Jockey Club Argentino
The Jockey Club in San Isidro holds two of Alister MacKenzie's finest South American designs, the Red and the Blue, both opened in 1935 after the architect routed them on a visit to Buenos Aires. The Red hosted the 1970 World Cup and remains a benchmark of classical golf in Argentina.
Photo: Jockey Club via Google.
The verdict
The Jockey Club is the heart of classical golf in Argentina, home to two courses that Alister MacKenzie laid out on his 1930 visit to Buenos Aires, the Red, or Colorada, and the Blue, or Azul. Both opened in 1935, a year after the architect's death, and together they form one of the most important MacKenzie projects anywhere outside the famous courses of Britain, Australia and the United States.
The Red is the senior partner, a course of about 6,700 yards laid over predominantly flat ground that MacKenzie animated with mounding, subtle contour and strategic bunkering. It hosted the World Cup in 1970, when local hero Roberto de Vicenzo took the individual title and became a legend at the club. The Jockey Club is a private members club in the leafy suburb of San Isidro, so access for visitors is by introduction, but for the student of design it is essential Argentine golf.
Jockey Club Argentino at a glance
- Opened
- 1935
- Designer
- Alister MacKenzie
- Type
- Classical parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Red about 6,700 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, routing and history verified June 2026 from the Alister MacKenzie Society and leading course databases. MacKenzie routed the two courses on his 1930 visit and both opened in 1935; the Red plays to about 6,700 yards and the Blue is a par 72 of about 6,378 yards. The Jockey Club is a private members club with no published public green fee, so always confirm access arrangements directly before planning a visit.
The holes worth the trip
The Red course is a masterclass in making interest from gentle ground. MacKenzie had a largely flat site to work with, so he built movement into it, raising greens, shaping mounds and placing bunkers to ask questions of line and angle rather than simply length. The result is a course that looks benign and plays subtly difficult, where the right side of the fairway is worth far more than raw distance.
The Blue course has a character of its own, with holes 3 to 7 set across the road beside the club's celebrated horse racing track, several of them guarded by water. It is the more varied of the two in feel, and a fine course in its own right, often overshadowed only by the quality of its Red sibling.
What unites both is the MacKenzie philosophy, generous off the tee, demanding on and around the greens, and endlessly playable for members while still testing the best. The 1970 World Cup proved the Red could host the world's finest, and the courses remain beautifully kept benchmarks of South American golf.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club in San Isidro; visitor play is limited and generally by introduction through a member or a recognised club |
| Green fee | No published public green fee; any guest rate is arranged through the club, indicative 2026 |
| Booking | Arrange in advance through a member, your home club or a specialist; the two courses share the property so confirm which is in play |
| On the day | Caddies are part of the tradition; dress and etiquette of a classic members club are expected |
| Getting there | San Isidro in northern Greater Buenos Aires, about 30 minutes from the city centre and the domestic airport |
| Best months | September to April for the warm Buenos Aires golf season |
Access verified June 2026; the Jockey Club is private and policies change, so always confirm arrangements directly with the club or your trip planner before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in central Buenos Aires, in the hotels of Recoleta, Palermo and Puerto Madero, all within easy reach of San Isidro and full of the dining, culture and nightlife that make the city one of the great capitals to visit. A city base puts the Jockey Club and its neighbours within a short drive.
For a golf focused stay, the northern suburbs around San Isidro and Tigre keep the classic Buenos Aires courses close at hand. The Jockey Club sits naturally on a Buenos Aires golf tour alongside Olivos and the Buenos Aires Golf Club, a trio that tells the story of Argentine golf.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Jockey Club Argentino.
Build a Buenos Aires golf trip
Where access allows we arrange the introductions, pair the Jockey Club with the best of the Buenos Aires courses and book the city lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Jockey Club Argentino questions
Who designed the Jockey Club courses and when did they open?
Both the Red and the Blue courses at the Jockey Club were designed by Alister MacKenzie, who routed them on his 1930 visit to Buenos Aires. Both opened in 1935, a year after his death.
What is the par and length of the Jockey Club Red course?
The Red, or Colorada, course plays to about 6,700 yards over gentle ground, animated by MacKenzie mounding, contour and strategic bunkering. The Blue, or Azul, is a par 72 of about 6,378 yards.
Has the Jockey Club hosted major events?
Yes. The Red course hosted the 1970 World Cup, when Argentine hero Roberto de Vicenzo won the individual title to delight the home crowd.
Can visitors play the Jockey Club?
The Jockey Club is a private members club in San Isidro. Visitor play is limited and generally arranged by introduction through a member, a home club or a specialist, so confirm access well in advance.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, routing and host history verified June 2026. The Jockey Club is private; confirm access directly. Last reviewed June 2026.