VISITING

The Costa Brava is home to nine main golf courses and with the addition of a sprinkling of pitch and putt courses, there is something for everybody, from those who have never teed off to handicap players of all levels and even professionals.

The majority of the courses here are relatively new compared to those in other parts of Spain and in 2001 the Costa Brava won the prestigious IAGTO (International Association of Gold Tour Operators) Emerging Golf Destination Award. Five years on, the popularity of the sport in the region has grown considerably. "Golf in the Costa Brava is some of the best in Spain, if not Europe," says Toby Marsden, golf professional and editor of Catalonia Golf News. Individual clubs have recieved plenty of accolades and have hosted professional tournaments, including the Spanish Open and the Catalunya Ladies' Masters.

The designers - some of the finest in the business - have ensured that not only are the courses great to play on, but they fit in with the natural landscape. Measures are also taken to protect the habitats of indigenous flora and fauna.

Of course, apart from the fresh air, exercise and beautiful scenery, there's also the social side to golf, as the captain of the Pais Golfing Society, Roland Hoath notes. And what better way to relax after a satisfying or frustrating performance than over a drink amongst friends at the 19th hole?

When to Play

Golf is a year-round sport in the Costa Brava and although each club has its own season calender expect to pay more during high season. High season is generally classed as weekends all year round, public holidays and in some cases July and August while spring and autumn are mid-season and the rest of the year is low-season.

All golf clubs hire out the necessary equipment including full or half sets of clubs, trolleys and in some cases buggies.

Beginners

The best place to start is on a pitch and putt or a par three course, which has shorter distances between holes than on a regular size course. To begin to play, all you need is a pair of flat shoes, dedication, lots of patience and some lessons from a qualified golf pro. Beginners are taught the basics of correct grip, stance, posture, golfing lingo and drive, approach and bunker shots. The idea is to get a feel for each type of golf club and learn which ones are used for specific shots or played on different parts of the course.