Northern golf: Escape the heat this summer

With record temperatures hitting the traditional golfing locations of southern Europe, here’s some great options for a golf break in the cooler north.

We pick some excellent courses and accommodation options around northern Europe where you can avoid the heat.

Munich, Germany

Münchener Golf Club / Hotel Bayerischer Hof

Located close to the heart of the city, Münchener Golf Club offers a quiet oasis. The fun 9-hole Thalkirchen course is situated in the Hellabrunn Animal Park, on the banks of the River Isar. The more open 18-hole Strasslach course is a parkland layout with fairways that narrow to small, well-guarded greens. A great choice for a quick golfing getaway.

Hotel Bayerischer Hof is a five-star hotel located in Munich’s fashionable shopping district, just 4km from Munchener Golf Club and just a five minute walk from sights such as the Bavarian State Opera and the Hofbräuhaus Beer Hall.

Killarney, Ireland

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club / The Europe Hotel & Spa

Located adjacent to the hotel, Killarney Golf is comprised of three championship courses, including the renowned 18-hole Killeen course, venue for two Irish Opens. Fish on the lake with boat hire arranged at the hotel, or fish for salmon and brown trout at the nearby River Laune.

The Europe Hotel & Spa is a five-star gem in Killarney and one of the leading golf hotels in Kerry. It’s located next to Killarney Golf & Fishing Club and in close proximity to plenty of other world-class golf courses.

Fife, Scotland

Kittocks & Torrance / Fairmont St Andrews

Just a short drive south of St Andrews, the Home of Golf, the Torrance course at the fabulous resort of Fairmont St Andrews was co-designed by former Team Europe Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance. It’s one of Scotland’s most dramatic courses with a clifftop setting. The Kittocks course is perhaps more challenging and has incredible sea views. They’re both a great blend of American-style golf and traditional links.

Fairmont St Andrews is a five-star resort and one of the best in Scotland, housed in an ancient, simply stunning mansion nestled in over 500 acres of coastal countryside. There’s over 200 stylish guest rooms and open-plan gorgeous manor homes with resort and golf course views.

Brussels, Belgium

Knokke Le Zoute / Resort La Reserve

Knokke Le Zoute, also known as Royal Zoute Golf Club, is located in the seaside town of Knokke-Heist about 50km north-west of Brussels. The Championship Course here has hosted the Belgium Open and Sir Nick Faldo described it as a “hidden gem”. There’s also a highly entertaining 18-hole, par-64 option called the Executive Course with small and tricky greens. Together they are a must visit for golfers.

Resort La Reserve is just 2km away from Knokke Le Zoute and just a five minute walk from the beach. It’s a 4-star hotel and lies over the road from Casino Knokke and the beachside boulevard.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Scandinavian Club / Hotel Sanders

The Scandinavian Golf Club is located just 25 minutes from Copenhagen and is home to two of Europe’s finest layouts, both designed by famed architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr. The Old Course opened in 2010 and is ranked by All Square as the second best course in Denmark. The New Course opened a year later and together they offer immaculate greens and fantastic golf.

Hotel Sanders is set in the heart of Copenhagen, just a stroll away from the royal residences of Amalienborg Palace, the Royal Theatre, Christiansborg Palace and the Royal Danish Opera. It’s a five-star elegant boutique hotel with luxurious rooms.

Geneva, Switzerland

Golf Club du Domaine Imperial / La Reserve Geneva Hotel & Spa

All Square ranks Golf Club du Domaine Imperial as the best golf course in Switzerland. Located right on Lake Geneva, this Pete Dye layout offers some breathtaking lake and mountain views. The course opens with a tricky front nine before a Scottish links-feel prevails on the closing holes. Fantastic.

La Reserve Geneva Hotel & Spa is 30km away from Golf Club du Domaine Imperial and only 4km from the airport, the ideal base for your golf trip. Surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park of 10 acres on the shores of Lake Geneva, this is five-star luxury.

Paris, France

Le Golf National / Le Mathurin

Le Golf National is only around 10km south-west of central Paris. Host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, it’s a demanding course of great diversity, with links and target-golf characteristics. The course will host the Olympic Games golf tournament in 2024.

Le Mathurin is perfectly located to play at Le Golf National, around 10km away. This splendid four-star hotel is located in the prestigious La Madeleine district in the heart of Paris.

Stockholm, Sweden

Bro Hof Slott Golf / Bank Hotel

The Stadium Course at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club northwest of Stockholm opened in 2007 and is stunningly beautiful, situated directly on Lake Malaren and crowned by Bro Hof Castle. The Castle Course then opened in 2010, designed to the same quality but offering a very different challenge, with elements of Scottish links. Both were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr.

Bank Hotel is a five-star luxurious boutique hotel in central Stockholm, less than 600 yards from the Royal Palace. The best shopping, restaurants and culture that Stockholm has to offer are right on its doorstep.

Other great northern golf courses

Golf d’Etretat, France

A glorious championship links laid out along chalk cliffs to the north of Le Havre, with awesome views of the English Channel. The whole course is blessed in natural beauty, but the back nine is especially dramatic with many holes running right along the cliffs climaxing in a superb final hole that doglegs downhill to the green.

Lofoten Links, Norway

Set on the ancient Viking island of Gimsøya in Lofoten, this incredible course is a classic links challenge but also a showcase for mother nature at her most dramatic. From August until October you might even see the Northern Lights.

Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club, Switzerland

Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club in the ski resort of Crans-Montana is set in the spectacular Swiss Alps and boasts courses designed by Seve Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus. Seve’s course has jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and hosts the Omega European Masters on the DP World Tour. It has to be one of the most incredible settings for a golf course on the planet.