Crete Golf Club: Where Mountain Meets Fairway
July 26, 2025
I played a challenging round at the Crete Golf Club, where the desert-style course tested every bit of my golfing skills with its dramatic hillside terrain. The on-site hotel and clubhouse made it easy to spend a full day enjoying world-class golfing in a stunning Cretan landscape.
Greece's only 18-hole golf course sits hidden in Crete's rugged landscape, turning challenging terrain into a golfer's ultimate playground. Discover a course where every hole tells a story of natural obstacles and strategic design, waiting to challenge even the most experienced players.
Need-to-Know Info Before Visiting The Crete Golf Club
The Crete Golf Club Address
Kastri, Hersonissos, Crete, Greece 70014
The Crete Golf Club Opening Hours
- 🕒 Summer Season (April-October): 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- 🕒 Winter Season (November-March): 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- 🕒 Closed on major Greek holidays
How to get to The Crete Golf Club
- 🚗 By car: Direct access from National Road Heraklion-Agios Nikolaos
- 🚌 Public transport: Local KTEL bus from Heraklion (Route 1)
- 🚕 Rideshare: Taxi services available from Hersonissos town center
What is The Crete Golf Club known for?
- Crete's only 18-hole golf course with a challenging desert-style layout
- Hosts annual international tournaments like Aegean Airlines ProAM
- Features a modern 25-room hotel and clubhouse opened in 2018
What is The Crete Golf Club in Hersonissos (Crete)?
The Crete Golf Club stands as a golfer's paradise tucked into the rugged landscape of Hersonissos, offering Greece's most sophisticated 18-hole golfing experience. Strategically designed to challenge even seasoned players, this desert-style course transforms the natural hillside terrain into a demanding gameplay environment that rewards precision and strategic shot-making. Located just outside Heraklion, the course attracts international golf enthusiasts and tournament players who appreciate its unique landscape integration. Serious golfers will find the terrain unforgiving - with dramatic elevation changes and strategic bunker placements that demand technical skill. The 2018 addition of a 25-room hotel and modern clubhouse has elevated the destination from a simple golf course to a comprehensive golf resort, positioning it as a key sporting attraction in the Greek island landscape. Tournament highlights include the annual Aegean Airlines ProAM and International Diaspora Tournament, drawing players from across Europe and beyond. For golf travelers seeking more than a standard course, Crete Golf Club delivers an authentic Mediterranean golfing experience that blends athletic challenge with stunning natural scenery.
Top things to do at The Crete Golf Club
- Play a challenging 18-hole desert-style golf course designed to test advanced skill levels, with unique terrain features integrating local Cretan landscape
- Book a professional golf lesson with resident instructors who specialize in technique adaptation to the course's distinctive hillside terrain
- Stay at the on-site 25-room hotel, offering direct course access and panoramic views of the surrounding Cretan countryside
- Participate in seasonal tournaments like the Aegean Airlines ProAM or International Diaspora Tournament, which attract international golf enthusiasts
- Explore the modern clubhouse facilities, including equipment pro shop, gear rental services, and post-game relaxation areas
- Experience the course's unique design that incorporates natural elevation changes and strategic bunker placements, making each hole a distinct challenge
Tickets and Pricing
Green fees at Crete Golf Club range from €60-€120 depending on season and player status. Online bookings through the official website offer 10-15% discounts. Visitors can choose between 9-hole and 18-hole play options. Rental equipment is available for €20-€35 per set. Hotel guests receive complimentary course access and reduced green fees.
Best Time to Visit
The golf course is most enjoyable from April to October, when Cretan weather provides mild temperatures and minimal rainfall. Peak season runs from May to September, with temperatures ranging between 24-32°C. Early morning and late afternoon tee times offer cooler playing conditions. Winter months (November-March) have reduced rates but less predictable weather.
History of Crete Golf Club
- 2002: Initial plans developed for a golf course in Crete
- 2005: Construction begins on the 18-hole desert-style course
- 2007: First official tournament hosted
- 2018: 25-room hotel and modern clubhouse completed
- 2020: Recognized as the primary golf destination in Crete
Tips for Visitors
- Bring golf shoes with soft spikes
- Sunscreen and hat are essential due to exposed course layout
- Book tee times at least 48 hours in advance
- Consider golf lessons from resident professionals
- Check tournament schedules to avoid course closures
- Recommended handicap: 18 or lower due to course difficulty
What are some interesting facts about The Crete Golf Club?
- The course's terrain is so challenging that local golfers joke it's designed to 'separate real players from weekend warriors'
- Unique hole layouts use natural Cretan rock formations as part of the course design, meaning some bunkers and obstacles are literally carved from the landscape
- During the International Diaspora Tournament, players from Greek communities worldwide compete, making it more than just a sporting event but a cultural reunion