The Complete Guide to Golf in Colombia (2026)

Courses, designers, regions, history, and everything you need to know to play golf in one of the most surprising destinations in the world.

Colombia has approximately 55 golf courses in 9 regions, from Jack Nicklaus designs on the Caribbean to courses at 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) altitude in the Andes. This guide covers all courses, designers, regions, and the history of Colombian golf, with practical information for planning a golf trip.

Updated: April 2026 · By Pelecanus — Golf Tour Operator in Colombia — IAGTO Members

1. Colombia as a Golf Destination: The Big Picture

When you think of golf destinations, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, or the United States probably come to mind. Colombia rarely enters the conversation. Yet this South American country has approximately 55 golf courses, designs by Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Pete Dye, a 365-day golf season, and a geographic diversity that allows you to play from sea level on the Caribbean to 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) altitude in the Andes — all in a single trip.

Arnold Palmer won one of his first professional victories here in 1956. The World Cup of Professional Golf was held in Bogotá in 1980. And in April 2026, María José Marín, a 19-year-old from Cali, became the first Colombian to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Golf in Colombia has always existed. The world simply wasn’t watching. That’s changing.

2. Golf in Colombia by the Numbers

3. History of Golf in Colombia

Golf arrived in Colombia in the early 20th century with British and North American influence. Key milestones:

1945 — San Andrés Golf Club (Bogotá): Designed by legendary Canadian architect Stanley Thompson, this club was conceived as a tribute to the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. It is one of the oldest courses in the country.

1956 — Arnold Palmer wins the Colombian Open: A young Arnold Palmer traveled to Cali to compete in the Colombian Open, held at Club Campestre de Cali. He won the tournament, one of his first professional victories. Club Campestre de Cali remains active and has been nominated for the World Golf Awards.

1957 — Club El Rincón de Cajicá: Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed this 7,464-yard championship course on the outskirts of Bogotá. More than six decades later, it remains one of the best courses in South America.

1979 — Pete Dye in Pereira: The celebrated architect Pete Dye designed Club Campestre de Pereira in the Coffee Region. Strategic bunkers, elevation changes, and capybaras strolling the fairways.

1980 — World Cup of Golf in Bogotá: Club El Rincón hosted the World Cup of Professional Golf, putting Colombia on the international golf map.

1997 — Jack Nicklaus in Santander: Nicklaus designed Ruitoque Golf Country Club in Bucaramanga. Today it is ranked among the top 5 courses in South America.

2012 — Karibana Links in Cartagena: Jack Nicklaus signed this course on the Caribbean coast, which has hosted PGA Tour events (formerly TPC Cartagena) and Korn Ferry Tour.

4. The 6 Golf Regions of Colombia

What makes golf in Colombia unique is the possibility of experiencing up to 6 distinct climate regions in a single trip. Each zone offers completely different landscapes, altitudes, and playing conditions.

Note: Courses with detailed descriptions are part of the Pelecanus portfolio (23 courses with confirmed access in 6 regions). Additional courses in each region are documented as a reference for Colombian golf.

5. World-Class Architects in Colombia

Few countries in the world can boast having designs by Nicklaus, Trent Jones, Dye, and Thompson on their soil. Colombia is one of them.

6. The Altitude Factor: Physics in Your Favor

In Bogotá (2,600 meters / 8,530 ft) and especially at La Cima (3,000 meters / 9,843 ft), the air is significantly thinner than at sea level. This means less aerodynamic drag on the golf ball, which translates to 10-15% more distance on every shot.

A 7-iron that normally travels 150 yards at sea level can reach 165-170 yards in Bogotá. At La Cima, the effect is even more pronounced.

But it’s not all extra distance. Altitude also affects spin, trajectory, and putt behavior. Playing golf in the Andes is a completely different experience from any course you’ve played before.

And the best part: you can play at sea level on the Caribbean coast on Monday, and at 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) in the Andes on Wednesday. Same country, completely different game.

7. Notable Colombian Golfers

Camilo Villegas — The “Spider-Man”

Born in Medellín in 1982, Villegas is known worldwide for his iconic stance when reading greens. He was the first Colombian to win on the PGA Tour, winning the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship consecutively in 2008. By age 16, he had already won the Colombian Amateur Grand Slam. In 2023, after the devastating loss of his daughter Mia, he returned to win the Bermuda Championship — one of the most emotional victories in recent PGA Tour history.

Sebastián Muñoz — From Bogotá to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf

Born in Bogotá in 1993, Muñoz played college golf at the University of North Texas. In 2019 he won the Sanderson Farms Championship — the first Colombian victory on the PGA Tour since Villegas. In the 2021-22 season, he became the first PGA Tour player to record two rounds of 60 or less in the same season. He currently competes on LIV Golf.

María José Marín — The New Generation

Born in Cali, Marín won the NCAA Individual Championship in 2025 and, in April 2026, made history by becoming the first Colombian to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She set the tournament record at 14-under par (rounds of 65-69-68), winning by 4 strokes. Her father José — an amateur golfer and builder from Cali — was her caddie. She plays for the University of Arkansas.

With Villegas, Muñoz, and Marín, Colombia has three generations of golf talent competing simultaneously on the world stage.

8. International Tournaments in Colombia

PGA Tour Americas — Inter Rapidísimo Golf Championship

Club El Rincón de Cajicá has been the PGA Tour Americas venue for 4 consecutive years (2023-2026). The 2026 tournament will be held June 11-14, as part of the Latin America Swing.

Other Notable Tournaments

Colombia has also hosted Korn Ferry Tour events at Karibana (Cartagena) and multiple Latin American circuit tournaments. The Colombian Golf Federation (Fedegolf) organizes a complete calendar of national competitions throughout the year.

9. Awards and Recognition

The World Golf Awards annually recognize the best golf course in each country. In Colombia, a revealing fact is that three different courses have won in three consecutive years:

The fact that the prize rotates among different courses each year speaks to the depth and quality of Colombian golf. There is no single dominant course — there are multiple world-class options.

10. How to Play Golf in Colombia as a Foreigner

There is something fundamental that every international golfer must know before planning a golf trip to Colombia: the best courses are private clubs.

You can’t simply book a tee time online as you would in Spain or the United States. Most clubs require an introduction from a member or an authorized operator.

That’s why it’s essential to work with a local golf operator that has access to these clubs. A good operator will take care of:

• Managing access to private clubs on your behalf
• Coordinating tee times and caddies (mandatory at most clubs)
• Organizing transportation between regions
• Designing personalized itineraries combining golf with cultural experiences
• Handling logistics in a country where communication with clubs is mostly done via WhatsApp

Pelecanus has access to 23 courses in the country’s 6 golf regions and is a certified IAGTO member (International Association of Golf Tour Operators).

11. Best Time to Visit

Colombia has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry and rainy. But thanks to geographic diversity, there is always a region in dry season.

Bogotá & the Sabana: Best December to March and June to August (dry season). Temperature: 14-20°C (57-68°F).

Caribbean Coast (Cartagena): Best December to April. Temperature: 28-32°C (82-90°F).

Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero): Best June to August and December to February. Temperature: 18-25°C (64-77°F).

Medellín: Spring-like weather year-round. Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F). Playable any month.

In practice, you can play golf in Colombia 365 days a year. Even during the rainy season, rainfall is usually in the afternoon and short-lived.

12. Logistics and Air Connections

Colombia has excellent air connections with Latin America and Europe:

From Argentina: Direct flights Buenos Aires-Bogotá (Avianca, LATAM). Approximately 7 hours.
From Chile: Direct flights Santiago-Bogotá (Avianca, LATAM). Approximately 6 hours.
From Mexico: Direct flights Mexico City-Bogotá (Avianca, Aeroméxico). Approximately 4.5 hours.
From Spain: Direct flights Madrid-Bogotá (Iberia, Avianca). Approximately 10 hours.

Once in Colombia, domestic connections are frequent and affordable. Bogotá-Cartagena: 1.5 hours. Bogotá-Medellín: 1 hour. Bogotá-Pereira: 45 minutes. Bogotá-Bucaramanga: 1 hour.

A typical 7-day golf itinerary with 3 destinations:

• Day 1-3: Bogotá — El Rincón (RTJ Sr.), Serrezuela (Nicklaus), La Cima (altitude)
• Day 4-5: Coffee Region — Pereira (Pete Dye) + coffee tour and cultural landscape
• Day 6-7: Cartagena — Karibana (Nicklaus) + walled city

Related Content

• Golf at 2,600 meters (8,530 ft): what to expect in Bogotá
• Karibana: the Nicklaus Signature of the Caribbean
• The Nicklaus Courses of Colombia
• Golf and coffee: Coffee Region itinerary
• How to play at private clubs without being a member
• Caddie Culture at Colombian Clubs
• The most spectacular holes in the country
• PGA Tour Americas in Colombia
• Wildlife you will see on the golf courses

Frank Spitzer

Golf Tour Operator • IAGTO Member • RNT 171769

Frank runs the only specialized golf tour operation in Colombia, with direct access to 23 courses verified on the ground. From Bogota he coordinates itineraries that combine golf, gastronomy, and nature in a country with over 50 courses from sea level to 9,843 ft (3,000 m) altitude.