PGA GOLF DE CATALUNYA
Where is it? 13km south of Girona.
What's it like? The first PGA course in Spain, designed by former Ryder Cup stars Angel Gallardo and Neil Coles, is one of the most formidable in Europe. It?s set in rolling hill country, with spectacular views of the Pyrenees and wide fairways cut from uncompromising pine and cork oak forest. An elaborate, though not always effective, drainage system brings two large lakes into play on six holes.
Address: Ctra N-11, Km 701, E-17455 Caldes de Malavella.
Contact: tel 34 972 47 25 77, [email protected], www.pgacatalunya.com.
Price: £46 (weekends and high season), £37 (weekdays, March-May), £34 (weekdays, June).
Can I rent some clubs? Yes.
Club hours: 0745-2100.
Minimum required handicap: 36.
Facilities: 18-hole golf course, par 72, 6,619 metres, driving range and golf school.
After golf: Clubhouse with bar and restaurant.
GIRONA GOLF CLUB
Where is it? Three miles north-west of Girona.
What's it like? A tough, hilly Frederic Hawtree course with sweeping views over historic Girona. The fairways are often narrow and the back nine, in particular, are extremely steep. All but the very fit should take a buggy (£25)
Address: Urb.Golf Girona, s/n?17481 Sant Julia de Ramis
Contact: tel 34 972 17 16 41,[email protected], www.golfgirona.com.
Price: £41 (weekends, bank holidays, July-August), otherwise £37.
Can I rent some clubs? Yes.
Club hours: 0800-1900.
Minimum required handicap: 28 (men), 36 (women).
Facilities: 18 holes, par 72, 6,129 metres; golf school.
After golf: Snack bar and restaurant.
PERALADA GOLF CLUB
Where is it? 55 miles north of Girona.
What's it like? The 11-year-old complex is real estate-led but the 55-room hotel is spacious and genuinely luxurious. The course is geared towards holiday golf, its open aspect characterized by gentle dog legs and benign rough, between stands of cork oaks. Approach shots over the river that guards the greens on five holes take no prisoners, but otherwise modest players have a good chance of playing to their handicaps.
Address: Paratge de la Garriga, s/n ? 17491 Peralada.
Contact: tel 34 972 53 82 87; [email protected]; www.golfperalada.com.
Price: £45 (weekends, bank holidays, July-August), otherwise £34.
Can I rent some clubs? Yes.
Club hours: 0800-1800.
Minimum required handicap: 28 (men), 36 (women).
Facilities: 18 holes, par 71, 6,018 metres; 9 hole pitch and putt, David Leadbetter Academy.
After golf: Clubhouse with bar and restaurant, plus on-site five-star hotel with wine spa; there is a casino in a castle in Peralada village nearby.
TORREMIRONA GOLF CLUB
Where is it? 19km north of Girona.
What's it like? A rather schizophrenic course, with a tight technical front nine, followed by a flat, wide open back nine. Recreational golfers of all standards will appreciate the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere in this well-appointed golf and spa resort.
Address: Ctra. N-260, Km 46, E-17744-Navata, Figueras.
Contact: tel 34 972 55 37 37, [email protected],www.torremirona.com.
Price: £43 (weekends, bank holidays, July?August), otherwise £33.
Can I rent some clubs? Yes.
Club hours: 0800-2000.
Minimum required handicap: 36.
Facilities: 18 holes, par 71, 6,231 metres, three practice holes, driving range and academy, children?s nursery.
After golf: Snack bar, four-star hotel with extensive spa and fitness centre.
EMPORDA GOLF CLUB
Where is it? 35km northeast of Girona
What's it like? The most elegant club in the area, currently offering three mix and match nine-hole loops, with a fourth in the pipeline, all designed by America?s Robert von Hagge. The terrain incorporates pinewoods, dunes and lakes, with the Blue and Yellow loops dominated by fairways cut through the forest. The more open Green loop is characterized by two Von Hagge trademarks, artificial mounds between adjoining fairways and
wood-fronted lake walls.
Address: Ctra. Palafrugell Torroella de Montgri?17257 Gualta.
Contact: tel 34 972 76 04 50, [email protected], www.empordagolfclub.es.
Price: 18 holes: £44 (weekends, bank holidays, July-August); otherwise £34.
Can I rent some clubs? Yes.
Club hours: 0800-2100.
Minimum required handicap: 36.
Facilities: Blue: 9 holes, par 36, 3,033 metres; Green: 9 holes, 18 holes, par 35, 3,096 metres; Yellow: 9 holes, par 36, 3,033 metres, pitching, putting and chipping areas, swimming pool, children?s nursery.
After golf: Clubhouse with bar and restaurant.
