Golf de Pals

History

Golf de Pals presents itself as the first golf course on the Costa Brava. It was conceived in the early 1960s by Baltasar Parera Vilar and Rosa Coll Llach, and the design is by the English architect Fred Hawtree. Work began in 1964: the first nine holes opened in the summer of 1966, another nine followed in 1968 and the full 18-hole course was ready in 1970. In 1970 it hosted the Spanish International Amateur Championship and in 1972 the Spanish Open, the first event on the European PGA circuit. Today it is run by the company Golf de Pals SA. The club irrigates with reclaimed water from the Pals treatment plant.

The course

It is on the Carretera del Golf, next to the Platja de Pals, on dunes covered by a pine wood planted around seventy years ago. They say the founders would not allow any pine to be felled that they had not marked themselves. The 18-hole course is par 73 and measures 6,263 m from the white tees, 5,970 m from the yellow, 5,390 m from the blue and 5,127 m from the red. A 9-hole round can also be booked, in the morning or afternoon.

Practice is free. There is a covered and uncovered driving range, two putting greens and an approach area; balls are taken from a machine using a card. Buggies, golf scooters, electric and manual trolleys, Callaway clubs and lockers can be hired. There is a shop, renovated in 2020, a Mediterranean restaurant open all year and the 19th bar, with a terrace over the course. The club also has three padel courts, and four more at its sister course, Serres de Pals. Dogs are allowed, under their own rules.

Rates and requirements

To play on the course you must have an official handicap or the equivalent in your country of origin. The 2026 green fees for adults are €69 for 9 holes and €116 for 18; juniors pay €46.50 and €62, and there are reduced rates for Catalan federation members and Golfy card holders.

School and introductory session

Anyone who has never played starts with the golf baptism, a first contact in groups of up to six people. The course and equipment, the grip, stance and swing, and the putt are explained; afterwards you can practise without limit on the driving range. The 50-minute session costs €65 per group and the 110-minute one €110, with equipment and balls included. The website does not give a minimum age.

The school offers private lessons or lessons for two or three people, with balls and equipment included. A 50-minute lesson costs €60 for one person, €65 for two and €75 for three. There are 10-hour packs, a junior one for under-18s, and an outing on the 9-hole course with three hours of lessons and green fee included, from €160. The website does not give the names of the teachers.

Booking and languages

Green fees and padel are booked online on their website, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the day of play. For the introductory session or lessons, you must get in touch by phone (972 667 739) or email ([email protected]). The website is in Catalan, Spanish, English and French, and does not publish opening hours.