About the author
Just a quick bit of background.
Firstly, I’m not a golf professional and I’m not working for any of the golf clubs that are in this post. I’m just an amateur golfer, resident in Cyprus who wanted to provide an overview of the courses and the pro’s and con’s etc.
Is Cyprus good for playing golf?
Yes, it’s fabulous. Nice simple answer.
Below is my humble and very personal opinion on the four courses near Paphos.
Elea Golf Club
For the sake of transparency, I have been a member at this club since Jan 2023.
Course Condition and Description
The course has improved significantly in the last couple of years since the new owners took over.
Generally the greens are good, well kept and enjoyable, although tricky for most visitors as they can be fast and very difficult to read.
The fairways are wide, generous and generally in lovely condition. If you can’t hit the ball straight (like me) then it’s definitely a place to play. As it’s a Sir Nick Faldo course, it has more sand than you’ll find on the local beaches.
Personally, that is the only thing I dislike about it, but that’s because I’m a terrible bunker player. Actually no, I forgot to mention the 17th hole, it’s basically ridiculous. It’s a par 4, over 400 yards, usually against the wind and for most amateurs it’s virtually impossible to reach in 2, especially off the white and black tees. Hate it, it’s ruined so many rounds.
Facilities
- 18 hole Course, Par 71
- Driving range
- Restaurant and bars
- Course Shop
Generally, the facilities are good, staff are efficient and friendly and the club has a pleasant down to earth atmosphere about, which I like.
Green Fees – refer to the club website as they change depending upon the season.
Aphrodite Hills
https://www.aphroditehills.com/golf/golf-course/
Course Condition and Description
Simply a beautiful golf course. Built within a complex, so it’s surrounded by very expensive properties but the views in places are staggeringly gorgeous.
Only played there a few times (it’s not cheap) but love it. Note – it’s a buggy only course but that’s fine for me but not every ones taste.
The greens are lovely, very well kept and compared to Elea, relatively easy to putt on.
The fairways are lovely, fairly forgiving but if you go off them on many holes it’s either out of bounds or a lost ball. So, not a course to spray the ball in the wrong direction. Also it’s quite likely to hit one of the course side properties. Sadly I did this, coming down the 18th, my miss-hit 5 iron nearly ended up in some poor women’s swimming pool.
Driving the buggy can be an interesting experience, one hole requires a km drive to the next tee and another requires a very careful drive down a cliff face. Still the next tee shot over a ravine makes the drive worthwhile.
My personal opinion, this is a great course to play, a must do if you have the time and money when you’re in Cyprus. However, I wouldn’t want to be a member here. Why? It’s a bit posh, not my style and I haven’t found some of the membership and staff that friendly. However, that’s just a personal opinion.
Facilities
- 18 Hole Championship Standard Course Par 71
- Driving Range
- Restaurant and Bars
- Course Shop
Obviously there are many other facilities as this is part of a broader leisure facility.
Green Fees – refer to the club website as they change depending upon the season.
Secret Valley
I love and hate this course.
Firstly, why do I love it. It’s beautiful, set in a valley location with hills either side. Stunning location. The course has always been in good condition when I’ve played there. So why do I hate it as well?
Well, the front 9. It’s narrow, balls run off to the right and I fade the ball, ouch!
This means that unless you draw or hit straight, the front 9 is tricky. I’ve played there a few times and never scored well there at all. Last time was my worst performance on a golf course, 13 points (very embarrassing).
Still, the greens are pretty good, they hold the ball well but last time they weren’t in as good a condition as previous times that I have played there. Still easier to putt there than Elea.
Fairways as I have already described are narrow by comparison. So, if you can’t hit straight then its going to be tricky. But the course is fairly short, so you don’t need to be a big hitter which many people prefer.
I think this course is challenging but a great day out, really i love it. I’m just rubbish on it.
Facilities
- 18 Hole Course, Par 71
- Driving range
- Restaurant and bars
- Course Shop
Generally, the facilities are good, staff are nice and the place has a nice feel about it. I like the bar, great place to end up after a round and you can watch the 18th green. Overall, it’s a course that you would feel lucky to be a member at.
Green Fees – refer to the club website as they change depending upon the season.
Minthis Hills
Golf Club
Course Condition and Description
This course is not my favourite. That doesn’t make it a bad golf course (because it isn’t), it’s just not as good as the other three in my humble opinion.
Why? Well, the issue I have with this course is that it feels and plays like a course back in the UK. It’s in a very elevated location, so the weather can be changeable. That’s got some advantages as in the height of the summer it’s not going to be as humid as the other three. However, the wind can blow and it always feels at least four degrees cooler (it probably is) and I prefer to play in the warmth and sunshine.
However, what about the course itself. Well, again you have stunning views, a beautiful club house but for me the course condition lets it down. This is a complex, they have spent probably millions building the club house and course side properties. Sadly, they don’t appear to be spending that money on the course itself.
Now, I must say that I haven’t played there for nearly a year, so this could have changed. Last time out was in 2024. The greens were a bit patchy and so were the fairways. Not what you want based upon the green fees.
This is another course where I have failed to perform, could be why I’m not a fan. I think its quite hard, again hitting straight is the objective and it’s important to pitch well as some of the greens are quite small.
To be honest, if you are here on a golf trip then I’d say try it. Other people I know like it there so my opinion shouldn’t have too much bearing on where you decide to play.
Oh, yeah, the hole where you drive off over a massive ravine is just silly. It’s a par 5 so that makes it just playable but you’re playing your second at the bottom up a very steep slope and it’s blind. Don’t like it! (BTW, I think it’s the 10th hole).
Facilities
- 18 Hole Championship Standard Course Par 72 (Par 71 off the yellow tees)
- Driving Range
- Restaurant and Bars
- Course Shop
Again, there are many other facilities as this is part of a broader leisure facility.
Note – The clubhouse is a very nice spot for dinner and drinks.
Green Fees – refer to the club website as they change depending upon the season.
