The Hills Course

Fast, tiered greens set the tone at The Hills Course, where a well-struck approach still needs to find the right section of putting surface. José María Olazábal’s 6,869 yard, par 72 design works with the folds and climbs of the Navarino Hills terrain, asking for shaped tee shots and considered angles into the greens rather than a simple contest of length. There is useful width from the tee for a broad range of handicaps, but the elevation changes and quick, undulating putting surfaces keep every hole engaging. From the higher ground, rounds unfold with views across the Messinian countryside, Navarino Bay and the Ionian Sea.

The driving range opens from 07:30, ahead of the first tee times, while the Navarino Golf Academy adds a full-size range, putting green and short-game area for anyone wanting to sharpen up before the round. Instruction can also include video analysis and a simulator. Afterwards, the 2,500 square metre Hills Clubhouse is a natural place to settle in, built in local stone and designed with photovoltaic panels as part of its class A+ energy efficiency plan. Piqantro covers the post-round essentials from coffee to a proper meal, with Iberian and western Mediterranean dishes alongside plant-based options. Stays at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino put Anazoe Spa within easy reach, where the Kinetics Flow programme brings together physiotherapy, deep-tissue treatment and recovery work focused on mobility and posture.

The Hills Course opened in 2022 and makes a strong base for a multi-course break. Costa Navarino’s four signature courses sit within 8.1 miles of each other, including the neighbouring International Olympic Academy Golf Course, the Dunes Course and the Bay Course. A complimentary shuttle runs between Navarino Hills and the Dunes Course, with services every 30 minutes from March, making it straightforward to move between rounds without arranging a car.