South American Good but Affordable Golf Destinations near big airports/cities?

[shadymg]

Didn't see South America as a region group in the forums, so posting here. Looking to travel somewhere in South America during Q1 of next year, January-March, with a buddy of mine where he/we need the dollar to go far. Needs to be cities which American Airlines flies to, but that's actually quite a few countries/cities. Anyone have insights to what are some good (or just as important, bad) locations to go to for golf in south America?

 

Some countries/cities that I've looked at for affordable flights but I know nothing about the golf (weather seems okay during Q1):

• Lima, Peru
• Bogota, Colombia
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Sao Paolo, Brazil

 

Any recommendations/thoughts would be awesome, thank you!

[shadymg]

I love how golf brings back topics from a while ago lol. Found a post I made 2 years ago, and @chano14 had this great feedback on Buenos Aires. If he's still around, maybe he or others can comment?

Quote

n Argentina golf is very affordable, but is a rare case in latin america.

 

In Buenos Aires, you can play PILARA GOLF CLUB a Nicklaus Signature Course, home of 2018 Argentina Open (PGA Latam Tour) for less than 20USD on weekdays. It s crazy cheap

Buenos Aires has too many public golf courses (+80 within one hour of the city centre). The offer is so big, that public courses like PILARA, cannot charge you 200USD because it would be empty. There are just 5-6 clubs that are completely private that you cannot play even on weekdays.

 

I ve played more than 25 courses around the world (Trump Doral, TPC Sawgrass, Le Golf National, PGA National, The European Club, Carton House, Olympic Course in Rio) I can tell you in Buenos Aires you can find 7-8 courses in superb shape and with interesting designs (old school english courses, nicklaus-style modern courses) that will definetely worth the money.

 

In Patagonia, in the lakes area, you have 3 Courses: "Chapelco Golf" (nicklaus, PGA Latam), "El Desafio" (Greg Norman, finishing back 9, absolutely spectacular) and "Arelauquen" that are 3 solid courses, in great shape and located in beautifull valleys in the mountains and you will not pay more than 30-40usd a round

 

There are some other great courses in Argentina and I don´t think you will pay more than 40-50usd in any of them. But again Argentina is a rare exception.

 

[klebs01]

I would not recommend bogota. It’s cold and not the safest city. Haven’t been to Sao Paolo, so no comment.
 

Buenos Aires is very nice. Played golf for about $10 including rental clubs in the nice part of the city by all the parks. Slow greens but cool vibe. No carts. I was at the end of a motorcycle trip so I didn’t look any further than that muni. I was also able to have a nice steak dinner and bottle of wine for about $20 each night. Can’t beat the value. 

 

Lima could work. Great weather. Don’t recall it being as cheap as BA though. Mira Flores is a very nice part of town. I don’t recall much if any golf there, though I know there is at least one club in town. 
 

As mentioned above, Patagonia is a great option. Baraloche should be easy to get to. If you can, try to get down to El Calafate and do a hike on the perito Moreno glacier. Absolutely epic. 

Edited October 29, 2021 by klebs01

[golfday]

What about Rio de Janeiro and play the course from the 2016 Olympics?

[payerasjl]

Bogota has incredible golf but unfortunately it’s all private.

[payerasjl]

The above statement applies to Lima as well and I’m pretty sure it’s representative of most golf in South America. 

[shadymg]

What a bummer! Well, appreciate everyone for taking the time, but i think the conclusion is not going to south america for golf lol. Such a shame. I tried reaching out to a couple private courses in several different cities to see if they offered anything for foreigners, and didn't even get a single response. Oh well.