Nina Caldwell
Switzerland is known for its cheese, chocolate, mountains, and luxury watches, but is it a destination for golf? Switzerland has approximately 90,000 affiliated golf club members and 100 golf courses, two-thirds of which have 18 holes. The country's impressive hilly landscape and breathtaking mountain views make it an ideal location for a golf holiday. However, golf in Switzerland has historically been exclusive to the elite, and the cost of golfing in the country is high.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses | 95-100 |
| Number of 18-hole courses | 66.6% of 100 = 66-67-70 |
| Golf club members | 90,000 |
| Handicap requirement | Yes, with a few exceptions |
| Course accessibility | Private or semi-private clubs with limited access for guests |
| Course locations | Beautiful, hilly landscapes with mountain views |
| Course amenities | Driving ranges, practice areas, Toptracer bays |
| Course ratings | 8.7-9.2 out of 10 |
| Course prices | Basic memberships start at $2,000, with mandatory membership cards for $350; initiation fees at private courses start at $15,000 with annual dues of $3,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Golf in Switzerland is expensive
Switzerland is known for many things, but golf is not one of them. While there are just over 100 golf courses in the country, only two-thirds of them have 18 holes. The sport has historically been reserved for the elite, and Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. This expense extends to golf, with equipment being 10 to 20% more costly than in the US.
Golf clubs in Switzerland are predominantly private or semi-private, with limited access for guests. Private courses demand initiation fees of at least $15,000, with annual dues of around $3,000 or more. Public courses are rare, but there has been a recent shift to cater to non-members. Migros, a large Swiss company, owns six large golf facilities, called Golf Parks, which offer the best value for golfers. These include large practice areas, driving ranges, and short courses. However, these are very busy.
Golf in Switzerland is not just expensive for members and regular players, but also for beginners. To obtain an official handicap, which is required to play on anything but academy or short courses, one must complete a month-long introductory course. This adds an extra financial barrier to entry for those who are new to the sport.
Despite the expense, Switzerland is a unique and worthwhile golf destination. The thin air in the mountains allows golfers to hit the ball much further than usual. The courses are set in stunning locations, with panoramic views of lakes, mountains, and wildlife. Golfing in Switzerland is an adventure, with players traversing narrow paths and alpine meadows.
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Golf courses are mostly private
Golf is not what Switzerland is known for. The country has about 100 golf courses, two-thirds of which are 18-hole courses. Historically, golf in Switzerland was reserved for the elite. Public courses were rare, and private clubs were the norm. However, there has been a recent shift in philosophy to cater to public golfers.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in the world to live, and the cost of golf is no exception. Basic weekday/anytime play memberships at Migro courses start at $2,000, excluding the mandatory membership card cost of $350. Seven-day memberships are even pricier. Private courses are more expensive, with initiation fees starting at $15,000 and annual dues of $3,000 or more.
Most golf courses in Switzerland are private or semi-private clubs with limited guest access. This is because demand still widely exceeds supply in most regions. However, guests are generally welcome in more remote touristic areas, which also tend to have more spectacular courses.
Migros, a large Swiss company known for its supermarkets, owns six large golf facilities called Golf Parks. These are the best value for golfers, offering a range of amenities and well-conditioned courses. However, they tend to be busy, with Otelfingen and Hölzhausern being the busiest courses in Europe for rounds played in a season.
Switzerland's golf courses offer incredible views, a changing demographic, and high prices. The Severiano Ballesteros course at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, for example, is perched at high altitude on a lush mountain plateau in the Alps, making it one of the most scenic tournament venues in the world. Golf & Country Club Zürich in Zumikon is another top private facility, attracting discerning golfers from the area and Geneva.
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Golf courses are accessible by public transport
Switzerland has over 100 golf courses, two-thirds of which are 18-hole courses. The country has about 90,000 affiliated golf club members. However, golf in Switzerland has traditionally been exclusive to the elite, with private clubs being the norm and public courses being rare. In recent years, there has been a shift towards catering to public golfers, with companies like Migros offering six large golf facilities called Golf Parks that provide the best value for golfers.
Switzerland's excellent public transportation system makes its golf courses easily accessible. The country's well-connected train network allows golfers to easily travel to nearby courses. The cultural nuances, language barriers, and the requirement for an official handicap may pose challenges for golfers, but they also contribute to a golfing environment that fosters skill development and facilitates tee time bookings.
While Switzerland may not be the most budget-friendly golf destination, its golfing scene appeals to those who appreciate walking, year-round play, and the camaraderie among diverse golfers. The country's golf courses offer breathtaking landscapes, well-kept facilities, and growing accessibility.
Golfers can easily access various courses by utilising Switzerland's efficient public transportation system, particularly the train network. This accessibility, combined with the country's stunning golf courses and well-maintained facilities, makes Switzerland a unique and appealing golf destination for golfers seeking a blend of challenges and rewards.
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Switzerland has around 100 golf courses
Switzerland has approximately 100 golf courses, with just two-thirds of these offering 18 holes. The country is not known as a golf destination, and the sport has historically been reserved for the elite. However, there has been a recent shift towards catering to public golfers, with companies like Migros owning six large golf facilities, or 'Golf Parks', which offer the best value for golfers.
Golf in Switzerland is an adventure, with courses set in the hilly landscape, offering breathtaking mountain views. The thin air in the mountains means golfers can hit the ball further than usual, and there is a good chance of spotting wildlife, such as deer. The country's impressive public transport system also makes it easy to get to courses by train.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in the world to live, and golf is no exception. Golf equipment is 10 to 20 percent more expensive than in the US, and memberships are costly. To play on anything other than an academy or short course, golfers must have an official handicap, which can be obtained by completing an introductory course.
Despite the high costs, Switzerland is rated 9.2 out of 10 as a golf destination, based on the average rating of golf clubs and the density of above-average golf clubs. The Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre is considered the best course in the country, with a rating of 8.7 out of 10.
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Golf courses are set in beautiful locations
Switzerland is known for its stunning natural scenery, from its mountains to its lakes. It is no surprise, then, that the country is home to some truly beautiful golf courses. While Switzerland may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about golf destinations, with just over 100 courses spread across the country, many of these courses are set in spectacular locations.
One of the most renowned courses is the Severiano Ballesteros course at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. Perched atop a lush mountain plateau in the Alps, this course offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Another course known for its stunning setting is the Lausanne Golf Club, which features fairways that wind dramatically through avenues of trees, occasionally opening up to reveal thrilling glimpses of the Alps.
For golfers seeking a combination of natural beauty and historical charm, the Golf Club Patriziale Ascona, founded in the late 1920s, offers a unique experience. The course is owned and run by the local city fathers and provides a glimpse into the rich golfing heritage of the region. Meanwhile, the Bad Ragaz Golf Club is situated on the floodplain of the River Rhein, offering a slightly different landscape with its wooded surroundings. However, the impressive mountain views from this course make it one of the most picturesque places to tee off.
Golf & Country Club Zürich in Zumikon is another top private facility in Switzerland, attracting discerning golfers with its convenient location and well-maintained courses. Additionally, the Domaine Impérial Golf Club stands out as one of the few Pete Dye courses in Europe, designed by the acclaimed architect and his sons in the late 1980s.
While Switzerland's golf culture has traditionally been exclusive, with private clubs being the norm, there has been a recent shift towards accommodating public golfers. This evolution in philosophy has opened up more opportunities for golfers to experience the beauty and challenge of Swiss golf courses.
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Frequently asked questions
Switzerland is a rather unknown destination for golf holidays, but it is definitely worth a visit. There are just over 100 golf courses in Switzerland, two-thirds of which are 18-hole courses. The courses are beautifully situated in the hilly landscape, offering breathtaking mountain views.
Most golf courses in Switzerland are accessible by car and public transport. However, due to the limited availability of land, the courses are spread out across the country.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive places to live in the world, and the cost of golf is no exception. Basic memberships at Migro courses start at $2,000, and private courses are even pricier. Golf equipment is also 10 to 20 percent more expensive than in the US.
Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre is considered the best golf course in Switzerland, with a rating of 8.7 out of 95 golf courses. Other notable courses include Golf Club Patriziale Ascona, founded in the late 1920s, and Lausanne Golf Club, which offers dramatic fairways and glimpses of the Alps.
