Olivos Golf Club
Olivos, founded by thirty golfers in 1926 and built out to 27 holes by Alister MacKenzie shaper Luther Koontz in 1952, is often called the Augusta National of Argentina. Its par 72 White and Red combination has ranked as the country's second best course.
Photo: Andres Mariani via Google.
The verdict
Olivos Golf Club traces its roots to 1926, when a group of thirty golfers founded the club, and its modern character to 1952, when Luther Koontz, a shaper who had worked with Alister MacKenzie, laid out the 27 hole course on the plains northwest of Buenos Aires. The pedigree shows in the strategic shaping and the conditioning, which have earned Olivos a reputation as one of the finest courses in the country.
The three nines, the White, the Red and the Blue, combine into beautifully kept tree lined holes with several attractive elevation changes and water in play on a number of them. The White and Red combination has been rated Argentina's second best course, and the club has hosted the Argentine Open and the Argentine Masters more than once. Olivos is private, so visitor play is by arrangement, but the quality places it firmly on any serious Buenos Aires golf tour.
Olivos Golf Club at a glance
- Founded
- 1926
- Designer
- Luther Koontz, 1952
- Type
- Parkland, 27 holes
- Par
- 72 (White and Red)
- Yardage
- Up to about 7,126 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
History, designer and routing verified June 2026 from leading course databases. The club was founded in 1926 and Luther Koontz, a MacKenzie shaper, laid out the 27 hole course in 1952; the championship combination plays to a par 72 of up to about 7,126 yards across the White, Red and Blue nines. Olivos 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
Olivos plays across three distinct nines, the White, the Red and the Blue, which combine to give members variety and the club flexibility for tournaments. The land has more movement than the flat ground common around Buenos Aires, and Koontz used the gentle elevation changes and mature trees to frame the holes and reward the player who works the ball into the right position.
Water comes into play on a handful of holes and the bunkering, more than 70 in total, is placed to test the line off the tee and the nerve on the approach. The greens are the defense, true and quick, and it is here that the comparison to Augusta National is most often drawn, in the demand for precise approach play and deft putting.
The White and Red combination is the one the rankings and the championships favour, a par 72 that has tested the best in the Argentine Open and the Argentine Masters. For the visiting golfer it is a chance to play a course that locals hold in the very highest regard, beautifully presented and quietly demanding.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; 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; confirm which nines are in play |
| On the day | Caddies are part of the tradition; dress and etiquette of a classic members club are expected |
| Getting there | Ingeniero Pablo Nogues in northwest Greater Buenos Aires, about 45 minutes from the city centre |
| Best months | September to April for the warm Buenos Aires golf season |
Access verified June 2026; Olivos 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, with the city's dining and culture on the doorstep and the northern golf clubs within a drive. A city base keeps Olivos and its neighbours easily reachable.
For a golf focused stay, the northern and northwestern suburbs put the classic Buenos Aires courses close at hand. Olivos sits naturally on a Buenos Aires golf tour alongside the Jockey Club and the Buenos Aires Golf Club.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Olivos Golf Club.
Build a Buenos Aires golf trip
Where access allows we arrange the introductions, pair Olivos 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.
Olivos Golf Club questions
Who designed Olivos Golf Club?
Olivos was founded in 1926, and the 27 hole course was laid out in 1952 by Luther Koontz, a shaper who had worked with Alister MacKenzie.
What is the par and length of Olivos Golf Club?
Olivos has three nines, the White, Red and Blue. The championship White and Red combination is a par 72 of up to about 7,126 yards, with more than 70 bunkers and water on several holes.
Why is Olivos called the Augusta National of Argentina?
The nickname reflects the conditioning, the demand for precise approach play and deft putting, and the standing of the club, whose White and Red combination has ranked as Argentina's second best course.
Can visitors play Olivos Golf Club?
Olivos is a private members club. Visitor play is limited and generally arranged by introduction through a member, a home club or a specialist, so confirm access well in advance.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, designer and routing verified June 2026. Olivos is private; confirm access directly. Last reviewed June 2026.