Switzerland has numerous private golf courses across its diverse cantons and a variety of yacht clubs grouped around its lakes.
The Kulm Executive Golf Course includes a Golf Academy, a driving range with 16 tees, some of them sheltered, and putting greens. (Kulm Executive Golf Course, CH-7500 St. Moritz, Tel.: +41 (0)81 836 82, info@stmoritz-golfclub.ch
In the Valais, there are several well-known clubs. The Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre (Golf-Club Crans-sur-Sierre, Club House, 3963 Crans-Montana, Tel. +41 (0)27 485 97 97, Fax +41 (0)27 485 97 98, info@golfcrans.ch) located in chic Crans-Montana is popular among a certain segment of the jet set. The Severiano Ballesteros course, formerly known as Plan-Bramois, matches the splendor of the 4000 meter peaks facing the course while meeting all the requirements of discerning golfers.
The 18-hole golf course in the Upper Valais, was designed by the Scottish golf architect, John Chilver-Stainer. The entire golf course, in particular the greens, were modeled in the classic Links golf courses style of Scotland. Every hole was planned according to the traditional philosophy of par or bogey-games.
The course increases with excitement and the pars are well compensated. The long player will be challenged, the shorter player however, will not be disadvantaged. (Golf Club Leuk, 3952 Susten, Tel. +41 (0)27 473 61 61, Fax +41 (0)27 473 61 63, info@golfleuk.ch ).
The golf course Source du Rhone is situated on the banks of the Rhone and is wonderfully integrated with the landscape. At 3020m long, it belongs to the unique group of one of the world’s longest 9 hole golf courses. To add to this, it is situated within one of the most varied and lovely landscapes of Switzerland. (Golf Source du Rhône, 3988 Obergesteln, Tel. +41 (0)27 973 44 00, Fax +41 (0)27 973 44 01, info@golf-source-du-rhone.ch)
The Golf Club de Sierre, a “natural” golf course, occupies a surface area of 27 hectares and borders the Pouta Fontana Nature Reserve. (Golf Club de Sierre, 3977 Granges, Tel. +41 (0)27 458 49 58, Fax +41 (0)27 458 47 58, golfsierre@netplus.ch)
Situated in the heart of the Rhone Valley in the plains of the Grand-Champsec; Sion Golf Club enjoys a wonderful, sunny climate. It’s 18 holes extend over 42 acres and are overlooked by the castles of Valére and Tourbillon. (Golf Club de Sion, Route de Vissigen 150, 1951 Sion, Tel. +41 (0)27 203 79 00, Fax +41 (0)27 203 79 01, info@golfclubsion.ch)
The golf course of Verbier lies above the village affording a magnificent view of the Grand Combin to the Mont-Blanc massif. ( Golf de Verbier, Verbier, Tel. +41 (0)27 771 53 14, Fax +41 (0)27 771 60 93, golf.club@verbier.ch)
The famous resort of Zermatt has the Golf Club Matterhorn (Postfach 321, 3920 Zermatt, Tel. +41 (0)27 967 70 00, Fax +41 (0)27 967 70 02, www.golfclubmatterhorn.ch). The Golf Course is situated in the valley between the two villages Randa and Täsch, at an altitude of 1400 metres, near the internationally famous resort of Zermatt.
The Engadine has several courses one can enjoy in their incomparable alpine backdrop. Driving and putting in an exclusive ambience, on harmoniously laid out fairways and greens is a sheer delight for avid golfers. Samedan Golf Course (18 holes), surrounded by ponds and 700-year-old larches, is one of the oldest golf courses in Europe. In contrast, the fairways at Zuoz (18 holes) were only opened in 2002, and are characterized by their expansive and modern design. The 9-hole golf course at the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz appeals by its shorter distances and modeled terrain. The Golf Academy in Sils is a great opportunity with a private atmosphere.
The Engadine Golf Samedan course was opened in 1891. It is the oldest golf course in Switzerland, and it has never been moved since it was inaugurated. Most of the course is flat, and the many ponds and brooklets, as well as the Maloja wind or a typical northerly wind, are the difficulties to negotiate. A special feature of the course is its population of larch trees, some of them more than 700 years old. Many of them will force you to adjust your game. No other 18-hole golf course in Europe lies at an altitude as high as this one, in the middle of magnificent mountains. This course is a true challenge and everything a devoted golfer desires.
Guests are welcome to play on the Engadine Golf Samedan course at any time provided that their handicap is a maximum of 36. Guests holding a golfing permit are allowed to play only if accompanied by a handicap player. There are about 65 tournaments played in a season. Guests within the maximum handicap are allowed to participate in most of them. (Golf ENGADIN/St. Moritz AG, CH-7503 Samedan, Tel: +41 (0)81 851 04 66, samedan@engadin-golf.com)
With the new golf course at Zuoz-Madulain, designed by Canadian course architect Les Furber, the Engadine offers two completely different 18-hole courses. The new Zuoz-Madulain championship course was planned and built in accordance with state-of-the-art golf technology and taking into account ecological considerations. As a member of the new Zuoz Golf Club, one has two courses available and as a member one can also play in Samedan. This combined opportunity is as unique in Switzerland as the Engadine itself.
