Emporda Golf Forest
The Forest is the wooded half of Robert von Hagge's Emporda Golf, near Gualta on the Costa Brava. A par 72 of about 6,740 yards that threads through Mediterranean pine, it was the American architect's first design in Spain and remains one of the most enjoyable inland tests in Catalonia.
Photo: Empordà Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Emporda Golf at Gualta gives you two contrasting eighteens from one designer, and the Forest is the sheltered, tree lined one. Robert von Hagge laid it out from 1990 as his first Spanish commission, winding fairways through dense umbrella pine that frames every shot and offers welcome shade when the Tramuntana wind is up.
It is a classic resort parkland of width, water and shaping, a par 72 of about 6,740 yards that rewards a tidy ball striker more than a bomber. Paired with the open links style course next door, it makes Emporda one of the best value two course days in the region and a natural inclusion on a Costa Brava golf trip. See where it sits in our best of Spain ranking.
Emporda Golf Forest Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1990
- Designer
- Robert von Hagge
- Type
- Pine parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,740 yds
- Green fee
- Indicative from 70 euros
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and course databases. The Forest Course was designed by Robert von Hagge and dates from 1990, a par 72 of about 6,740 yards (roughly 6,165 meters) through Mediterranean pine. Green fees are seasonal and indicatively from about 70 euros in 2026, rising in high season. Indicative only; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Forest plays exactly as its name promises, with holes carved into thick pine that demands a fairway found and a line held. The corridors are generous by parkland standards, but a wayward drive is swallowed by the trees, so the premium is on controlled, shaped driving rather than raw distance.
Von Hagge's trademark green complexes and bunkering give the course its teeth. The greens are large and contoured, several guarded by water, and the approach must finish on the correct tier to leave a makeable putt. The par 5s offer real birdie chances for the player who plots the second shot well.
The shade and shelter of the pines make the Forest the better choice on a windy or hot day, while the variety of doglegs keeps every club in the bag in use. It is a thinking golfer's course, and the perfect change of pace from the exposed links style holes on the resort's other eighteen.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visitors and hotel guests; two course days are popular, so book ahead |
| Green fee | Indicative from about 70 euros in 2026, higher in peak season; twilight and two course rates often available |
| Booking | Reserve online or through golf reception; combine with the Links course for a full day |
| On the day | Walkable but buggies are common; smart golf dress; practice ground and academy on site |
| Getting there | Gualta, near the Costa Brava coast, about 35 minutes from Girona airport and 90 minutes from Barcelona |
| Best months | April to June and September to October for warm, settled weather |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the resort. Rates change by season and year, so always confirm the current green fee and tee time availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The on site hotel at Emporda puts both courses a short walk from the room and makes a two course day effortless, with packages that bundle golf and lodging. It suits a group that wants golf, pool and a quiet base away from the busier coastal resorts.
For a livelier trip, the medieval towns and beaches of the Baix Emporda are minutes away, and Girona and the wider Costa Brava are close enough to add city and coastal nights. The Forest pairs naturally with the Links course and the Camiral resort for a complete Catalonia itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Emporda Golf Forest Course.
Build a Costa Brava golf trip
We pair the Forest and Links courses at Emporda, add the best of Catalonia and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Emporda Golf Forest Course questions
Who designed the Emporda Forest Course and when did it open?
The Forest Course was designed by Robert von Hagge and dates from 1990, his first design in Spain, routed through Mediterranean pine near Gualta on the Costa Brava.
What is the par and length of the Forest Course?
It is a par 72 of about 6,740 yards, roughly 6,165 meters, a tree lined parkland with large contoured greens and water in play.
How is the Forest different from the Emporda Links Course?
The Forest is sheltered and tree lined, favoring controlled, shaped driving, while the Links course is open, treeless and exposed to the wind in a British seaside style.
Can visitors play the Forest Course?
Yes. It is a resort course open to visitors and hotel guests. Book ahead for two course days; green fees are seasonal and indicatively from about 70 euros in 2026.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.