Top 10 Best Golf Courses in Switzerland, Must-Visit in 2024/25
Switzerland is renowned for its fine watches, exquisite cheese, delectable chocolate, and majestic mountains. However, when it comes to golf, this beautiful country might not be the first destination that comes to mind. When was the last time you heard of someone heading to Switzerland for a golf holiday? Exactly.
But what if we told you that some of the most picturesque and challenging golf courses you could ever play are within Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes? Join me on a virtual journey as we explore the best golf courses in Switzerland. From the alpine splendor of Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre to the historical charm of Golf Club Lausanne, we’ll discover why Switzerland should be on every golfer’s bucket list.
How Many Golf Courses Are There in Switzerland?
According to the latest statistics, Switzerland is home to approximately 100 golf courses. These courses vary in size and difficulty, catering to a wide range of golfing enthusiasts from beginners to seasoned players. Golf courses in Switzerland are spread across its picturesque regions, offering unique challenges and breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, lakes, and rolling countryside.
Some of the most notable golf courses include Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, which hosts the prestigious Omega European Masters, and Golf Club Lausanne, known for its historical significance and well-maintained greens.
The Swiss golf community is active, with numerous tournaments and events held throughout the year, making it a vibrant scene for both local and international golfers. Whether you are seeking a casual round or competitive play, Switzerland offers a diverse and enriching golfing experience.
Best Golf Courses in Switzerland
1. Domaine Imperial Golf Club
Address: Villa Prangins, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
Domaine Imperial Golf Club
Domaine Impérial Golf Club, designed by the acclaimed Pete Dye, is a rare gem in Europe, lying just outside Nyon near the UEFA headquarters. Nestled between Lausanne and Geneva on the banks of Lake Geneva, this prestigious golf course offers a unique blend of history and sport. The land, once part of an estate owned by the Barons Guiger of Prangins and later by Joseph Bonaparte, boasts a rich heritage. The estate’s impressive La Villa Prangins, constructed by Prince Jérôme Napoléon in 1859, now serves as the clubhouse.
Victor Morf, who inherited the estate in 1971, realized his dream of creating a top-flight golf course after ten years of negotiations and two years of construction, moving over half a million cubic meters of earth. The course opened in 1987, features challenging holes like the 589-yard, par five 4th, which doglegs right with a narrow fairway and well-defended green. Pete Dye’s design emphasizes strategic play, making Domaine Impérial a standout destination for golfers.
2. Geneva Golf Club
Address: Rte de la Capite 70, 1253 Vandœuvres, Switzerland
Geneva Golf Club
Situated in the scenic southwest corner of Switzerland, where Lake Geneva meets the Rhône River, Geneva is renowned for its exceptional quality of life. Just outside this vibrant city, near the French border, lies the prestigious Geneva Golf Club. Designed by the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones, this beautiful parkland course opened in 1972 and stands out among his European creations outside of Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France.
The Geneva course offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Geneva and features tree-lined, doglegged fairways, generously proportioned greens, and multiple water hazards. Notably, the 176-yard, par three 17th hole is a challenging spot where many good rounds have been spoiled. The shared green for the 9th and 18th holes adds to the course’s unique layout.
In 1992, Geneva Golf Club hosted the 10th biennial World Amateur Team Championship for women, where the United States team triumphed for the eighth time, further cementing the course’s reputation in the golfing world.
3. Lausanne Golf Club
Address: Rte du Golf 3, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne Golf Club
Steeped in history, Lausanne Golf Club in Switzerland has been a golfer’s paradise since 1921. Originally a 9-hole course, it matured into a challenging 18-hole layout thanks to the work of architects Hermann Narbeh and Donald Harradine in the 1960s. The course is nestled on rolling hills near the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva and offers breathtaking vistas of the majestic Alps and a touch of drama to every swing.
The layout itself provides a captivating test for golfers of all skill levels. Long par five challenge strategic thinking, while classic short par fours demand precision. Mature trees lining the fairways create a sense of seclusion, while occasional glimpses of the lake and mountains heighten the golfing experience. Modernization efforts in 1996 ensured pristine greens, a sophisticated irrigation system, and a recently renovated clubhouse with an expansive restaurant.
Lausanne Golf Club prides itself on its traditional philosophy. Here, the emphasis is on enjoying golf as a sport. Members are encouraged to walk or use electric trolleys, with a limited number of motorized carts available. A robust junior program ensures the legacy of the sport, while the presence of a few remaining caddies adds a touch of old-world charm.
4. Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club
Address: 3963 Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club
Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club boasts a legacy as rich as the mountain panoramas that frame its fairways. Golfing history stretches back to 1905, though the course as we know it emerged after the First World War. From its humble beginnings as a 9-hole layout, it blossomed into an 18-hole masterpiece under Harry Nicholson’s hand in 1928. The year 1939 marked a turning point, as Crans-sur-Sierre hosted its first European Masters tournament. This prestigious event, interrupted only by World War II, has become an annual fixture, making Crans-Montana the European Tour’s most frequented venue.
The club’s commitment to excellence extends beyond its iconic European Masters. In 1988, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus designed a complementary 9-hole course, offering an alternative playing experience. Realizing the need for a refresh, the club then entrusted Seve Ballesteros with a renovation project in 1995. Ballesteros tightened the main course’s layout and in 1997, completely rebuilt the greens, breathing new life into the course he ultimately renamed “Severiano Ballesteros” (formerly Plan-Bramois).
Crans-sur-Sierre offers a unique golfing experience. The high altitude translates to longer drives, making you feel like a golfing giant. But don’t be fooled – the course itself is a challenge. With winter blanketing the resort for half the year, summer beckons golfers with near-perfect playing conditions. Be sure to pack your camera, because the scenery here is unparalleled in Europe.
5. Zurich Golf & Country Club
Address: Weid 9, 8126 Zumikon, Switzerland
Zurich Golf & Country Club
Tucked away in Zumikon, Switzerland, Zurich Golf & Country Club caters to discerning golfers seeking a luxurious golfing experience.
Founded in the early 20th century, the course boasts a rich history shaped by renowned architects. Tom Williamson laid the initial groundwork, and Tom Simpson revamped it in 1936. The course offers a contrasting experience: a flat and long front nine gives way to a hillier and more challenging back nine, culminating in a demanding 504-yard par five finale.
Lush parkland surrounds the tree-lined fairways and meticulously maintained greens, creating a picturesque setting for every shot. In the mid-1970s, Donald Harradine, a Swiss course design expert, extended the layout to over 7,000 yards, further elevating the challenge.
Currently, the club is collaborating with architect Thomas Himmel to develop a master plan for a potential redesign, ensuring Zurich Golf & Country Club stays at the forefront of the best golf courses in Switzerland.
6. Patriziale Ascona Golf Club
Address: Via Lido 81, 6612 Ascona, Switzerland
Patriziale Ascona Golf Club
Patriziale Ascona Golf Club offers a taste of golfing luxury with a surprisingly public pedigree. Founded in the late 1920s, the course boasts a prime location on the delta where the Maggia River meets Lake Maggiore. Owned by the local municipality, it delivers a meticulously maintained course that rivals private clubs.
C.H. Alison, a renowned architect, designed the initial 9 holes, with C.K. Cotton adding another nine in 1957 to create the full 18-hole layout. Despite its lakeside setting, the course is surprisingly water-hazard-free, except for a few picturesque ponds. Tree-lined fairways meander across the mostly flat terrain, offering a relaxed yet strategic challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The Harradine firm further enhanced the course in recent years, implementing an irrigation system and renovating keyholes, ensuring Patriziale Ascona remains a delightful golfing destination.
7. Bad Ragaz Golf Club
Address: Hans Albrecht-Strasse 1, 7310 Bad Ragaz, Switzerland
Bad Ragaz Golf Club
The rolling fairways of Bad Ragaz Golf Club whisper a tale of three generations. The Harradine family, a golfing dynasty spanning over eight decades, has left its indelible mark on this picturesque course nestled by the Rhine River.
Albert ‘Hockey’ Harradine, acting as both Club Manager and Professional, first upgraded the original 9 holes in 1925. His stepson, Donald Harradine, returned four years later to refine the layout. Finally, in 1956, Donald, alongside Fred W. Hawtree, sculpted the existing 18-hole masterpiece.
The course itself might be relatively flat. However, the breathtaking mountain backdrop and the meticulously maintained, wooded landscape create a golfer’s paradise. Many have fallen under Bad Ragaz’s spell, including professional players who have achieved some remarkable feats on these fairways.
Since 1997, Bad Ragaz Golf Club has hosted the prestigious Swiss Senior Open, a highlight of the European Senior Tour. Four players – Juan Quiros (2006), Carl Mason (a three-time champion in 2008), Angel Fernandez (2011), and André Bossert (2015) – have all etched their names in history by shooting a remarkable 61, tying the lowest score ever recorded on the Senior Tour.
8. Golf Sempachersee – Woodside Course
Address: Golf Sempach, 6024 Hildisrieden, Switzerland
Golf Sempachersee – Woodside Course
Located in the heart of the Swiss countryside, Golf Sempachersee -Woodside course is one of the most relaxing golf courses in Switzerland. Designed by Kurt Rossknecht in the mid-1990s, it was the first of two 18-hole layouts built at the complex, later becoming Switzerland’s largest. Fairways are forgiving, allowing golfers to enjoy the picturesque setting without excessive challenge, especially as maturing trees will eventually add some strategic difficulty. Water hazards are well-placed, avoiding unnecessary frustration.
The course boasts a stunning clubhouse, recently built with sleek, modern lines that somehow blend the warmth of a traditional timber barn with the sleekness of a sports car.
Woodside’s reputation extends beyond its beauty, having hosted ten consecutive editions of the prestigious Challenge Tour’s Swiss Challenge tournament starting in 2010.
9. Vuissens Golf Club
Address: Le Château 26/1486, 1486 Vuissens, Switzerland
Vuissens Golf Club
Stepping into a Jeremy Pern creation, Vuissens Golf Club in Switzerland unfolds amidst rolling terrain. Pern, who was known for his work in France, left his mark here in 2001, initially with just six holes. The full 18-hole course was completed by 2002, winding through the landscape in two returning loops of nine.
The meticulously designed layout features over 5,000 planted trees and strategically placed water hazards, adding both definition and challenge to the golfer’s experience. The outward nine offers a chance to score with three par-threes, while the inward journey presents a longer test with three par-fives demanding strategic decision-making.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just seeking a leisure golf holiday in Switzerland, Vuissens Golf Club promises a scenic and engaging round amidst the Swiss countryside.
10. Gerre Losone Golf Club
Address: Via alle Gerre 5, 6616 Losone, Switzerland
Gerre Losone Golf Club
Gerre Losone Golf Club is a modern golf course in Switzerland. It was designed by Peter Harradine in 2001 with a unique, open layout crafted from a former cornfield.
Harradine’s ingenuity shines through in the strategically placed mounds, trees, and a network of three connected ponds forming a running water feature. These elements not only enhance the course’s beauty but also present a stimulating challenge for golfers. The course has quickly gained recognition, hosting national competitions and becoming a recent venue for the Ladies European Tour’s Swiss Open.
Despite the initial lack of natural features, Harradine’s vision transformed the land. Rocks, abundant in the area’s rivers, were incorporated throughout the design, adding both aesthetic appeal and strategic obstacles. The addition of the artificial stream and lakes not only created a visually stunning course but also fostered a vibrant ecosystem, attracting diverse wildlife.
Gerre Losone stands as a testament to thoughtful design, transforming a flat landscape into a golfer’s paradise.
Teeing off in Switzerland offers a golfing experience unlike any other. Here, breathtaking landscapes and meticulously maintained courses create a golfer’s paradise. While the number of golf courses in Switzerland is limited and costs might be higher compared to other destinations, this country’s golfing scene is becoming increasingly accessible. So, come here to showcase your skills at the most picturesque golf courses.
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