Golfing In Switzerland

Switzerland is known for fine watches, cheese, chocolate, mountains and more. Not necessarily golf—and justifiably so. When was the last time you heard of someone heading to Switzerland for a golf holiday? Thought so.

But travel with me as I take you on that very thing: a virtual golf trip to Switzerland.

A Little Background

Prior to moving to Switzerland three years ago, I did some research about golfing here. Switzerland isn’t a small country and while there is a good variety of courses, they are very spread out. There are just over 100 courses and only two-thirds have 18 holes.

Golf’s History In Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. To give you a quick idea, a Big Mac meal is about $22 USD. The cost of golf isn’t much different and, while reasonable rates can be found, the traditional golf stigma is pervasive.

Historically, golf in Switzerland was only for the elite. Public courses were rare, private clubs were the norm. Only recently has there been a shift in philosophy to cater towards public golfers.

Migros Golf Parks

Migros is a large company in Switzerland best known for their supermarkets (and being about the only place you can find Pepsi). They own six large golf facilities, called Golf Parks. These are spread out across the country and are, without question, the best value for golfers.

Each Migro Golf Park contains large practice areas and driving ranges. Some have double-decker ranges or dual-sided ranges and all offer Toptracer bays for free! Several of the Golf Parks include short courses (six- or nine-hole circuits) as well as par-3 “academy courses.”

So the Migro Golf Parks offer a range of amenities along with a well-conditioned course. The main downside is they are busy, with Otelfingen (my home course) and Hölzhausern being the busiest courses in Europe for rounds played in a season.

How Much Does Golf Cost?

A normal 18-hole round at one of the Migro courses (often the cheapest rates) will cost $100 USD. Most other courses are priced similarly although private courses can be played with a member at a discounted rate, usually between $120 and $160.

Golf equipment follows this trend, with golf balls and clubs often being 10 to 20 percent more expensive than in the U.S.

What about Memberships?

Basic weekday/anytime play memberships at Migro courses start at $2,000. This does not include a mandatory membership card which is $350. Seven-day memberships are even more expensive.

Private courses are pricey, of course. Initiation fees start at about $15,000 and annual dues run about $3,000 or more.

However, most memberships include a limited number of free rounds or discounted rates at associated courses.

Not Everyone Can Just Play Golf

It may shock most North Americans but in many European countries you must have an official handicap to play. Switzerland is the same, with a few exceptions.

If you want to start golfing and play on anything but the academy courses or other short courses, you must have an official handicap. Introductory courses for beginners are offered on weekends and when you complete the month-long program, you receive an official handicap.

While some North Americans may view this as a deterrent to golf, I have seen quite the opposite. It cuts through the frustration of starting and gives beginners the basic skills and knowledge to get better faster and build their confidence.

What Else Is Different?

Everyone walks. I have played more than a dozen courses around the country and the only people I have seen riding on carts are marshals.

Year-Round Golf

Many courses are open year-round. Many areas don’t get snow or only a little for a few weeks a year. During winter conditions, most courses require golfers to carry their bags, meaning not even push carts are allowed.

The Tee Sheet

The tee sheet! (This blew my mind.) When booking a round, all but a few courses use the same system. It makes it really simple as there is no need for multiple logins and passwords. When looking to book a time, each golfer has their name listed (optional to hide or be shown as a guest). But no matter what, each golfer must have their handicap listed right there!

I was taken aback by this at first but have found it very useful. I don’t mind playing with any and all golfers. The benefit of knowing you are going to be playing with a 30-plus handicapper helps set expectations and the same goes with a scratch golfer. Additionally, knowing that everyone has completed the introductory course and has a decent understanding of the rules makes for a more enjoyable experience with fewer unpleasant surprises.

Public Transit

The public transport system in Switzerland is fantastic and I often see people hopping on or off the train with their golf clubs, heading for a nearby course.

Wash Areas

I had never seen dedicated areas like this at courses in my native Canada. Each course has a dedicated area with air compressor nozzles, rinse areas, cart wash rumble and shoe cleaning equipment to remove grass, mud and other dirt so your cart and clubs are as clean as can be for your next round.

Tournament Play: I played a few tournaments prior to moving to Switzerland and all were some form of stroke play. The surprise when I entered my first few tournaments here was that they were all Stableford format. Having never played Stableford, this was a surprise. I had to learn the rules and scoring but after some discussion with playing partners, it is very much the norm here. Even when playing casual rounds, many golfers I played with referred to their scoring as how many points they earned versus their number over par. 

The People and Courses

The Swiss people can be perceived as unfriendly or cold. Whether this is due to their unique language or they are simply less outgoing by nature, I am not sure. What I can say is that I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience golfing with a wide variety of Swiss of all ages and abilities.

The most difficult part is the language as many Swiss do not speak much, if any, English. Other than that, the golfers I have played with are just like most other golfers in the world: open, warm, inviting and looking to enjoy their time on the golf course.

The staff at all the facilities have been very kind and willing to help when necessary.

The courses in Switzerland are challenging, offer some spectacular views and are, in general, well maintained. As expected for a country famous for the Alps, most (but not all) have significant elevation changes. Courses like Gonten in the Alpenzal have old farm buildings in the line of sight, ridiculous side-hill lies and short but fun holes that present shot-making challenges. Others, such as my home course of Otelfingen, are flat, long and have large “biotop” areas all over. These are environmental hazards which cannot be entered. They are red-staked so they help with the pace of play but add to the lost ball count.

Distances are in meters, which while simple to adjust to yards, can make for big differences when planning how to tackle a round. (One meter is about 1.09 yards.)

Is It Better Here?

I don’t think I would ever use the term “better.” But it sure is very different. There are many fantastic features about golfing in Switzerland. The practice facilities and shorter courses are fantastic, adding another element outside of playing a normal 18.

The people are exceptional and with well-kept course conditions as well as longer seasons than many areas in Canada or even the US, there are certainly some perks to golfing here.

The price of golfing here is tough to swallow. Heavily discounted rates for kids and young adults help get people into the sport but at full price, even with the high Swiss wages, golfing is a luxury.

For someone who prefers walking, taking in the scenery and enjoying the challenge each course presents, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time golfing in Switzerland.

Having said that, if I was booking a European golf holiday, it would not be in Switzerland. France, Austria, Germany and Italy all border Switzerland and offer far better prices and value.

Conclusion

Golfing in Switzerland presents a unique blend of challenges and rewards. Despite the high costs associated with the sport and the country’s limited number of courses, Switzerland offers a distinctive golfing experience marked by breathtaking landscapes, well-kept facilities and growing accessibility to the masses. 

The cultural nuances, language barriers and the requirement for an official handicap may pose initial challenges but they contribute to a golfing environment that fosters skill development and helps when booking a tee time. 

While not the most budget-friendly destination, Switzerland’s golfing scene appeals to those who appreciate walking, year-round play and the camaraderie shared among diverse golfers. Ultimately, while not the go-to spot for a golf holiday, Switzerland’s golf courses add a distinctive aspect to golf’s global narrative.

Editor’s Note: Jamie works as an ice technician for curling facilities and events, which is what led him to moving to Switzerland. As the MyGolfSpy Forum Director, he has a deep passion for golfing and sharing his experiences with the MyGolfSpy community.