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Author:
Gold

Golf in Austria: A Round in Tyrol

31 January 2020
6 min. read
Jean Langerak
Golf in Austria has so much to offer and Tyrol is up there with the best in the country. For both the lovers of winter sports or the summer tourists that enjoy activities like hiking and biking, this region has it all. The beautiful, hip city of Innsbruck, several mountain villages, culture, lifestyle and so much more. It is one of Austria’s most beautiful regions and is called “The Heart of the Alps” for a good reason.
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Summer in Tyrol (photo credits, Markus Spiske - Unsplash)

Tyrol: Golf, Culture & Lifestyle

What about golf. in Tyrol? Golf definitely belongs in this list and what a great golf destination Tyrol is! Not very well known to many European golfers yet, but golf in Austria is absolutely recommended.

The region rating indicates that Tyrol is very suitable as a golf destination. This rating is based on several elements, such as the average rating of golf clubs within this destination and the density of above-average golf clubs.

Golf Alpin

The great quality golf courses, the hotels and all of the other activities are already there. The great hospitality of the Austrians and high quality service has been known by millions of tourists for years. In short, this region deserves more attention as a golf destination. This is why many golf courses in Tyrol cooperate with courses in the equally beautiful region of SalzburgerLand, under the umbrella of Golf Alpin

More than 30 golf courses work together under Golf Alpin, half of them in Tyrol and the other half in SalzburgerLand. Golf Alpin also offers the very popular Golf Alpin Card with attractive offers on the participating golf courses in Austria. The Golf Alpin Card is available at the golf courses themselves or at Golf Alpin partner hotels.

Golfclub Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf

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Golfclub Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf (Photo credits, member Jean)

This time we highlight a new treasure for golfers, set within the natural landscapes of the Kitzbühel Alps! Situated away from the main tourist routes, the 18-hole golf course opened in 2014 on a beautiful sunny plateau in Westendorf. It is the most recently developed golf course in the region and impresses with its exceptionally tranquil location and Scandinavian style. Protected by the impressive Hohe Salve peak to the north, this flat and easy-to-tackle course provides unforgettable panoramic views of the Tyrolean mountains.

The course

Sometimes when you are playing at a golf course you really get surprised. Although I knew this course was flat, I also thought it would be very open – as it is a young golf course. But Golfclub Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf is pretty mature and there are a lot of trees and plants. It has a very beautiful natural lay-out and feeling as well. Above all it is a good golf course and very challenging to play. The fairways are pretty narrow, making it a difficult course to play.

A positive point is that there is also a lot of space, so you don’t get distracted from players on the other holes. I was lucky to have played very well. I missed just a few fairways. But if you miss the fairway and your ball is in the rough then you’ll be lucky to find it! If you are less experienced, I would recommend patience, and don’t take too many risks. The greens were soft due to a lot of rain, but the ball kept the line very well. Still not easy to putt however, due to undulations that are not always immediately visible. 

A Good Round, All Round

The maintenance of this golf course is at a very high level and my compliments go to the greenkeepers and staff for a great job. They’ve made it a pleasure to play, and set an example for many golf courses. The practice area, clubhouse and locker rooms are very nice and of high quality too. The clubhouse staff are very friendly, professional and above all most hospitable. 
A stay & play at this golf course is possible in the family owned Vital-Landhotel Schermer, which is located only 1,4 kilometers from the golf course. 

So if you are visiting playing in Tyrol I highly recommend Golfclub Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf!

Tyrolean Culinary Delights

A lot of golfers are pleasure people and not only on the golf course. A perfect golf day or holiday also includes culinary delights, whether it is a rustic Alpine hut on the 19th hole or an award-winning restaurant. In Tyrol you can also thoroughly pamper yourself away from the greens.

The attractive packages of Golf Alpin partner hotels often include culinary highlights. For example, fresh fish from nearby lakes or game specialities from local hunts are served. As part of the half-board, it may also be a 7-course gourmet menu. Also, in the packed lunches for the day, a lot of regional delicacies are provided.

Tyrolean Schnapps Route

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Tirolean schnapps, © Tirol Werbung/Lisa Hörterer (Photo: Golf Alpin)

Besides these offers, there are many moments of pleasure to discover in Tyrol. Take the Tyrolean Schnapps Route for instance. Distilling Schnapps has been a tradition in Tyrol for centuries. Of the approximately 4,000 Tyrolean distilleries today, about 2,500 have had the right to distil Schnapps since Maria Theresa’s time (18th Century). Each year, around 600,000 litres of Schnapps are made. The tradition and knowledge of these noble drops are passed on from generation to generation, refined and reinterpreted again and again. 

Those interested can visit more than 40 Schnapps distilleries along the Schnapps Route and learn about the refinement of fruit into these noble distillates. You can learn about the special clarity, fruitiness and purity of local Schnapps. And of course, it can also be tasted. 

Golf courses nearby

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The excellent course of Eichenheim (Photo credits, member Ruben)

Kitzbühel-Westendorf is a very good destination for golf alone. Within approximately 30 minutes drive, there are 11 golf courses. 6 of which have 18 holes and Golfclub Wilder Kaiser in Elmau even has 27! 

Golf Eichenheim has the highest rating on Leading Courses. This makes the golf club number 1 in Tyrol and number 2 in Austria. The golf course was designed by Kyle Phillips (Kingsbarns, Dundonald Links, Yas Links, PGA of Sweden National and Bernardus). The club has recently opened a new clubhouse at the end of 2019. So if you are in the neighbourhood, this golf course is also highly recommended.

It was then on to Golfclub Gut Brandlhof in Salzburgerland. The next stop on my golf trip in Austria!

About the author
Biography
I am an avid Dutch golfer who moved to Italy because I love it there. Member at Gardagolf.
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