Minthis Golf Club Review

As part of his recent golfing odyssey in Cyprus, Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken played the magnificent Minthis Golf Club. You can see what he thought of the venue in this new review.

Minthis is a Donald Steel design completed in 1994. I must make an admission here and disclose that Donald Steel is one of my favourite golf course architects. I have corresponded with him several times and his knowledge and expertise within golf course architecture is at the very top level. I am a fan! 

He mentored both Martin Ebert and Tom Mackenzie who were his business partners so it was an easy solution to ask them to conduct a review and update of Minthis a few years ago. They are the current ‘go to’ team for The R&A when Open standard venues require enhancement, so this is a dream team scenario.

Tom said: "There are few places in the world of golf where you can play in such beautiful surroundings as Minthis, with the Troodos mountains as a backdrop, and the course tucked away in a beautiful valley."

I can only imagine the construction team’s excitement being asked to inspect the virgin ground overlooking towards the Troodos mountainrange. This is a simply magnificent setting containing a 12th century monastery and ancient olive plantations. It is a stunning location.

It is rare that a shortened round of golf provides the level of delight as I found during our visit. We played the back nine which was a superb challenge, but play was cut short due to a heavy storm that included some lightning. (This was the first rain in four months on this part of the island!).

I learnt a valuable lesson during this enforced delay as it provided me with the chance to explore the whole resort, not simply the golf course and its playing surfaces.

The Sights, Tastes & Views on Minthis

This was a phenomenal experience as it allowed me to explore the non-golfing site in more detail.

It allowed me to visit and inspect the wonderful monastery and view its amazing artwork. I was able to see the orchard of olive trees that are planted by each wedding party as a living tribute to the marriage. It is still a working church and had until recently resident monks who used its jaw dropping location as a place for contemplation and confinement.

I was able to visit the superb herb gardens and vineyards from which some incredible wines are created. This location is the heart of the wine producing area of Cyprus but is within a 10-minute car ride from the main accommodation and old town.

Cypriot wine is a delight and I found it so good that I had to purchase some to take home with me. This is wine produced using grapes grown within the golf course, flavoured by the naturally occurring herbs and bees. It is then bottled and labelled and offered for use in the restaurants. This is not a commercial exercise but simply to create and provide exquisitely tasting local wines for use in the facility's restaurants.

As I write this I wonder if I should continue to eulogise over its quality as it may not be available for me to buy more later if it becomes too popular. This stuff is good!

It also allowed me to spend time inspecting the accommodation and the practice facilities that are sculpted into the valley edges affording some magnificent views and vistas.

The spa facility here is simply exceptional with a superb swimming pool with a view to die for. 

The cuisine offered to both residents and non-residents is of the highest quality and is mainly locally produced to cut down on the carbon footprint.

The Golf Course at Minthis

As I look back over my playing notes I keep coming across the phrases ‘serenity’ and ‘tranquillity'. It is rare that I use such phrases on a golf course but they are absolutely accurate. 

The visit to examine the monastery was extraordinary, filled with beautiful pictures and artwork. A place of contemplation and contentment since the 12th century now supported by the church owned land being developed sensitively into an excellent golf course. 

The opening holes are shorter than the back nine but encircle the monastery, vineyards and orchards without imposing or diminishing them.

Everything about the golf course looks natural in keeping with and empathising with the existing landscape.

I like the par 5 3rd hole in particular. It is a tight challenge off the tee. Avoid the apple and walnut trees that frame the landing areas.

The par 5 6th hole is also interesting as only the longest of hitters off the tee will be able to see the green complex. A well-positioned red cross marks the optimum approach angles into the green for us lesser mortals.

Each short hole on the course has its challenges and par is not easily achieved on any of them. The 9th hole returns to the superbly located clubhouse that overlooks the entire course.

I loved the 10th hole as it offered such a visual challenge from the tee box. The views from these tees and fairways are stunning.

The 14th is another excellent challenge. An ideal risk or reward layout that encourages play over an out of bounds area for those with sufficient skill or stupidity to play the shot. 

The 15th is another delight. An island green within a lake complex with no bunkers. Correct club selection is crucial for success.

Minthis was the first Cypriot golf course to achieve GEO Certification. This independently assessed certification is the most respected acknowledgement of eco-friendly practices, nature and resource conservation and community value.

The Clubhouse at Minthis

The 2,000 metre square clubhouse is a delight, in both its location and styling and offerings for the golfers and those that use its busy café and restaurants.

There is also a ‘Plateia’ that is situated opposite the clubhouse. This houses a range of community-based activities linked to Cypriot life and its heritage. A grocers provides home made souvlaki and superb coffees. Locally produced craft items are also available. 

The Accommodation at Minthis

Having been immensely impressed with the golf course and its surroundings I was then blown away by the quality of the on-site accommodation. It is superbly presented offering all that a group of travelling golfers would require in a luxury setting with views to die for. 

This was my first visit to Minthis but it will not be my last. It is a hugely impressive venue offering a golf and family friendly package with a superb spa and wellness centre. Its community-based ethos and environmentally friendly operating practices also appealed.

It was no surprise to discover that Golfshake users rate this venue as Highly Recommended with 100% wishing to return or would recommend to a friend. High praise indeed. Based on my experience, it is well deserved.

For more information on golf holidays in Cyprus, please visit our travel partners Golfbreaks for the best deals and packages by clicking here.