Bulgaria is a country of extraordinary natural diversity - a rare combination of high, snowy peaks, vast green fields, and golden sandy beaches. This gives anyone visiting Bulgaria the exciting chance to enjoy all kinds of sights and entertainment.
In the past few years, Bulgaria has started to develop as a destination for those who enjoy playing golf. Many experts think that the country has the potential to become a respected world class golf destination. With a year-round temperate climate, quality courses, and unique alpine locations, Bulgaria has everything in place to rival the most celebrated golfing venues.
Golf is a relatively new sport in Bulgaria, which means it will take some years to introduce the culture of this game into the country. The big investments in recent years have paved the way for this loved-by-many sport in Bulgaria. However, it will still take a lot of efforts, money, and will to turn the country into desired golf destination.
As popular as golf is as a game, there are many people that are not quite familiar with the basics of the game. It takes time to get involved in its lifestyle and philosophy but here is something for starters.
The origin of golf is unclear and open to debate. Some historians trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, which involved using a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. Other early games included the game known as cambuca in England and chambot in France. This game was in turn exported to the Low Countries, Germany, and England (where it was called pall-mall, pronounced "pell mell").
Most accept, however, that the modern game originated in Scotland around the 12th century, with shepherds knocking stones into rabbit holes in the place where the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews now sits.
A golf course consists of a series of holes, each with a teeing area marked by two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area, fairway, rough and other hazards, and the putting green surrounded by the fringe with the pin (flagstick) and cup. A typical golf course consists of eighteen holes but nine-hole courses are common and can be played twice through for 18 holes. A basic set of golf clubs is all any golfer needs to start playing the game. Three woods (used to hit long shots), a collection of 3-9-irons (used when you are less than 200 yards away from the green), pitching wedge, sand wedge and a putter are all that is required. As one's game develops and improves, certain additional, more specific clubs can be added to suit your abilities. To start there's only one rule to remember: You can't carry more than 14 clubs in your bag at any one time.
Going for a golf game in Bulgaria is as easy as it sounds. You just need a means of transportation to the golf course you have chosen. Currently, there are five courses that one can go to and play. To experienced golfers, this may seem like a joke, but they must bear in mind that just five or six years ago Bulgaria had no golf courses whatsoever. The closest golf course to the Sofia is the St. Sofia Golf Club in the village of Ravno Pole - only 10 kilometers from the Bulgarian capital. The course offers the golfers an area of over 500 decares with Par 71. Experts say the course complies with all European standards, and it can host professional tournaments.
The courses around Sofia include one near the town of Ihtiman (the first golf course in Bulgaria) - a wonderful 18-hole golf facility spanning over an area of over 500 decares with Par 71. It is located only 40 kilometers from Sofia along the E-80 Trakia Highway.
The Black Sea Rama golf course is one of the newest functioning courses in the country - it was opened in 2008. The 18-hole golf course is designed by the legendary golfer, Gary Player, and offers amazing views of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Varna International Airport is just 30 minutes away as are some of the biggest seaside resorts.
The Lighthouse Golf resort near the Bulgarian Black Sea town of Balchik opened its doors at the end of the 2008 season. It is designed by the world-famous golf player, Ian Woosnam. The prestigious 6 747 yard, par 71 course is a perfect challenge for those who enjoy the great game.
The newest among Bulgaria's golf courses is Pirin Golf and Country Club near the popular Bulgarian winter ski resort of Bansko. Golfers can play 13 holes on the Ian Woosnam course, and 5 on the Pine course, making a full, 18 holes game through the pine-lined fairways at the foot of the Pirin Mountain.
There are a few more courses that are currently under construction, and hopefully the negative effects of the global financial crisis on the investors' interest will not delay their opening too much.
Playing golf in Bulgaria is not that expensive. You can go and try, and it will not cost more than BGN 10-15. You simply go to the golf course, rent some clubs and golf balls, and start playing. Two dozen (24) golf balls are at an average of BGN 4 (EUR 2). A set of clubs costs BGN 35. However, most of the places will offer you just one in order to try. It is just unreasonable to hire a whole set of clubs if you are going just to hit balls at the driving range all day long.
Of course, if you decide to take golf lessons, it becomes more expensive. The price of the lessons varies, depending on the age, time, and purpose. Half an hour with a teacher will cost you BGN 50, but a whole hour goes for BGN 80. Prepaid lessons are, naturally, less expensive. There are offers at BGN 500 for twelve 30-minutes lessons. Golf clubs in Bulgaria offer lessons for youngsters, which are less expensive. If there is a group of at least 10 youngsters, the lessons will cost BGN 15 per person (St. Sofia Golf Club offers this service). If you like the game your next step might be to decide to join a club. Then you may buy clubs, and it will become a little more pricey. However, experts say that the value-quality ratio in Bulgaria is pretty good.
Golf is a global game that is becoming popular in Eastern Europe fast. In fact, it has registered greater growth in this part of the world than in the West, where the growth of golf has been flat in the recent years. It is a way of life for those who have been bitten by the bug. Golf has many advantages over other sports. You can continue to play the game well into retirement years. Golf also builds character in youngsters, and teaches them many facets of life.
Golf is not yet really developed in the Bulgaria, experts say. The oldest golf courses have only been operational for 3-4 years and there are not more than 200 Bulgarian golf players. Perhaps, the biggest challenge, though, is to shatter the myth that golf is only for the elite.
In addition to being a sport, golf is a large industry. The two major areas that go side by side with building a golf course are selling properties and encouraging tourism. One reason to build a golf course is to sell adjacent real estate property because sometimes there is no other way investors can get their money back. Especially in a country like Bulgaria, where there are only a few players, returns on such an investment are not for the short-term investor looking to make a quick profit.
In other countries with established courses, a good course can easily generate 50000 rounds of golf a year but in Bulgaria at present, the figure is around 5 to 8000 rounds a year ... and that's including all foreigners and all members.
Experts think that to make Bulgaria a really competitive golf destination would require the building of at least fifty golf courses. Golfers must be able to choose and enjoy various courses and tourists are unlikely to come to Bulgaria to stay and play at one course for two weeks. Moreover, the development of golf tourism requires a lot more than only building golf courses.
Infrastructure is critical. The road to the golf course must be perfect - so must the on-course facilities. Of course, this involves a partnership approach between the developers and the government. Business representative believe that the state has yet to fully realise the importance and the value of golf and to recognise that it has the potential to bring a lot of money into the Bulgarian economy. This is fresh money, which will be welcomed at a further stage of managing the effects of the economic crisis. At the same time, the, the tourism industry must be involved. There is a strong need for marketing, promotion and advertising. Foreigners must be aware of the potential of Bulgaria and of the wonderful golf courses they can find here.
Bulgaria does not yet have a golfing tradition or any famous player but the country is definitely following in the footsteps of countries like Portugal, Dubai, and Thailand which have developed into successful golf holiday destinations in the past two decades. There is already a Bulgarian Golf Federation, and a Bulgarian Professional Golf Federation. Some say it is only a matter time before the emergenceing of a professional golf player from Bulgaria - which will probably be the best advertisement for the country's golf industry.
Clearly, there is a lot to be done, and both the business and the government must be involved. Some experts say that in 7 to 10 years Bulgaria will have everything necessary to become a world class golf destination. The country has the potential, and it now depends on the will, and of course, the interest of investors.
In the past few years, Bulgaria has started to develop as a destination for those who enjoy playing golf. Many experts think that the country has the potential to become a respected world class golf destination. With a year-round temperate climate, quality courses, and unique alpine locations, Bulgaria has everything in place to rival the most celebrated golfing venues.
Golf is a relatively new sport in Bulgaria, which means it will take some years to introduce the culture of this game into the country. The big investments in recent years have paved the way for this loved-by-many sport in Bulgaria. However, it will still take a lot of efforts, money, and will to turn the country into desired golf destination.
As popular as golf is as a game, there are many people that are not quite familiar with the basics of the game. It takes time to get involved in its lifestyle and philosophy but here is something for starters.
The origin of golf is unclear and open to debate. Some historians trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, which involved using a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. Other early games included the game known as cambuca in England and chambot in France. This game was in turn exported to the Low Countries, Germany, and England (where it was called pall-mall, pronounced "pell mell").
Most accept, however, that the modern game originated in Scotland around the 12th century, with shepherds knocking stones into rabbit holes in the place where the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews now sits.
A golf course consists of a series of holes, each with a teeing area marked by two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area, fairway, rough and other hazards, and the putting green surrounded by the fringe with the pin (flagstick) and cup. A typical golf course consists of eighteen holes but nine-hole courses are common and can be played twice through for 18 holes. A basic set of golf clubs is all any golfer needs to start playing the game. Three woods (used to hit long shots), a collection of 3-9-irons (used when you are less than 200 yards away from the green), pitching wedge, sand wedge and a putter are all that is required. As one's game develops and improves, certain additional, more specific clubs can be added to suit your abilities. To start there's only one rule to remember: You can't carry more than 14 clubs in your bag at any one time.
Going for a golf game in Bulgaria is as easy as it sounds. You just need a means of transportation to the golf course you have chosen. Currently, there are five courses that one can go to and play. To experienced golfers, this may seem like a joke, but they must bear in mind that just five or six years ago Bulgaria had no golf courses whatsoever. The closest golf course to the Sofia is the St. Sofia Golf Club in the village of Ravno Pole - only 10 kilometers from the Bulgarian capital. The course offers the golfers an area of over 500 decares with Par 71. Experts say the course complies with all European standards, and it can host professional tournaments.
The courses around Sofia include one near the town of Ihtiman (the first golf course in Bulgaria) - a wonderful 18-hole golf facility spanning over an area of over 500 decares with Par 71. It is located only 40 kilometers from Sofia along the E-80 Trakia Highway.
The Black Sea Rama golf course is one of the newest functioning courses in the country - it was opened in 2008. The 18-hole golf course is designed by the legendary golfer, Gary Player, and offers amazing views of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Varna International Airport is just 30 minutes away as are some of the biggest seaside resorts.
The Lighthouse Golf resort near the Bulgarian Black Sea town of Balchik opened its doors at the end of the 2008 season. It is designed by the world-famous golf player, Ian Woosnam. The prestigious 6 747 yard, par 71 course is a perfect challenge for those who enjoy the great game.
The newest among Bulgaria's golf courses is Pirin Golf and Country Club near the popular Bulgarian winter ski resort of Bansko. Golfers can play 13 holes on the Ian Woosnam course, and 5 on the Pine course, making a full, 18 holes game through the pine-lined fairways at the foot of the Pirin Mountain.
There are a few more courses that are currently under construction, and hopefully the negative effects of the global financial crisis on the investors' interest will not delay their opening too much.
Playing golf in Bulgaria is not that expensive. You can go and try, and it will not cost more than BGN 10-15. You simply go to the golf course, rent some clubs and golf balls, and start playing. Two dozen (24) golf balls are at an average of BGN 4 (EUR 2). A set of clubs costs BGN 35. However, most of the places will offer you just one in order to try. It is just unreasonable to hire a whole set of clubs if you are going just to hit balls at the driving range all day long.
Of course, if you decide to take golf lessons, it becomes more expensive. The price of the lessons varies, depending on the age, time, and purpose. Half an hour with a teacher will cost you BGN 50, but a whole hour goes for BGN 80. Prepaid lessons are, naturally, less expensive. There are offers at BGN 500 for twelve 30-minutes lessons. Golf clubs in Bulgaria offer lessons for youngsters, which are less expensive. If there is a group of at least 10 youngsters, the lessons will cost BGN 15 per person (St. Sofia Golf Club offers this service). If you like the game your next step might be to decide to join a club. Then you may buy clubs, and it will become a little more pricey. However, experts say that the value-quality ratio in Bulgaria is pretty good.
Golf is a global game that is becoming popular in Eastern Europe fast. In fact, it has registered greater growth in this part of the world than in the West, where the growth of golf has been flat in the recent years. It is a way of life for those who have been bitten by the bug. Golf has many advantages over other sports. You can continue to play the game well into retirement years. Golf also builds character in youngsters, and teaches them many facets of life.
Golf is not yet really developed in the Bulgaria, experts say. The oldest golf courses have only been operational for 3-4 years and there are not more than 200 Bulgarian golf players. Perhaps, the biggest challenge, though, is to shatter the myth that golf is only for the elite.
In addition to being a sport, golf is a large industry. The two major areas that go side by side with building a golf course are selling properties and encouraging tourism. One reason to build a golf course is to sell adjacent real estate property because sometimes there is no other way investors can get their money back. Especially in a country like Bulgaria, where there are only a few players, returns on such an investment are not for the short-term investor looking to make a quick profit.
In other countries with established courses, a good course can easily generate 50000 rounds of golf a year but in Bulgaria at present, the figure is around 5 to 8000 rounds a year ... and that's including all foreigners and all members.
Experts think that to make Bulgaria a really competitive golf destination would require the building of at least fifty golf courses. Golfers must be able to choose and enjoy various courses and tourists are unlikely to come to Bulgaria to stay and play at one course for two weeks. Moreover, the development of golf tourism requires a lot more than only building golf courses.
Infrastructure is critical. The road to the golf course must be perfect - so must the on-course facilities. Of course, this involves a partnership approach between the developers and the government. Business representative believe that the state has yet to fully realise the importance and the value of golf and to recognise that it has the potential to bring a lot of money into the Bulgarian economy. This is fresh money, which will be welcomed at a further stage of managing the effects of the economic crisis. At the same time, the, the tourism industry must be involved. There is a strong need for marketing, promotion and advertising. Foreigners must be aware of the potential of Bulgaria and of the wonderful golf courses they can find here.
Bulgaria does not yet have a golfing tradition or any famous player but the country is definitely following in the footsteps of countries like Portugal, Dubai, and Thailand which have developed into successful golf holiday destinations in the past two decades. There is already a Bulgarian Golf Federation, and a Bulgarian Professional Golf Federation. Some say it is only a matter time before the emergenceing of a professional golf player from Bulgaria - which will probably be the best advertisement for the country's golf industry.
Clearly, there is a lot to be done, and both the business and the government must be involved. Some experts say that in 7 to 10 years Bulgaria will have everything necessary to become a world class golf destination. The country has the potential, and it now depends on the will, and of course, the interest of investors.
For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway
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