Playing a Round: Golf on the Costa Brava
For golf enthusiasts, the most enjoyable way to spend a few hours is on a leisurely stroll over gentle hills through cool pine woods, across sand banks and past the odd lake or two, equipped with a set of golf clubs and a good supply of balls.
The Costa Brava is home to seven 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. Since then, 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 golf professional Toby Marsden. Individual clubs have received 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—what better way to relax after a satisfying or frustrating performance than over a drink among 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 calendar expect to pay more during the high season. High season is generally classed as weekends all year round, public holidays and 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.
For a taster, Pitch & Putt Gualta in Baix Empordà offers “open lessons” for groups Tuesday through Sunday for a very reasonable fee of €9.00. Individual private lessons start at €54, but the best value for money is to book longer group sessions, which reduces the per-person rate considerably. Blocks of six hours for one to four players cost from €304 to €440. The practice area includes a 250-meter driving range to get to grips with that elusive full swing needed for tee and fairway shots, a bunker to practice tricky shots, a pitching area and an 18-hole putting green.
Once players feel ready to put their new-found skills into practice they can play nine holes or a full 18-hole round on the par-three course, complete with bunkers, lakes and large greens.
Other pitch and putt courses include Mas Pagès Golf in Santa Esteve de Guialbes, which has beginners' clinics for groups of a minimum of 10 people at €10 an hour per person for lessons from one to six hours; and Golf Club Peralada which, in addition to an 18-hole par 71 course, has a nine hole pitch and putt course.
Experts
Experienced golfers are spoiled for choice with a variety of testing 18-hole courses spread across the region.
Pals is home to both the newest and oldest clubs in the Costa Brava: Serres de Pals and Golf de Pals. Inaugurated in 2000, Serres de Pals reopened its doors in June 2023 with nine par 36 holes that run through rice fields, vineyards and olive trees. It is among the largest courses on the Costa Brava with a total distance of 6,263 meters. As it's quite an open course, a windy day can make for a very challenging game; water is present on five holes. Golf de Pals is one of two coastal courses and it’s a relatively flat and pretty par 73 which calls for straight hitting on the narrow pine-lined fairways.
Slightly further down the coast is Golf d'Aro-mas Nou, built in the hills overlooking Platja d'Aro. Precision is needed on this undulating course, as in addition to the two man-made lakes and many ravines waiting to catch wayward balls, the spectacular views can be a potential distraction.
In Gualta, to the east of Girona, Empordà Golf Club has two separate 18-hole courses. The links course, which is used for competitions (including the PGA Qualifying School European Tour Final), has lots of dunes, water hazards and strategically placed bunkers. Although there are a few lakes on the forest course, the main danger lies in the pine trees that line each fairway.
Further north, in Alt Empordà, is TorreMirona Golf Club, which has a championship par 72 golf course and luxury facilities like a spa. For many regular players, the best test of skill is Camiral Golf & Wellness (formerly PGA Golf de Catalunya) in Caldes de Malavella, the longest course in the Costa Brava with a total distance of 6,588 meters. The course, which is popular with the pros and ranked by Golf World Magazine as one of the top 10 in Europe, is characterized by its difficulty. There are five tee positions so players of all levels of handicap can play.
All Costa Brava clubs accept green fees from non-members but advanced booking is advisable to secure your desired tee time. Prices for each club vary considerably, ranging between €17 and €68 for nine holes and €43 and €186 for a complete round of 18 holes, depending on the season. Most clubs offer discounts for groups, seniors, juniors and members of other clubs. All players must hold valid handicap certifications. For individual course and slope ratings, dress codes and membership details, contact the clubs.
Courses for Kids
With the very long school holidays here it can be difficult to think up new fun ways to keep the little ones entertained and burn off some of that never-ending energy.
Although most golf clubs run private individual lessons designed specifically for juniors, they can be an expensive introduction to the sport and there are plenty of cheaper alternatives where golf is sometimes combined with other games.
Serres de Pals has a summer camp featuring weekday morning sessions filled with golf, paddle ball, volleyball, football and other sporting activities for €189 a week. During the rest of the year you can buy your budding golfer lessons in packs of 10 one-hour classes for €350 for one-on-one classes, €390 for two kids and €480 for three.
At Camiral Golf & Wellness, for €70 to €80 a month year-round, children get lessons every Saturday that focus on the rules of the game, skills development, golf etiquette and having fun. There is also a more intensive golf camp offered in the summer for ages 6-16 that has classes in the mornings, Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 for €270 a week.
Gualta Pitch and Putt offers one-hour junior lessons on weekends for children throughout the year at a cost of just €10 per person.
Keep in mind that course details are subject to change, so for age limits, dates and pricing be sure to contact the clubs directly.
More Info
Gualta Pitch & Putt
Considered a course for both beginners and experienced golfers, Gualta's par-three pitch and putt course has 18 holes and distances that vary between 70 and 120 meters. gualta.com | Carretera Torroella de Montgrí a Parlavà, Km. 0.5, 17257 Gualta, Girona Province | Tel. 972 76 03 38
Mas Pagès Golf
Mas Pagès Golf has an 18-hole par-three course approved and federated by the Catalan Golf Federation and an 18-hole pitch and putt course. maspages.com | Mas Pagès s/n, 17468 Sant Esteve de Guialbes, Girona Province | Tel. 972 56 10 01
Golf Club Peralada
The Peralada Golf Club features a nine-hole pitch and putt course with double tees and distances that vary between 44 and 108 meters as well as an 18-hole par 71 course. golfperalada.com | Carrer de Rocabertí, s/n, 17491 Peralada, Girona Province | Tel. 972 53 82 87
Golf Serres de Pals
Designed by Ramon Espinosa, Golf Serres de Pals has an 18-hole par 72 course, and a total length of 6,263 meters which spreads across areas of Mediterranean forests and lakes. serresdepals.com | Mas Gelabert, 17256, Girona Province | Tel. 972 11 71 06
Golf de Pals
Opened in 1966, Golf de Pals is the oldest golf course in Catalunya. In 1972 the first tournament of the PGA European Tour was held here, followed by numerous amateur and professional championships since then. golfdepals.com | Carrer del Golf, 64, 17256 Pals, Girona Province | Tel. 972 66 77 39
Club Golf d'Aro-Mas Nou
Founded in 1990, this course was designed by the prestigious architect Ramón Espinosa. It covers an area of over 60 hectares overlooking the Natural Park of les Gavarres with spectacular views of the mountains and the sea. This course has a spectacular 18-hole, par 72 championship course and a nine-hole pitch and putt course. golfdaro.com | Urbanització Mas Nou, s/n, 17250 Platja d'Aro, Girona Province | Tel. 972 81 67 27
TorreMirona Golf Club
Surrounded by fields and forests, the 18-hole par 72 course at TorreMirona Golf Club was designed by Eugenio Aguado and Jordi Soler. Undulating greens, bunkers, lakes, complicated drops and narrow fairways challenge even the most skilled golfer on this pro course. TorreMirona is complemented by a wide range of sporting activities including paddle tennis, tennis and football, as well as a wide range of adventure activities such as horse riding and quad biking. golftorremirona.com | Carretera N-260, Km. 46, 17744 Navata, Girona Province | Tel 972 55 37 37
Empordà Golf Club
Renovated in 2021, Empordà Golf Club has two world-class 18-hole courses designed by renowned American architect Robert von Hagge. The Empordà Links course features lakes, dunes and bunkers while the Empordà Forest course meanders among pines and lakes. empordagolfclub.com | Carretera Palafrugell a Torroella de Montgrí Km. 345, 17257 Torroella de Montgrí, Girona Province | Tel. 972 76 04 50
Camiral Golf & Wellness
Camiral Golf & Wellness may well be the most luxurious resort on the Costa Brava. Designed by Neil Coles and Ángel Gallardo, it’s home to two championship 18-hole courses with rolling hills, narrow fairways and an abundance of water. Famous for having the longest course in the region, the circuit is accessible to all levels, from beginners to pros. camiral.com | Carretera N-II km 701. 17455 Caldes de Malavella, Girona Province | Tel. 972 47 25 77
Published July 15, 2010, updated September 7, 2023.