| Club Name | Olympic Golf Course |
| Designer | Gil Hanse, Jim Wagne, Amy Alcott |
| Par | 71 |
| Type | Inland Links |
| Length | 7,128 yards |
| Website | |
| Club Address | Avenida Moysés Castello Branco Filho, 700 3 Barra da Tijuca 4 Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22793-365 5 Brazil |
The Olympic Golf Course (Campo Olímpico de Golfe) is located within the Reserva de Marapendi nature reserve in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Designed by renowned American architect Gil Hanse, alongside Jim Wagner and Amy Alcott, the course was purpose-built for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, where golf made its historic return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.
The par-71 championship layout measures approximately 7,128 yards from the back tees and is set across sandy, dune-based terrain that gives it a distinctive sandbelt character. Wide fairways, expansive undulating greens and minimal rough encourage strategic play, while the open landscape allows the ever-present coastal winds to play a major role in how the course is tackled.
Unlike many championship venues, the Olympic Golf Course is open to the public. Owned by the City of Rio de Janeiro, it was created not only to host the Olympic Games but also to help grow the game of golf throughout Brazil. Today, it remains the city’s only public championship 18-hole course and has continued to host prestigious events, including the Brazilian Open and the State Open.
Golfers visiting Rio have the rare opportunity to play on an Olympic venue while enjoying a course that is both challenging and highly enjoyable. Tee times should be booked in advance, and visitors should note that the course closes one day each week for maintenance.
Hanse’s design at the Olympic Golf Course was built around retaining the natural contours and dune formations of the Marapendi reserve, rather than imposing significant earthworks on the site. The routing moves across open, sandy terrain dotted with native vegetation, giving the course a rustic, understated appearance in contrast to the more manicured parkland style typical of Rio’s older private clubs. Fairways are generous by modern championship standards, a deliberate design choice intended to keep the course playable for club golfers while still testing the world’s best players through firm, contoured greens that demand precise approach play.
The design philosophy draws explicit inspiration from Augusta National, favouring width from the tee combined with strategic difficulty around the greens. Bunkering is used sparingly but effectively, positioned to influence angles of approach rather than simply penalise wayward shots. Several holes were shaped with match-defining potential in mind, offering genuine risk and reward options for players willing to attack pins tucked behind slopes or hazards.
Wildlife is a notable feature of a round here, with capybaras, owls and caimans regularly seen around the course’s ponds and rough areas, a reminder of its setting within a protected coastal reserve. Rio’s prevailing winds, typically in the range of 10 to 15 miles per hour during the cooler months, add a further test, particularly on the more exposed holes toward the ocean side of the property.
Conditioning has improved steadily since the Olympics, with the course now presented to a standard consistent with year round public play. The overall experience is distinct from Rio’s traditional tree lined layouts: an open, breezy course with wide horizons, big skies and a design pedigree tied directly to one of golf’s most significant recent global moments.
The Olympic Golf Course clubhouse includes a restaurant and bar, along with locker rooms for players before and after their round. A pro shop on site stocks equipment and merchandise, and club rental is available for visitors who need to hire clubs.
Practice facilities include a driving range along with dedicated chipping and putting greens. A separate four hole, par 3 practice course allows less experienced players, or those wanting to warm up thoroughly, to work on their game before heading to the first tee, and there is a designated area for short game practice.
Caddies are available for rounds, and both golf carts and pull trolleys can be arranged on site. As a public facility, the course also runs golf lessons and introductory classes aimed at growing participation in the sport locally, in keeping with its stated legacy purpose following the 2016 Olympic Games.
BOOK YOUR GOLF TRIP WITH VOYAGES.GOLF
Planning a golf trip shouldn’t be harder than playing the course itself. Voyages.golf is an International specialist golf travel agency, built by golfers for golfers who want access to the world’s best courses without the booking headaches. Our services go well beyond golf, with curated travel services creating the best package to suit your needs as described by our thousands of travellers.
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We handle the details so you can focus on your game. Every itinerary is custom-built around the courses you want to play, with accommodation, transfers, and logistics coordinated to maximise your time on the greens. No budget stay-and-play, no minimum group sizes, no automated responses – just personalised service from golf travel specialists who understand what makes a great golf trip.
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Every Voyages.golf package starts with a minimum of two nights’ accommodation paired with your golf rounds, then builds from there based on your needs. Our comprehensive services include:
Tee Time Access
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Every Voyages.golf experience is custom-made to your specifications—no two itineraries are identical. To ensure we secure the best tee times and accommodation, especially at high-demand courses and destinations, we recommend starting the booking process well in advance. We will advise you on the best booking windows for in-demand locations.
Before reaching out, it helps to have clarity on your preferred travel dates and confirmed group members (who’s definitely in, who’s still deciding). This allows us to move quickly when availability opens at sought-after courses.
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