Catalunya is home to some of the best golf courses in all of Spain, and the Empordà region in particular boasts some real gems. Most can be played year-round but spring and autumn are possibly the ideal times of year for those who just love to get out on the course. The weather is just about perfect and there are fewer people around. Perfect for playing a round (not “playing around”!).
A man is stranded on a desert island, all alone for 10 years. One day, he sees a speck on the horizon, getting closer and closer. Eventually, the speck approaches the beach and he sees it’s a beautiful woman in a wet suit. She comes up to him and asks, “How long has it been since you’ve had a smoke? “10 years” he replies. She unzips a waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. He lights one, takes a long drag, and says, “Man, that is so good!”. “How long has it been since you’ve had a drink of whiskey?” “The same”, said the man. She unzips a waterproof pocket on her other sleeve, pulls out a flask, and hands it to him. He takes a long swig and says, “Oh, that’s fantastic!” Then she starts unzipping the front of her wet suit and asks him, “And how long has it been since you’ve played around?” And the man replies, “Wow! Don’t tell me that you’ve got a set of golf clubs in there too!”
Golf courses in the Empordà
In the interests of avoiding repetition, clubs and trolleys are available to rent on all of these courses and all have driving ranges. With the exception of the two Par 3 courses, the handicap limit is 36 and a handicap certificate from your home club may be required. All are open all year round and have restaurants on site and visitors are welcome.
Because the green fees vary according to the day of the week, the season of the year or number of holes played etc, rather than try to include so much info in this short blog, instead click on the name of the club to go to the website of each individual golf course where you will be able to obtain up to date and correct green fee information.
So without further ado, let’s introduce you to some of the best courses in the Empordà, starting south and working our way northwards in the direction of the French border.
Club de Golf Costa Brava
Par 73 Location: Santa Cristina d’Aro
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Flat
Discounts: Juniors 50%
More info: Club de Golf Costa Brava
The fairways on the front 9 on this course are tree-lined and very picturesque but also relatively challenging, before the easier back 9 where the course opens out more. The clubhouse is a traditional Catalan farmhouse, or masía, that dates from the mid-17th century. It is located in the beautiful rolling countryside just outside the town of Santa Cristina d’Aro.
Club Golf d’Aro-Mas Nou
Par 72 Location: Platja d’Aro
Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Terrain: Undulating with water hazards
Discounts: Juniors under 18; Seniors over 55
More info: Club Golf d’Aro-Mas Nou
Only a couple of kilometres to the northeast, and situated in the hills above the town of Platja d’Aro, just about every hole on this course offers fantastic views over the Mediterranean Sea below. As well as the driving range, other facilities include a putting green, chipping green, pitching green and a practice bunker. Buggies and electro-trolleys are available for hire.
Camiral Golf & Wellness
Par 72 Location: Girona
Difficulty: Hard
Terrain: Hilly with water hazards
Discounts: Juniors
More info: Camiral Golf & Wellness
This course is the biggie! It’s marketed as “The Home of Golf in Catalunya” and Spain’s Number 1 course. Located just south of the city of Girona, this club contains two championship level 18 hole, Par 72 courses, along with the usual driving range, practice greens and bunker. There is a 5* star hotel on site, as well as a PGA Academy. Here you can opt to play 9, 18 or 36 holes, with the green fees varying depending on the season and whether you play the Tour Course or the Stadium Course. Caddies are available on request.
Golf de Pals
Par 73 Location: Pals
Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Terrain: Flat with water hazards
Discounts: Juniors U-18
More info: Golf de Pals
This one is the longest established course in the region and, despite being virtually on the coast, is characterized especially by trees and the bunkers that defend the greens. It runs almost alongside the beautiful Platja de Pals, and is only a short distance from the medieval village of Pals and its rice fields, so there is plenty in the area when you’ve finished playing. Here you can pay for 9 or 18 holes or, if feeling really enthusiastic, go for a day pass. Caddies can be hired and the usual choices of trollies or buggy can be rented.
Empordà Golf Club
Par 71 / 72 Location: Torroella de Montgrí
Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Terrain: Undulating with water hazards
Discounts: Juniors U-17
More info: Empordà Golf Club
This is really a course to suit everyone as there are 36 holes in all with four categories coded by colour with 9 holes each: Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. You can play any 9 holes you wish or choose to combine any two to make up your 18 holes. Advance booking is essential. The course is located about 3.5km southeast of the town of Torroella de Montgrí, and you can see the Castell de Montgrí on top of its mountain from many places as you walk around the course.
Par3 P&P Gualta
Par 54 Location: Gualta
Difficulty: Easy. No minimum handicap required
Terrain: Flat with water hazards
Discounts: –
More info: Par 3 P&P Gualta
Located about halfway between Torroella de Montgrí and the village of Gualta, right on the banks of the River Ter, this picturesque Par3 course, with its lakes and trees, combines the design and features of an 18 hole course with the shorter distances of a Par3.
Mas Pagès Golf i Pitch & Putt
Par 54 Location: Sant Esteve de Guialbes
Difficulty: Challenging
Terrain: Undulating
Discounts: –
More info: Mas Pagès Golf i Pitch & Putt
As Par 3 courses go, this one is a little more challenging than most, with deep bunkers and sloping greens. It’s located about 10km due east of the lake town of Banyoles, and the views here are only spectacular, especially in winter when the snow-capped Pyrenees can be clearly seen.
Torremirona Golf Club
Par 72 Location: Navata-Figueres
Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Terrain: Flat – undulating, with water hazards
Discounts: Juniors U-13: free Students U-21: 60%
More info: Torremirona Golf Club
Apart from the beautiful vistas of both the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, there is one feature of this course that may be of interest to some of you that none of the others offer: dogs on a leash are allowed! If you’re a dog-owner, you’ll know that there aren’t all that many places where your four-legged companion is welcome – dog-friendly beaches, for example, aren’t too plentiful. Along with the fact that U-13s can play for free, that makes this place the most family-friendly course around.
Golf Club Peralada
Par 71 Location: Peralada
Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Terrain: Flat with water hazards
Discounts: Juniors U-18
More info: Peralada Golf Club
Situated right in the heart of wine country, this flat, relatively open course suits players of all levels. All the usual practice facilities and buggies and electro-trollies are available.
When you’ve finished playing your round, why not head a short distance down the road to the beautiful Peralada Castle. The castle itself was originally built in the 9th century, enlarged and renovated in the 19th, and today is kept in perfect condition. They host weddings and corporate events, and there’s a casino there too, so we’d recommend recommendations if you’re thinking about eating at the restaurant.
