Puerta de Hierro (Abajo)

This Robert Trent Jones Jnr course in Madrid is part of a 'members and their guests' club in the north western outskirts of Madrid. Puerta de Hierro was established in the early 1900s, when its Arriba course was laid out by Harry Colt and then revised by Tom Simpson. But it wasn't until 1998 that RTJ Jnr was bright in to add a second course to a club whose names translates as Iron Gate and refers to the former ceremonial entrance to the Royal Park of El Pardo. Abajo itself translates as 'the lower' but some on our panel believe it to be superior to the historic Arriba. As our Spanish ranking suggests, there is little to choose between them other than history. The Abajo is an easy-walking parkland among mature trees with stand-out bunkering and a muscular test. It is in in phenomenal condition.