As the old joke goes; Tourist in Manhattan asks local, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer “Practice my friend, practice…”
Well, for those wanting to play golf at an elite level in Greece, the Olympics are easier to get to than Carnegie Hall is for a musician – just a twenty minute drive away in fact from one of our pampering villas chosen not only for their charm and amenities, but for their proximity to a great golf course. Greece offers some world class golf courses – and some more family-oriented ones too – which can be enjoyed from some fabulous villas. Do you pride yourself on your putts or delight in your drives? Your wife and kids perhaps less so? Read on….
Greece may not yet rival Spain or Portugal in sheer volume of golf courses, but it has quietly established itself as a high-quality, experience-led golf destination, particularly well suited to families seeking a balance between serious golf and refined leisure. What Greece offers is a unique blend of beautiful landscapes, history, mythology, sightseeing, picturesque villages , tavernas, beaches, boating, water sports and swimming, with the ancient Greek gods and heroes peeping around every corner. Add to this a warm culture that integrates children seamlessly rather than treating them as an afterthought and you can see why Greece has a quiet and fiercely loyal golfing fan base.
The principal regions for golf are Costa Navarino in the Western Peloponnese, Crete and Corfu, with a decent day’s golfing in Athens for those staying there.
The best season for golf is from late April, May, June, September and October, though early morning tee-offs in high summer can mean that players enjoy the cooler mornings and head for the beach or pool in the afternoon.
COSTA NAVARINO | PELOPONNESE – Greece’s premier golf destination and the benchmark for family-friendly luxury
The Western coast of the Peloponnese is one of the last areas to be truly discovered and appreciated for its historical, mythological, geographical and cultural riches. Surprisingly accessible from Athens and Kalamata international airport, the luxury resort of Costa Navarino pioneered tourism here – it took the owner 25 years to fulfil his dream and he died of a heart attack before seeing it completed – but this testifies to the faith he had in the potential of the area. Major infrastructural projects to link the area with high speed motorways to Athens and Kalamata (both serviced by international airports) are under way – The Athens bit already exists, the Kalamata is in the lap of the gods (i.e. the EU). Hopefully not purely mythological…
Costa Navarino now stands at the centre of Greek golf. Four championship courses, a fully developed golf academy, and world-class children’s programmes coexist within a single, resort environment. There is an emphasis on family golf experiences, with excellent practice facilities, putting greens, driving greens and coaching. For those also keen to experience some history and mythology, Pylos is a Homeric site with some magnificent castles and museums, and Ancient Olympia is a couple of hours drive away. Telemachos’ visit in around 3,000 BC searching for his father Odysseus is the first mythological mention of Pylos, and more recently, it was the location for Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey – and who are we to argue with Hollywood – even if I do come from Ithaca myself and know damn well that my beautiful island across the water is the real home of Odysseus. But it is close enough for Hollywood who could have filmed in Mexico I suppose.
The Dunes Course I Bernhard Langer
This was Greece’s first signature course. The Navarino Golf Academy provides structured junior and children’s instruction, from first swings to advanced coaching. Children are a familiar sight on the practice greens, creating an atmosphere where family participation feels natural and unforced.
The Bay Course | Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Visually dramatic and memorably scenic. Fronted by long sandy Ionian coast beaches.
International Olympic Academy Course | José María Olazábal
Championship-level, this is the most demanding of the four courses, designed for golfers seeking a rigorous test rather than relaxed holiday play.
The Hills Course | José María Olazábal
Contemplative and quietly demanding. Positioned above the resort, the Hills Course rewards precision and course management over raw power.
Useful Information:
Kalamata International Airport (KLX) – 40-minute drive from Costa Navarino.
Villa Suggestions – We have pretty rental villas for mere mortals, for the semi-divine there is Villa Augusta for sale at 11 million euros, and possibly for an off-market rental for a descending god. Literally on the beach with the golf course behind it. photos below:
CRETE – Crete Golf Club – near Hersonissos
Where can you combine Minoan palaces, mythology, world class museums, insanely picturesque villages, an international airport, the best late summer or early spring sunshine in Europe, the only banana plantations in Europe, and a wonderful, rugged golf course, while staying in a villa with a jetty and the sea below? Crete is the answer.
Scenic beyond belief with mountains and sea as a background, Crete’s primary championship course delivers a demanding golfing experience. For those less keen on the challenge, this area of Crete offers fantastic possibilities for family holidays and other forms of pampering and recreation. Knossos is a mere 20 minute drive away from the Golf Club, so drop the kids there and pick them up at the end of the day….
Useful Information:
Heraklion International Airport- 20 minute drive
CORFU – Corfu Golf Club | Ropa Valley
The North West of Corfu has an abundance of wonderful villas – it is a wilder coast than the very tame North East, more drama, sunsets rather than sunrises, some traditional villages, mountain hikes, isolation and open seas. Apart from golf, the area offers lots of activities for families. Corfu is also of course the island of the witch Circe, where Odysseus, captured by the spells of Circe, was obliged to while away- unwillingly we are told – several of the ten years he took to get home to Ithaca from Troy. Given the beauty of the island and all the amenities and sports it offers, it’s a miracle he managed to tear himself away and return to poor, rocky Ithaca and a palace full of squabbling local troublemakers.
The Ropa Valley Golf Course is Greece’s only traditional parkland golf with a classic European feel – the Ropa Valley golf course is set in rich wetlands which are full of wildlife – birds, small mammals, terrapins and others. Fitting for the Garden Island of Greece and the home of the Durrell family, so great for aspiring young Gerald Durrells too.
Useful Information:
Corfu Kapodistrias Airpost- 20 minutes drive
ATHENS – Glyfada Golf Course
While we would not suggest staying in Athens in order to play golf – there are much better reasons to base a holiday there (and we can provide a guide for the deep dive into history, culture, Greek myths and legends), for those who do rent a villa on the Athens Riviera, there is a very decent option for a day’s golf within striking distance. We can of course point to the link between Mythology and Golf as you would expect from us…
Glyfada, which is the name of the beach that runs along the coast here and gives the course its name, means brackish water emerging from coastal ground. Coastal zones in Greek mythology are strongly associated with Sea gods, Nymphs (especially Naiads and Nereids) and act psychologically as the liminal spaces between human and divine worlds. So you are in the right place for fervent prayers to whatever powers there are for a truly divine round of golf, and perhaps Poseidon will grant you a hole in one.
The course was originally designed by Donald “Don” Harradine and later remodelled by Robert Trent Jones Sr., creating a traditional parkland style that’s quite different from resort or links golf. Mature tree-lined parkland terrain with coastal influences; fairways often feature dog legs and small, well-protected greens. Undulating but walkable terrain, making it accessible to golfers of many abilities.With a tennis court, golf club and restaurant, this is a nice option for a family day out.
Written by Ileana von Hirsch – for all villa options please contact Five Star Greece www.fivestargreece.com
