Club de Golf Los Leones Golf Course

— About

About Club de Golf Los Leones Golf Course

Club de Golf Los Leones is Chile's most prestigious and historic golf club, founded in 1913 in the Vitacura district of eastern Santiago — the city's most affluent residential zone. The course occupies a prime site in the Santiago metropolitan area, where the Andes loom dramatically to the east and provide a spectacular mountain backdrop that elevates the visual experience far beyond the typical urban golf course. Los Leones has been the centre of Chilean golf life for over a century, hosting the country's most important amateur and professional events, including the Chilean Open on multiple occasions. The layout is classic parkland — mature trees, immaculate fairways, and greens that reward precision approach play — on terrain that provides gentle but meaningful elevation changes within the Santiago bowl. Access is restricted to members and guests, reflecting the club's position at the apex of Chilean private golf. The clubhouse is one of Santiago's most architecturally significant sports facilities, preserving over a century of Chilean sporting and social history.

— History

History of Club de Golf Los Leones

Club de Golf Los Leones was founded in 1913 in the Vitacura district of Santiago by members of Chile's British merchant and Chilean landowning elite who had encountered the game through commercial and diplomatic connections with Britain. The club's name — Los Leones, meaning The Lions — reflected the founding members' association with the lion imagery of British institutions. The course evolved through the early twentieth century, with the mature tree planting that now defines its corridor character taking decades to develop. The Chilean Open has been staged at Los Leones on multiple occasions, and the club has maintained its position as the apex of Chilean golf society for over a century despite competition from newer courses in the city.

— Signature Holes

Signature Holes at Club de Golf Los Leones

The par-4 6th at Los Leones is the course's most celebrated hole — a medium-length driving hole where the Andes form a dramatic eastern backdrop and the tree corridor narrows the landing zone sufficiently to demand accuracy from players of all standards. The par-3 12th plays across a natural hollow to a green set against a stand of mature trees that have been growing since the 1920s — the oldest tree-framed short hole in Chilean golf. The par-4 18th finishes toward the century-old clubhouse with an approach that demands precise distance control to a well-bunkered green, closing the round with the club's most architecturally significant building as the backdrop.

— Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit Club de Golf Los Leones

October through March is Santiago's summer and the optimal golf season — long, sunny days with temperatures of 22–32°C and minimal rain. April and May bring autumn colours to the trees and pleasantly cool temperatures of 15–22°C. June through August is Santiago's winter, with occasional frost on the plateau and the Andes covered in snow — the visual backdrop is at its most spectacular but morning starts can be cold. The Andes are clearest from April through October before summer haze builds.

— Practical Tips

Tips for Playing Club de Golf Los Leones

Los Leones is a private members' club — visitor access requires a member introduction or affiliation letter from a comparable club. Green fees are not publicly listed. The club is in Vitacura, approximately 30 minutes from Santiago International Airport in moderate traffic. Caddies are available. Santiago's wine country — Maipo Valley (Concha y Toro) and Casablanca Valley — is accessible within an hour of the city, making wine tasting an ideal complement to a golf visit.

— Highlights

Why Play Club de Golf Los Leones

• ▸ Founded 1913 in Vitacura — Chile's oldest and most prestigious private golf club
• ▸ Andes Mountains rise dramatically to the east — one of South America's most iconic urban golf backdrops
• ▸ Host of the Chilean Open on multiple occasions — the country's premier professional event
• ▸ Located in Santiago's most exclusive residential district with a century-old clubhouse
• ▸ Classic parkland design with mature trees and precision approach shots to well-bunkered greens

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Club de Golf Los Leones

Can visitors play Club de Golf Los Leones?

Los Leones is a private members' club — access requires a member invitation or letter from an affiliated home club. Contact the club secretary to arrange visitor access.

When was Club de Golf Los Leones founded?

The club was founded in 1913 in Vitacura, making it over 110 years old and Chile's oldest and most prestigious private golf club.

What professional events has Los Leones hosted?

Club de Golf Los Leones has hosted the Chilean Open — the country's premier professional championship — on multiple occasions throughout its history.

Can you see the Andes from Los Leones?

Yes — the Andes are visible from most holes at Los Leones, rising dramatically to the east of the course. The views are clearest from April through October before summer haze builds in the Santiago basin.