Destination of the Week – Beers and Bunkers in Bavaria

Situated in one of the most beautiful regions in Europe, the German city of Munich boasts an incredibly high proportion of golf courses per square mile, making it the ideal destination for a golfing escape. A popular summer spot, thanks to its crystal-blue lakes and alpine hiking trails, the city comes alive in September for the annual Oktoberfest, and golfers are well advised to tee it up on some of Bavaria’s beautiful courses while enjoying the celebrations. If you’re unsure where to play in Bavaria, then make sure to check out the fantastic courses below.

Bavaria

The largest federal state in Germany, Bavaria has it’s own unique culture and a rich history. Although Munich is a great place to visit, especially for golf, make sure you travel further afield and take in more of the state. The changing terrain makes for unique golf courses that you don’t want to miss.

Open 9 Golf Eichenried

If you’re looking for a quick nine after work then look no further than this beautiful Thomas Himmel design. There may only be nine holes on the parkland layout, but that takes nothing away from the quality of the course, which is on a par with the best that Bavaria has to offer. With two lakes, numerous bunkers, and top-quality greens, this is not nine-hole golf as you know it. A friendly course that is welcoming of beginners, as well as more experienced players, Open 9 Golf Eichenried is the ideal choice for the time-constrained golf enthusiast.

Golf Club Starnberg

Set in the heart of Upper Bavaria, in the beautiful five lakes region, lies this golfing gem. Framed by mature parkland, the unspoilt Kurt Rossknecht designed opened for play in 1986, and has been gaining a reputation as one of the area’s top courses ever since. Known for its lightening quick greens, Starnberg joined the Leading Golf Courses of Germany in 2016, a group which recognises the country’s finest tracks. The club boasts fantastic practice facilities, with a three-tiered driving range, and five individual greens for honing your short game.

Make sure to enjoy a beer, or two, by the lakeside after your round.

Golf Club am Reichswald

The best parkland course in Bavaria? Potentially. The most feared? Undoubtedly.

This tree-lined course may test the game of even the lowest of handicappers but it will keep drawing you back for more, thanks it its outstanding beauty and fantastic design. Despite every hole being encircled by mature woodland, each takes on a unique character, and as a result the course is guaranteed to keep you on your toes until the final putt drops.

GC am Reichswald is situated close to Nürnberg, but this peaceful gem feels like a world onto itself, and with the course rarely experiencing large amounts of traffic, provides the ideal place to unwind.

Resort Bad Griesbach

Home to an unbelievable six golf courses, as well as three additional nine-hole layouts, it’s little surprise that Bad Griesbach is the largest golf resort in Germany.

The Bernhard Gallagher designed Brunnwies course remains the flagship attraction at the resort. Unsurprisingly given its size, it boasts links with the mega twelve course golf complex at Mission Hills, in China.

Situated in the Rott Valley, to the North East of Munich, an area coined the ‘Bavarian Tuscany’, the Brunnwies course manages to merge seamlessly with the surrounding countryside, and is well-known for its heavily contoured greens.

The second-best course at the resort is a frequent haunt of its namesake, the football legend Franz Beckenbauer. As a result is has earned the nickname, the ‘Kaiser’s Playground.’

Schwanhof Golf Club

The impeccably maintained Schwanhof Golf Club is home to some of the best greens in the region. The course has a more rural setting than most mentioned in this article. Commissioned by nearby firm Conrad Electronic, the course is regarded as one of the finest layouts in Bavaria. Despite being a lengthy and hilly course, Schwanhof is surprisingly fun to play for the average golfer, thanks to expansive landing areas on the fairways and greens, and a good variation of holes.

Tegernseer Bad Wiessee

One of several beautiful lakeside courses in Bavaria, Tegernseer Bad Wiessee is situated in one of the most expensive locations in Europe. In fact it is best known for being a frequent haunt of the stars from FC Bayern. Despite its exclusivity, the course can be played at a reasonable cost. The opening nine is spectacularly routed alongside the lake. Unusually for a Bavarian course it is not overly tree-lined, so it affords fantastic views across the water. While the front nine is a masterclass in golf course design, the back is unique. With a somewhat bizarre mixture of quirky and interesting holes, you will certainly be sure keep you on your toes.

Münchener Golf Club

Located close to the heart of the city, Münchener Golf Club offers an oasis away from metropolitan life. The oldest course in Bavaria, the club has a proud history stretching back over a hundred years. There are two courses here, first there’s the nine-hole Thalkirchen course. This course is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Hellabrunn Animal Park, on the banks of the River Isar. There is also a more open eighteen hole layout. The latter is set in mature parkland, with artfully cut fairways that narrow down to small, well-guarded greens.

München Eichenried Golf Club

Another course located within the city itself, the München Eichenried Golf Club features three loops of nine. Renowned golf course architect Kurt Roßknecht was responsible for all 27-holes. This is a lengthy course, best suited to the longer-hitter and there are few elevation changes. Golfers are required to navigate many water-hazards, as well as the mature trees that line many of the fairways. Situated within a 150-hectare reserve, the course, which features nearly 90 bunkers, feels a long-way from fast-paced city life. Home of the BMW International Open, the friendly club is usually found in immaculate condition.

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