Cyprus Golf

Golf is one speciality that Cyprus can now offer to holiday makers and locals alike. In fact, Cyprus is well on the way to becoming somewhat of a golfers paradise, boasting three challenging world class championship courses and a fourth under construction. Very importantly, with good weather conditions all year through rain rarely stops play, and the golf umbrellas are only to give the players shade from the sizzling sun.

The three championship golf courses in Cyprus are: Aphrodite Hills, Secret Valley Golf Course and Minthis Hills (formally Tsada Golf Course). The first two are conveniently between Limassol and Paphos, whilst Minthis Hills is much closer to Paphos, the town that was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Town list in 1980 and is in a part of Cyprus that boasts some of the finest countryside (see our articles about Paphos for more information).

Now, let me tell you a little more about each of the golf courses.

The Aphrodite Hills Golf Course:

Close to the famous beauty spot of Petra tou Romiou, the Aphrodite Hills, is a five star development with the newest of the golf courses and is an 18-hole championship course designed by Cabell Robinson Europes leading course architect. This golf course is in fact a whole resort with a beautiful hotel, privately owned and rentable properties, with a small village, and all with magnificent views. Because of its close proximity to the islands best known landmark, some local golfers suggest that Aphrodite emerged from the waves holding a golf ball.

This resort allows you to turn your holiday, into a golfing holiday on the island, with the hotel allowing you to stay right on the course. The hotel is a luxury one too, so after a long day on the golf course, spa treatments and fine dining are both easy options to while away the evening.

The course is challenging for players of all abilities, especially the rollercoaster approach to the 7th hole! It is a par 71 course but players must have a handicap certificate to partake (maximum 28 for gentlemen and 36 for ladies). Also note that a golf buggy is needed to cover the course, equipment can be hired and tuition is available. Aphrodite Hills also has a Tennis Academy if you wish to try a different type of swing. The Secret Valley Golf Course

Situated 49 km from Limassol and 18 km from the centre of Paphos in a beautiful valley with amazing natural rock formations, numerous trees and wonderful views, but dont let these distract you! The course is 6120 metres and is a par 72. There are excellent facilities at the course including lessons and a clubhouse that was totally refurbished in 2006. Several good golfers who have played the course have described it as a memorable golfing experience.

Secret Valley 2 is currently under construction and will be situated further up the valley from the first.

As well as the championship courses, just east of Limassol at Kellaki is the Vikla Golf and Country Club which is an amateur golf course which is a lovely rustic course with a warm ambience and free introductory golf lesson for new players, and equipment can be hired.

Minthis Hills (Tsada Golf Course) this was the first golf course to be built in Cyprus as there was much demand for golfing holidays in Cyprus combined with local support from the Cypriots who wanted to take up the sport. It lies 15km north of Paphos town at an altitude of 550 metres on the main road to Polis Chrysochous. The course was built in the grounds of a 12th century monastery. It opened in 1994 and was designed by Donald Steel and has been more recently renovated in 2007, when the new clubhouse was built.

The golf course is kept pleasantly cool by onshore breezes all year round. The 18-hole course is 5828 metres and a par 71 and is challenging for all players especially at the 14th.