Holidays · 7 April 2022
Greece is the word at Costa Navarino
By The Golf Planet Holidays Team · Golf-travel specialists since 1981 · Published 7 April 2022 My first visit to mainland Greece was back in the day when Glyfada GC near Athens was the only golf course worth playing. I think the whole of Greece had a couple of golf professionals at the time, now […]
My first visit to mainland Greece was back in the day when Glyfada GC near Athens was the only golf course worth playing. I think the whole of Greece had a couple of golf professionals at the time, now there are almost 100 PGA members. With another new development due to be completed by Jack Nicklaus at PGA National Kilada in 2023 Greece is definitely on the upwards curve as a golfing destination.
I recently visited what will soon be the Number One golf resort in Europe at Costa Navarino on the South West coast, with the nearest airport of Kalamata just 40 mins from this stunning golf resort.
Here lies a four course golf resort with currently two magnificent hotels at The Westin Resort and The Romanos luxury collection next to each other and a superb collection of restaurants in between them. Two more equally special hotels are under construction near the new courses and The Dunes.
The latest addition to the existing Bay and Dunes courses are The Hills and The Olympic Academy courses. The latter is probably one of the most picturesque courses I have ever played. Move over Pebble Beach and play second fiddle to this Olazabal designed layout with views over The Bay of Navarino, scene of a decisive sea battle in 1827 which consolidated Greek independence.
Your days will be taken up playing these beautiful courses, carved out of the numerous olive groves on this Pelonoppese region of Greece, and your evenings choosing from the ten restaurants within the resort. Everywhere I dined I was bowled over by the food quality, service and friendliness, something rare these days to find all these ingredients working together!
My advice would be to stick with the drinks package of local wine and beers for a bargain rate per night of which are of a high standard house wine and excellent draught beers.
It’s a short taxi ride to the nearest authentic Greek towns if you fancy a meal out.
With the many different types of rooms on offer, including with your own private infinity pool, it is a hard resort to fault. Word is spreading fast with regular flights now from the UK with British Airways, Easyjet, Jet2 and RyanAir so get our skates on!
Nigel Burch
PGA Golf Professional
Where to stay & play in Europe
Tailor your Europe golf trip →
What our golfers say
4.997 reviewsken cunningham
Derry Wiltshire
Local Guide · 20 reviews · 2 photos
Frequently asked questions
How much does a golf holiday in Europe cost?
Tailor-made golf breaks in Europe start from £165 per person, including your hotel, green fees and airport transfers. Every package is built around your group, dates and handicaps.
Do you arrange flights to Europe?
Flights can be added as an ATOL-protected option, or you book your own and we handle everything on the ground — private transfers, tee times and buggies.
Is my money protected?
Yes. Every booking is financially protected through Protected Trust Services (PTS) — your money is held safely in trust until you have travelled. Flight-inclusive trips are also ATOL protected.
Can I tailor the trip?
Always. We don’t sell off-the-shelf packages — every Europe break is built personally around your group, your preferred courses and your dates.
Come and play with us
Wherever you're travelling from, you're welcome on a Golf Planet hosted tour — a small group, a host with you from the first tee to the last, and every round, transfer and dinner taken care of. You just bring the clubs.
