Where do you want to play Golf in Brazil?

Find Courses

The sport of golf in Brazil is developing slowly. The number of golf courses is increasing regularly. There are currently a little more than 100 courses, around 60 of which are 18-hole courses and the rest are 9-hole courses. Compared to other countries, this number is still small, but the country often has great distances from one city to another. Golf tourism is not yet very developed either. Many of the golf courses are of international standard and can keep up with other golf courses in South America in terms of quality.

Well-known Golf Course architects

Most courses are built by well-known golf course architects such as Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, and Dave Thomas. But golf is still a very elite sport in Brazil. New golf clubs and courses are mostly built-in private residences.

Golf Players in Brazil

Estimates of the number of golfers in Brazil vary between 15,000 and a maximum of 30,000. As many players are not registered with the regional associations, there are no more precise numbers. Also, a lot of Brazilians play with their friends on their private golf courses. Most golf clubs do not require a membership card or handicap confirmation. The motto is more “who pays, can play”.

Search Your Golf Course

With their dreamlike exotic nature, some golf courses in Brazil are unique, even for well-traveled international golfers.

Where can you find the most golf courses?

The state of Sao Paulo has more golf courses and players than any other state combined. So Sao Paulo is the most important reference for the Brazilian golf sport. In the 19th century, the Sao Paulo Golf Club was the first golf course in Brazil to be built in the city of Sao Paulo. The first tournament, the “Champion Cup”, was won in 1903 by J.M. Stuart.

Rio de Janeiro is certainly the first address for international golfers and travellers. Since the Olympic Games in 2016, Rio de Janeiro has had three 18-hole championship courses in the immediate vicinity. The Olympic golf course in Barra da Tijuca is still an insider tip internationally. Over the years, the natural boundaries grow together and the place is a paradise for nature and golfers. But the state of Rio de Janeiro has also other special golf courses. About an hour from the city, there are two 9-hole courses in the cooler mountains. In Buzios, about 2 hours from the city, there is the Buzios Golf Club, near the former fishing village of the same name. Brigit Bardot lived there. In the opposite direction, at Angra dos Reis, there is a luxury hotel with a very special golf course. It is built in the middle of the Atlantic rainforest. It would not be possible to build one of these at the moment or would not be approved.

In the northeast of Brazil, Trancoso in the state of Bahia and Aquiraz, near Fortaleza in the state of Ceará, deserve special mention. The Terravista Golf Course Trancoso is considered to be one of the best golf courses in South America. Therefore the Aquiraz Ocean Course is the closest golf course for Europeans, as it’s only an 8-hour flight from Lisbon to Fortaleza.

Anyone travelling to Brazil should also visit the phenomenal Iguazu Falls. Nearby is the Iguassu Falls Golf Club, with a completely renovated 18-hole championship golf course.

How does this Golf Courses Directory work?

For an easier understanding of this course directory a few facts for you:
In Brazil, access to golf courses is very different and sometimes very restrictive. If you do not know the rules and do not speak Portuguese, you usually will not get further than the gatekeeper. But also a lot of excellent golf courses are almost unknown and only insiders and golf club members know the exact address. Locals are mostly not interested in playing golf and international guests are still relatively few.

Search with the magnifying glass or with the map of all Brazilian Golf Courses

On every page, you can use the search with the magnifying glass at the top for a detailed golf course search.
Or search with the golf courses map we have divided all Brazilian golf courses into 9 holes and 18 holes, as well as in 3 evaluation criteria. Only 3 golf clubs (Boa Vista, Itanhanga, and PL Aruja) have more than 18 holes. Those we have mentioned in the extras of the individual clubs. The other three criteria are about the access to play golf on the courses. If you need an invitation or a member of a valid handicap.

Facts about Brazil

Brazil is the world’s fifth-largest country in terms of area and population. Behind Russia, Canada, China, and the United States, and with over 200 million inhabitants the most populated in South America. But Brazil is the only country in South America where Portuguese is spoken and not Spanish. If you only speak English, communication in Brazil is difficult.