Yachting and Golf: A Perfect Match

For those who enjoy both yachting and golf, these two passions complement each other seamlessly. We’ve selected five championship-level golf courses across Russia that you can access by yacht or boat—ideal for a summer tour combining the best of both worlds.

Hobby
28 april 2025
Author: Петр Никитин
Photo: пресс-службы гольф-клубов

Gelendzhik Golf Resort  

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Gelendzhik Golf Resort

The biggest draw of the Gelendzhik Golf Resort is the opportunity to play golf year-round in the mild southern climate. But there’s more to love. Spanning a picturesque 80-hectare property near Blue Bay, the resort offers a serene escape from mass tourism while remaining conveniently close to the sea—just under a kilometre from the beaches and a 10-minute drive to the airport. After docking your yacht, the club’s transfer service will whisk you and your guests to the resort in no time.

Here, you won’t be cruising along a river (even one as grand as the Volga); instead, you’ll sail along Russia’s Black Sea Riviera. From Gelendzhik Bay, you can chart your own course to Novorossiysk or Sochi. The bay itself is stunning, with near-constant winds, making it perfect for sailing—or even for learning how to sail. Windsurfing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, paddleboarding, and water skiing with city views are all on the menu as well.

The resort’s 18-hole golf course and master plan were designed by Dave Thomas Ltd., a company founded in 1958 to support the career of one of Britain and the European Tour’s most celebrated golfers, Dave Thomas. His son, Paul Thomas, who now runs the company, was behind the Gelendzhik course design. Built to the highest professional standards, the course can host both amateur and professional tournaments. Inspired by classic British and American courses, the design incorporates the natural beauty of the local landscape, including mountain streams, to give it a distinctive southern charm. From the course, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the bay.

The Gelendzhik Golf Resort also features a clubhouse with a relaxation area, a golf academy, a private residential community, and an equestrian academy. For ultimate relaxation, the Oliva Spa Complex offers an outdoor pool, various saunas, detox treatments with green clay, and more.

You can rent a Mediterranean-style villa with two or three bedrooms, some of which include private pools. Alternatively, if you’re looking for five-star service, a fully equipped beach, and proximity to the city’s finest restaurants, the nearby Primorye Grand Resort Hotel is a perfect choice.

Ak Bars Golf Club, Kazan

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Ak Bars Golf Club

The Volga River’s landscapes are sure to make any golfer’s heart race. Kazan’s golf facilities are among the best in Russia, offering a perfect balance of elevation changes, natural obstacles, and intriguing wind patterns. The championship 18-hole course at Ak Bars Golf Club, located on the banks of the Volga, is a masterpiece of beauty and quality. Designed by Harradine Golf AG, a Swiss company renowned for creating world-class courses since 1929, the course is a must-visit. There’s also a dedicated training area where you can refine your swing. For younger golfers, the club’s Junior Golf Academy offers lessons starting at an early age.

Located just 20 kilometres from Kazan’s city centre, the club is also home to the BG Family Kazan Yacht Club, offering some of the best yachting conditions on the Volga. Its marina can accommodate up to 314 vessels, measuring up to 100 feet with a draught of up to 4 metres.


Zavidovo Golf Club

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Zavidovo Golf Club


Zavidovo Golf Club is the only golf course in Russia licensed by the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland, making it a truly elite destination. Styled after Scottish heathland and seaside links courses, Zavidovo’s 18-hole course features dramatic bunkers, water hazards, rolling fairways, and multi-tiered greens. Each hole has its own character, with some offering a stern challenge even for seasoned players. The master plan was created by EDAW, while the course itself was designed by European Golf Design, a leading specialist in golf architecture.

Accommodation options include a boutique hotel with 10 rooms inspired by British and Scottish classics, complete with tartan carpets reminiscent of Balmoral Castle. Each room offers stunning views of either the golf course or the water. The main restaurant’s terrace provides panoramic views of the fairways and the winding riverbanks. If the weather is bad, you can practice indoors with the club’s state-of-the-art simulator.


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Zavidovo Golf Club

For water sports enthusiasts, the nearby Radisson Resort Zavidovo is an excellent choice. Situated along the Doybitsa River, which flows into the Volga, the resort is ideal for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and jet skiing.


Pestovo Golf Club

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Pestovo Golf Club

One of Russia’s most renowned golf clubs, Pestovo Golf Club, is located on the shores of the Pestovo Reservoir, making it easily accessible by yacht or boat from Moscow. Surrounded by a dense forest on one side and the reservoir’s endless expanse on the other, the club offers a serene escape.

The 18-hole course, designed by Paul and Dave Thomas, meets the highest standards of play. Some holes require precision and strategic thinking, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement to the game. The course is maintained with sustainability in mind, preserving the local flora and fauna.

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Pestovo Golf Club

The club also features a grand clubhouse with a restaurant, bar, billiards room, and karaoke lounge. For active pursuits, there’s a golf academy and fitness centre. The Pestovo Golf Academy employs Jason Floyd’s cutting-edge methodology, offering personalised training programmes tailored to each player’s physiology and skill level.

The yacht club’s Scandinavian-style pier, crafted from teak and featuring large windows and metal accents, resembles a two-deck liner. It’s the perfect spot to relax with a coffee on the upper deck or retreat indoors to enjoy panoramic views.


PIRogovo Golf Club

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Located close to Moscow, PIRogovo Golf Club is known for its VIP-level service, moderate course difficulty, and excellent yachting facilities. It’s an ideal destination for a day trip, combining golf, yachting, and fine dining at the club’s Domino restaurant. After a round of golf, you can take a leisurely boat ride and still make it back to the city by evening.

Unlike the other courses, PIRogovo features a 9-hole course designed by Sergey Baranchukov. Surrounded by pine forests, the course includes beautifully crafted wooden bunkers and a unique “floating green” that requires the ball to cross a water hazard.

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The yacht club’s marina is nestled in a picturesque bay along the Klyazma Water Reservoir, shielded from waves and noise. Its modern architecture and full range of yachting services make it an ideal retreat for families and friends. Facilities include summer moorings, a heated winter storage facility, and a sailing school offering year-round lessons—even in winter, thanks to an indoor wind simulator.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer, an avid yachtsman, or both, these destinations offer the perfect blend of sport, leisure, and luxury. Explore Russia’s finest golf courses and marinas for an unforgettable summer adventure.


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