The Penati Golf Resort is the only Slovakian venue on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, but it is quite easy to see why it has achieved a place. With two stunning golf courses, surrounded by lakes and forestry, and a stunning range of accommodation, Penati is the perfect stop on the golfing bucket list.

The leading Slovakian resort has two courses - the Legend Course and the Heritage Course - which both offer golfers challenges. The former is the home to the longest hole in Central Europe, a par-5 measuring more than 770 yards. The hole itself has 11 teeing options. The Nicklaus Design Company were the team behind the Legend Course, while the Heritage Course was designed by Jonathan Davidson and Mick McShane. 

Also in Penati’s golfing repertoire is the Golf Academy. There is a driving range at the northern point of the property, with a lake running down the right side of the range field. Two approach greens, practice bunkers and a couple of putting greens just add to the quality of Penati’s Golf Academy, while the three-man team of qualified professionals are on hand to provide coaching and tuition.

The Penati Resort themselves do not run the accommodation on site, but there is a glorious range of apartments and villas available. Sadjiky is the company behind the accommodation at Penati, with a range of villas and apartment houses, which can sleep up to 12 people. It might be slightly off the beaten track, but Penati is an epic place to visit to play on two glorious golf courses. 

Visit Penati’s website here.

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Penati is the only golfing resort in the entire country to have two golf courses - the Legend Course and the Heritage Course. Both offer golfers a different challenge, but are two stunning lay-outs. 

The Legend Course was the brainchild of Jack Nicklaus and the Nicklaus Design Company. The course is designed up to USGA standards, with 95 hectares of land being used to create this 18-hole course.

The course also has the longest hole in all of Central Europe. The 15th hole is actually split into 15a and 15b. 15a is a regulation par-5, while 15b is a par-6, measuring at more than 775 yards from the back tees. It is a three-shotter for the big-hitters, but for the more modest golfers, they will be happy to get there in four shots - especially with the amount of sand and trees in the way on route to the green.

The 18th hole is a great way to close out a round of golf on the Legend Course at Penati. It is the narrowest hole on the course from the tee box, with trees lining either side. However, once you get down the slope, it opens out to show the island green. There is a bunker front right, but apart from that, water surrounds the entirety of the green. With the clubhouse in the background watching on, it is a nervous approach to finish the round.

The Heritage Course is the second course at Penati, and was inaugurated in August 2013. Jonathan Davidson was the man entrusted with the land to design the Heritage Course, which differs from the Legend Course in many ways. 

Mick McShane was the man to shape the holes into the terrain at Penati, having also had a hand in the shaping of both Kingsbarns and the Castle Course at St Andrews.

The 8th and 9th holes are the signature holes on the Heritage Course. The 8th winds its way around a small lake, making golfers aim to the right on their tee-shots. The 9th is an almost-exact replica of the infamous par-5 6th at Bay Hill. The only difference is that the hole bends round to the right instead of left. The water is constantly in play, no matter how you try to attack the 9th on the Heritage. 

Along with two stunning golf courses, Penati is also the home to a Golf Academy. The stunning practice facilities include a driving range at the very north of the property. Many a ball is sliced into the lake on the right side of the driving range area.

The range includes a number of uncovered and covered bays, allowing practice throughout inclement weather at Penati. There is also a short game area with two approach greens, practice bunkers and a couple of putting greens to help golfers get ready for their rounds on either course.

There are a trio of PGA-qualified professionals at Penati - Petr Mruzek, Martin Rudecky and Petr Petrovic - who are on hand to help all golfers with coaching and tuition. Guests and members are both able to receive coaching from the three, whether learning the basics, or tweaking an experienced swing. 

Although the Penati Golf Resort does now own or run any of the accommodation options at the resort, there is still plenty to choose from if you are looking for a stay in this Slovakian golf haven.

Sajdiky offer a range of villas on site, which can sleep up to six people, and are practically furnished. They are located by the lake in a private recreation area with a view of the courses, which you can easily reach by golf cart. The villas are two-story with a terrace and a private jetty. 

There are also a range of apartment houses which are located in a residential area in close proximity to the main entrance of the Penati Golf Resort. The apartment houses can sleep up to 12 people, making them perfect for larger groups.

Where is Penati located? 
Penati is the only Slovakian resort to claim a place on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, and it is situated in the northwest of the country, in the Trnava region. Senica is the nearest town, with the nearest major city being Trencin, which is 50 miles to the northeast. The nation’s capital, Bratislava, is located 55 miles to the south of Penati.

What is the nearest airport to Penati? 
Bratislava Airport sits on the south side of the Slovak capital, around 65 miles from Penati. The airport is the busiest in the nation, but only a handful of flights land at the airport each day. Vienna Airport, which services the capital of neighbouring Austria, is much busier, and within a two-hour drive from Penati.

What golf facilities does Penati offer? 
The practice facilities at Penati are second to none. Located at the northernmost part of the property, there is a full-length driving range, which runs alongside one of the lakes in the resort. The range has both covered and uncovered bays, while there is also a short game area and putting green to let players practise their short game play as well.

Does Penati offer golf lessons? 
The Penati Golf Academy has a team of three qualified PGA professionals, who are on hand to offer coaching, tuition and lessons to all forms of golfer. From those just starting out with the game and needing to learn the fundamentals of golf, to those experienced players who are just looking to tweak a few things in their swing. 

What are the green fees at Penati? 
Prices at Penati depend on the time of week that golfers want to play either of the two courses, with the price for both courses being the same. During the week, a round will cost €90, while on the weekends (Friday-Sunday), it will cost €105.

What accommodation is on offer at Penati? 
The accommodation at Penati is not owned by the resort itself, but Sajdiky instead. The company has a range of apartments, villas and houses for golfers to stay in, all of which are at the north of the property, and within walking distance from the golf courses.

What other resorts are nearby? 
Penati is the only resort on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list based in Slovakia. The nearest resort on the list is Zala Springs in Hungary, which is located around 180 miles south from Penati, within four hours. 

Visit Penati’s website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.