Set between the Pyrenees Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, the Costa Brava has more than ten golf courses and plenty of excellent holiday accommodation to choose from. Reasonable green fees are a bonus. And you can visit most times of the year and expect sunny weather and good playing conditions. As well as golf, you have any number of lovely beaches, and a selection of charming old towns and villages that have lots of dining and shopping options.
Club de Golf Costa Brava ------------------------ This moderately sloped course, with its fairways of varied widths, is considered not too challenging. Course architect Hamilton Stutt used the existing cork oaks, olives, and pines to good effect in the design, and the main difficulties involve working you way around, or over, these trees, and avoiding the two artificial lakes. Mostly it is a chip shot that gets you onto the greens. The final hole ends in a bay by the sea. The grand old clubhouse, dating from 1841, is the prefect place to relax in and dine after the game. Or you may choose to practise your shots on the driving range, or take a lesson at the golf school.
Golf d'Aro Mas Nou ------------------ One of the Costa Brava's oldest courses, this woodland course, with its pines, cork oaks and olives, is set in the Gavarres mountains, 300 m above sea level, with panoramic views of the Costa Brava. Accuracy and low handicap skills are required to stay out of the vegetation lining two-thirds of the fairways, and to make it across the deep ravines. If the wind is up, you may prefer to hit balls on the driving range, or to cool your heels in the clubhouse until conditions improve. Here you'll find a restaurant, changing rooms, and a sauna, as well as dining facilities. It is little wonder that the International Association of Golf Tour Operators chose this course as its 2000 Best Golf Destination.
Emporda ------- One of Europe's top 50 courses, scenic Emporda is immaculately kept, easy walking, and presents challenges for all levels of player. Several of the greens are long, and there are many water features to negotiate, but the designer, von Hagge, has placed mounds between fairways on holes without trees to create varied and exciting playing conditions. There is a golf school and driving range, and the clubhouse has a good bar and restaurant.
Golf Girona ----------- The Girona course sits well in its environment in the hills near Girona. All levels of player will enjoy this course - architect F.G Hawtree has used the terrain of an old olive orchard grove, and the location between two valleys to craft a distinctive course. Golf lessons are available, and there are pitching and putting greens, and a driving range. The clubhouse has a restaurant and bar.
Platja de Pals -------------- Arguably one of Spain's most prestigious courses and a classic designed by F.W Hawtree, there is something for everyone on the compact greens of this scenic course. However, watch out for low-hanging branches from the profusion of trees, since they can send your ball anywhere. Bunkers defend most greens. The clubhouse has a restaurant and superb views of the course and surrounds, and there is a driving range, putting and pitching greens, and a golf school.
Playing golf on the Costa Brava is a pleasure whichever course you decide to play, but a visit to one of our top 5 courses above will ensure a golfing experience of the highest order.
Written by
Rob Ritchie
Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for many publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. Teetimesanywhere.com offer discount tee times for all Costa Brava golf courses and allow you to quickly and easily book your golf on the Costa Brava online.