Crete Golf Club — Attraction in Municipality of Chersonissos

I played Crete Golf Club twice in early September 2025 and enjoyed the course immensely.

Briefly, I had a pleasant greeting, I received my TaylorMade Stealth rented club set, found them to be a well composed set in great condition. Went to the range and hit a small bucket of TaylorMade Practice balls, which were also in great condition. Warmed up the putter at both practice greens, one at the range, the other at the first tee. Course was in appreciable condition. The grass is healthy from tee to green with rare exceptions at the margins. As noted in another review there are pock marks on the greens that may be unfixed divots or something else, I don’t know. They didn’t really meddle with my experience. The course description says the greens were planted with bent grass and the fairways are Bermuda. If so, that’s the grainiest bent grass I’ve ever played on. Short putts veer off line like they do on grainy greens.

There are lots of elevation changes, a few blind landings, uneven lies, spectacular views, and some wind to factor into club choice.

I enjoyed the whole course. I don’t think there’s a bad hole in the lot, but I wonder if I’d ever make par on the brutal par 5 5th, which doglegs left and requires two long shots to see the green and have a short approach. Additionally, at the dogleg, the fairway descends. Hit your second shot just right and it will crest that hill and get another 20 yards. The 1st with its steep and long approach is tough too. The par 4 4th, a downhill dogleg left with a tree in the fairway is fun. Hunt designed a flat area left of the tree. Find it from the tee and you’ll have a nice lie for a mid iron approach. The 6th with its long forced carry is dramatic. The 7th with its carry to a blind landing area then heroic uphill approach is tough. Loved 11 and its infinity green. 13 is cool for its infinity fairway and green cut into the hillside.

The course reminded me of Encinitas Ranch and Del Mar Country Club (Southern California) and Brasada Ranch (Central Oregon) Bogliaco (Lake Garda, Italy) and Etna Golf (Sicily).

It ain’t cheap, that’s for sure: €110 for the green fee, €30 for the clubs, and €40 for a buggy. I wish I could walk it but it’s just too hot and hilly. At least the ham and cheese toasty with chips...

What couldn’t be more perfect than my recent golf stay at The Crete Golf Club, just a mere 30 minutes from the islands capital of Heraklion. Embracing the wild, magnificent, local scenery, the hotel is modern and cozy with large, beautiful picture windows framing the mountains, sea and course. Should you choose not to be fully air-conditioned, a quiet overhead fan will lure you off to sleep with the fresh country air at night. The pool is a sanctuary of its own, tucked off on a quiet backside with a gentle breeze, the aroma of wild herbs and local vegetation, and the jingle of the local goats bells. The restaurant veranda for breakfast, lunch or dinner, offers you not only specular views over the 18th hole, but the best of Cretan dishes catering to all diets. Don’t miss the local hand made spinache pies… light and thin as air.

The course with its challenging holes, superb greens and undulating hills (I defiantly recommend a buggy) guarantees to challenge ALL handicaps. Each tee box, fairway and green is in immaculate condition. The modern driving range, and practice area, along with superb coaches guarantee you will make more than ample progress during your stay should you choose.

The caddy master not only sets you up with a sparkling clean buggy, clubs and tees, but also fills the attached ice filled cool box with complimentary water for your round - Cretan hospitality all the way!

The professional, friendly staff cannot be helpful enough, but the hole in one goes to the Clubs manager Nicholas Sotiropoulos, who does a fabulous job of leading his staff. Young, respectful and mentored by one of the best in the industry, he shares just enough of his busy day with the guest listening to their needs and experiences without being intrusive.

Over all, an amazing experience!! I’m only sorry I couldn’t play more and better to honour such a fabulous place. More reason to come back and try again, again...

May not be a golf player, but this hotel could easily be the destination for a relaxing holiday. Away from the busy north coast, on the hills of central Crete, the landscape is so unique; the green grass of golf course under the rocky Cretan mountains covered with olive and carob trees, wildflowers and shrubs. Enjoying the hot Mediterranean sun by the beautiful swimming pool was all we needed during our three day stay, while the restaurant's menu kept our appetite more than happy (its fascinating veranda is surrounded with lavenders and purple buganvilias facing the golf course). And the rooms are so spacious, actually of suite size. Marble bathroom with full amenities and a full mini bar, Nespresso coffee machine, candies and crisps and the list goes on... The personnel went above and beyond to help and serve our needs and everyone was so friendly especially to our daughter. Definitely recommended and definitely we'll be back, maybe next time we'll try the game too. Keep an eye for the grouses hidden in the shrubs, they...