Golf de Pals was the first golf course on the Costa Brava, beginning as a nine-hole Fred Hawtree design in 1966 and becoming a complete eighteen in 1970. It occupies the Arenals de Mar estate near Pals, where mature Mediterranean pines and sand-shaped ground create an older and more restrained golfing world than the modern resort courses of Empordà and Camiral.
Its appeal is architectural as much as historical. Trees guide the shape of a drive; the ball's position then determines whether the green is accessible from a sensible angle. It is not a broad, open coastal spectacle. It is a quieter challenge where good decisions are rewarded and careless lines are exposed.
Why You Should Play Golf de Pals
Golf de Pals gives a Costa Brava trip genuine historical range. A golfer can move from contemporary architecture at Camiral to Robert von Hagge's two contrasting Empordà courses and then step back to the earlier era of carefully routed pine-framed golf. The fairways carry a different rhythm, where the decision to position the ball on the right side may matter more than an extra twenty metres.
The sandy, naturally vegetated landscape is part of the identity, but the course should not be sold as a Scottish links. Its trees are central to the play. A competent driver can be constrained by the next approach, while a shorter player who takes the correct line may find opportunities to attack greens without forcing the ball through a barrier of pines.
This is the right addition for golfers who appreciate maturity, quiet and course management rather than only international ranking positions. A visiting party wanting another round by the resort pool may prefer a second Empordà day; a group interested in how golf developed on the coast will find Pals a more revealing choice.
Design, History and Character
Work on the design began in the 1960s under British architect Fred Hawtree. The first nine opened in 1966, the full 18-hole course was inaugurated in 1970, and the Spanish Open followed in 1972. That event holds a notable place in the development of continental European professional golf. The original landowners preserved mature pines, shaping the architecture still visible today.
How the Course Fits a Premium Golf Trip
Pals lies near Empordà's resort courses and the villages of Baix Empordà. Hotel Terraverda or Mas de Torrent suits a programme that combines Pals and Empordà; a day at Camiral needs a separate short regional journey. The club welcomes visitor reservations, subject to handicap documentation.
Pals is a natural partner for Empordà Forest and Empordà Dunes, whose different landscapes offer an instructive contrast with its pine-lined corridors. Camiral Stadium adds a demanding modern championship round farther inland near Girona; combining it with Pals works best as part of a broader Costa Brava golf stay.
Choosing Tees and Playing Conditions
Golf de Pals is par 73, with White tees at 6,263 metres, Yellow at 5,970, Blue at 5,390 and Red at 5,127. Choosing a suitable set is particularly important here: the trees and sandy ground reward accurate placement and a good angle into the green more than sheer distance.
From the shorter tees, the wooded corridors remain part of the challenge while the approach distances become more manageable. The sandy ground gives Pals a different texture from the newer resort courses, and its compact, traditional character is especially appealing to golfers who favour careful positioning over expansive championship visuals. It is a fitting contrast after a day at Empordà, where two modern layouts respond to the same region in different ways.
Visitor Green Fees and Access
The standard adult 18-hole green fee is €116 in 2026. Member, federation and special-package categories are separate from this standard visitor rate. Golf de Pals welcomes visiting golfers with a recognised handicap certificate, and the woodland routing is an appealing counterpoint to the more open nearby Empordà courses.
The club's traditional atmosphere rounds out a Costa Brava visit that also includes the resort facilities at Empordà.