Pirin Golf & Country Club

Ryder Cup captains know how to design golf courses, just look at Colin Montgomerie, Luke Donald (opens in a new tab) and Seve Ballesteros, to name a few. Ian Woosnam is another of those, and although he does not have many courses in his repertoire, the championship course at Pirin Golf & Country Club is arguably his best! The Welshman, who also designed the golf course at Lighthouse on the other side of Bulgaria, used the natural mountainous terrain to his advantage at Pirin.

It is not the longest golf course in the world, with the back tees coming up just shy of 6,800 yards, but the tree-lined fairways and undulation throughout add to the challenge. Throw in the four lakes, 80 bunkers and a river as well, and you will be tested. Three of the par 3s are among the hardest eight holes on the course on Stroke Index, with water coming into play on all of them. The shortest hole on the course, though, is the easiest, but once again, you do have water to contend with, even if you do only have a wedge in hand.

13 is one of the more interesting holes on the property. It is classed as a 330-yard par 4, but the green is only 210 yards from the tee. This is because the hole plays a dog-leg right, with more than a 90-degree turn on it. Trees line the entirety of the right side of the hole, but going for the green would often be the play here. A par 5 brings you home, and at more than 530 yards, it will require two strong shots for you to get home under regulation. With the river running down the left side of the green, do you take it on with your second?

Not only can you enjoy Pirin Golf & Country Club during the summer for its golf, and other activities, including table tennis, squash, and cycling routes, but you can also enjoy the venue during the winter as well.

Bansko is known as the winter capital of the Balkans, and with Pirin Golf & Country Club being just a few miles from the town, it makes it a perfect base for those that enjoy winter sports as well. There is a Ski & Snowboard Centre, with transportation to the ski gondola from the resort on an hourly basis.

You name it, Pirin Golf & Country Club has it when it comes to accommodation. It is a venue that features a luxurious 5-star boutique hotel, a stunning apartment complex, and even luxury chalets in the mountains. What more could you ask for?

Pirin Golf Hotel & Spa

The centrepiece of the accommodation offerings is the Pirin Golf Hotel & Spa – a 5-star boutique hotel with more than 70 rooms. With Standard, Superior and Family Rooms, along with three different types of Suites – Junior, Superior and Deluxe – there is something for every group, especially with every room featuring a panoramic view of the mountainous region that the resort finds itself in.

Pirin Golf & Country Club Apartment Complex

Want more than a room? The Pirin Golf & Country Club Apartment Complex has you covered. There is a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments across five buildings, each with a fully fitted kitchen and balconies overlooking the scenery.

Luxury Chalets

The Luxury Chalets at Pirin Golf & Country Club offer the perfect mixture of luxury and privacy during your stay in the Bulgarian mountains. Each chalet has its own unique look inside, but what they all have in common is the glorious backdrop.

Where is Pirin Golf & Country Club located?

Pirin Golf & Country Club is situated in the southwestern corner of Bulgaria, between the Pirin National Park (to its south), and the Rila National Park (to its north). Razlog and Bansko are the nearest towns to the resort, both within a few miles of Pirin, while the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia is around 90 miles to the north.

What is the nearest airport to Pirin Golf & Country Club?

The nation's capital is also home to the nearest major airport to Pirin Golf & Country Club. Sofia International Airport is around 100 miles north, located to the north of the city. Skopje International Airport, which services the North Macedonian capital, is around 130 miles to the west as well.

What golf facilities does Pirin offer?

Along with the Ian Woosnam-designed course, Pirin Golf & Country Club also has three practice holes, all par 4s, to provide even more chance to hone your skills. The resort also features a driving range that can accommodate more than 90 players, an indoor golf simulator, and both short game and putting greens as well.

Does Pirin offer golf lessons?

Pirin Golf & Country Club has its own Golf Academy, with lessons and tuition available for golfers of all abilities. There are junior programmes, club fittings and more, to help golfers with their games.

What are the green fees at Pirin?

The price of a green fee at Pirin Golf & Country Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Pirin, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).

What accommodation is on offer at Pirin Golf & Country Club?

There is pretty much everything you could wish for at Pirin Golf & Country Club when it comes to accommodation. There is a 5-star boutique hotel with more than 70 rooms, along with luxury chalets and an apartment complex, all of which overlooks the Bulgarian mountains.

Are there any other venues on the NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list nearby?

Pirin Golf & Country Club is one of four venues in Bulgaria that can lay claim to a place on the NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list. The others – Thracian Cliffs, Lighthouse and Black Sea Rama, are all on the eastern side of the country, overlooking the Black Sea. The drive to the trio is around 325 miles, though flying from Sofia to Varna might be the quicker option!

Visit Pirin's website here (opens in a new tab).

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.