Chapelco Golf
Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II designed Chapelco in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, their first course in the country. A par 72 of 7,163 yards laid among conifers, lakes and the peaks of the Andes, it is one of South America's most scenic rounds.
Photo: Chapelco Golf & Resort via Google.
The verdict
Chapelco Golf and Resort sits a few miles from San Martin de los Andes, a handsome alpine town deep in Argentine Patagonia, framed by the snow capped peaks of the Andes. It was the first Argentine design from Jack Nicklaus, who worked here with his son Jack Nicklaus II, a parkland par 72 stretching to 7,163 yards through stands of conifers and around mountain water.
The setting alone earns its place on a South American golf trip, but the course holds up on its own merits, deep greens, classic Nicklaus shaping and a routing that uses the elevation and the lakes for both drama and strategy. With a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 137, it gives the better player plenty to think about while rewarding everyone with the scenery of Patagonia at every turn.
Chapelco at a glance
- Opened
- 2003
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus, Jack Nicklaus II
- Type
- Mountain parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,163 yds
- Green fee
- Resort, seasonal
Designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Chapelco Golf and Resort, Nicklaus Design and leading course databases. The course was the Nicklaus team's first in Argentina, opening in the early 2000s, a parkland par 72 of about 7,163 yards with a rating of 72.9 and slope of 137. Resort and visitor green fees vary by season, with the southern summer the peak window, indicative 2026. Always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Chapelco plays as a true championship parkland, the fairways defined by tall conifers and the occasional lake, the greens large and well contoured in the Nicklaus manner. The mountain air and elevation change the way the ball flies, and the routing makes the most of the rolling terrain, with tee shots that climb and fall against a backdrop of Andean peaks.
Water comes into play on several holes, framing greens and forcing decisions off the tee, while the bunkering is strategic rather than penal, asking for position over power. The par 3s are a highlight, each set against the mountains, and the par 5s tempt the long hitter to take on the carries.
It is a course best savoured slowly, both for the golf and the views, and the firm, cool conditioning of the southern summer gives it a crisp, true playing surface. A round at Chapelco is as much an experience of Patagonia as a test of golf.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visiting golfers and resort guests; the season follows the southern summer |
| Green fee | Seasonal resort and visitor green fees, highest in the peak summer months, indicative 2026 |
| Booking | Book through the resort or a South America golf operator; the playing season runs roughly October to April |
| On the day | Carts available; the mountain setting and elevation make for a memorable but energetic walk |
| Getting there | About 20 minutes from San Martin de los Andes and Chapelco Airport, in the Neuquen lake district of Patagonia |
| Best months | December to March for the warm, dry heart of the Patagonian summer, with long daylight hours |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; Chapelco is a seasonal mountain resort and rates change, so always confirm directly with the resort or your operator before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base in San Martin de los Andes, a charming alpine town of timber chalets, good restaurants and lakeside views, a short drive from the first tee. The resort itself also offers on site lodging for those who want golf on the doorstep amid the mountains.
For a golf focused trip, the Neuquen lake district rewards a few unhurried days, pairing Chapelco with the scenery, the trout rivers and the mountain air of Patagonia. It is an ideal anchor for a South America golf itinerary that values setting as much as scorecard.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Chapelco.
Build a Patagonia golf trip
We arrange the Chapelco tee times, pair them with the best of the Patagonian lake district and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Chapelco questions
Who designed Chapelco and when did it open?
Chapelco was designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II, their first course in Argentina, opening in the early 2000s near San Martin de los Andes in Patagonia.
What is the par and length of Chapelco?
Chapelco is a parkland par 72 of about 7,163 yards, with a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 137, set among conifers, lakes and the peaks of the Andes.
Can visitors play Chapelco?
Yes. Chapelco is a resort course open to visiting golfers and resort guests, with a season that follows the southern summer. Book through the resort or a specialist operator in advance.
When is the best time to play Chapelco?
December to March, the heart of the Patagonian summer, brings warm, dry days and long daylight. The playing season runs roughly from October to April.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.