The construction of Golf Courses in Croatia is of very strategic interest for the development of the Croatian Tourism. Longer seasons for the tourism sector and also other advantages in combination with Golf.

Golf Project does not only imply to the physical construction of Golf Courses, it also includes the construction of complete Golf Centres. Furthermore, the project is about creating an entirely new and very popular tourist product. It will open new markets with the arrival of new guests, who normally spend up to 4 times as much as a normal tourist. It will give Croatia an entirely new image as a major tourist region in Europe. The combination with other great activities, such as sailing, hunting and other sport activities. Also the combination with Wellness Centres will make this as a very strong offer for the tourists, a total package of experience and well being.

Attn. This golf page is under updating, ready in March 2012 !

At this point in time Croatia has 2 Golf Courses: one on the island of Veli Brijuni - a 9-hole course, and the Cardinal Valley Golf Course (Dolina Kardinala) near Zagreb (18 holes).

Strangely enough, the closest Golf Course to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia , was since the disintegration of Yugoslavia in another country, a fifteen mile trip across the border in Slovenia. For many players of the capital, Castle Mokrice Golf and Club Spa Resort is their home course.

But recently, a brand new golf course has opened in Krasic, twenty miles from Zagreb near the town of Karlovac. Dolina Kardinala Golf and Country Club is a Swan Golf Design and Croatia first and only 18 hole facility which should soon be joined by a hotel, restaurants and commercial centre.

The only other golf facility in the country is Pula Golf Club, 9 hole golf resort built in the Brioni (Brijuni) Islands archipelago at the southern tip of the Istria Peninsula on the Adriatic.

Plans are for about 40 Golf courses and 50 % are to bee constructed in Istria, which has a topology more likely with Toscana in Italy. The Ministry of Tourism has made preliminary plans.

A few promising changes have recently been made to the laws relating to the development of agricultural land. These amendments may help to expedite the growth of Golf and other recreational undertakings. If one fly along the coast one will see a lot of land that is not in use.

The Government has located 40 locations that could be excellent for golf courses, and they are now working on ownership issues. Government officials state that only a few of these locations are government owned. The major problem is to find enough large area for Golf.

Oftentimes land that may have been agricultural a century ago is still classified as such even though it may have been out of production since that time.

For a normal 18 - holes Golf Course about 60 - 70 hectares (ha) are needed.

Special interesting areas

The topography in Croatia varies a lot, from plain land as in many parts of Slavonia to rocky areas along the coast. The demand for Golf Courses will at first be on locations close to the coast. However a large city such as Zagreb can carry a few Golf Courses. Below are some areas of interest mentioned:

• Zagreb and its broad area as urban golf destination.

• Istria and Kvarner area, within which the area of the Istrian Region has all the preconditions to be developed as one of the leading golf region in Croatia.

• Coastal and islands areas in the North and Middle Dalmatia, with Split as a center.

• Dubrovnik Riviera as a prestigious golf destination because of Dubrovnik's reputation as the world known tourist, cultural, and historic centre.

• Other continental areas in which the development of new quality tourism is expected o arrive, such as the areas of spa tourist and recreational destinations, castles and other natural and historical as well as cultural localities and attractions, as areas of quality golf offer.

Golf in the World

Many countries are doing their best to be competitive in this specific and extremely popular market on the rise. A new golf course is opened in Europe every day!

The strength of golf market is best illustrated by the data of the Economy Research Association, according to which Europe has more than 3 million registered golfers. The British are the most numerous with as many as 857.000 active players, the Swedes have 650 000 and the Germans 318.300. Sweden has a very high rate of golfers in comparison to the total number of inhabitants. Just around Stockholm there are more than 60 Golf Courses. In Sweden there are over 400 Golf Courses, just on a population of 9 Million.

The 1990s witnessed a 53 per cent increase in the entire European offer, and the highest increase was recorded in Spain, Italy, Germany, and Sweden. When it comes to international travel, 1,1 million persons a year (mostly Europeans) declare golf as the most important reason for their travel, 75 per cent of which come from Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, and France.

An average golfer has very strict criteria for choosing his golf destination. In fact, one of the most important criteria is the reputation or good image of the destination, the characteristics of golf course and a variety of other accompanying contents (quality and accessible courses, type and vicinity of accommodation and close to the airport). The climate is also very important, especially the natural, untouched environment.

For the Croatian Tourism to be most seriously launched in the direction of creating such tourist offer, is at the moment missing in Croatia. Along with the already renowned golf destinations such as Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, Scotland and the USA, there are also countries or regions on the rise such as South Africa, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, the Caribbean, or Southern American countries. The fact is; Golfers are constantly in search of new destinations.

Croatia can find its place under the Golf Sun in a very short period !

It has all the ingredients for given the sport tourists a total fantastic experience !