The wide open spaces and crystal clear air of Switzerland’s Engadine Valley is a great place for an Alpine round of golf against a backdrop of majestic mountains and expansive blue skies.
Particularly as the Engadine is easily accessible by car from every corner of Europe. Enabling visitors to throw their clubs in the boot and maintain a socially distanced bubble on their travel.
The iconic Kulm Hotel St. Moritz or its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof in nearby Pontresina are two luxurious grand dames with plenty of public areas and private grounds to relax in after a round at one of the region’s three courses.
Golfing traditions
Golf has long been associated with the Kulm Hotel, which established its own historic course in 1891 (Pictured above with the Kulm Hotel in the background) , making it one of the first in Switzerland.
The 9-hole, par 3 meanders up and down hills, past the Olympia Bob Run and the former Olympic Stadium, through shady pine copses whilst also enjoying superb vistas over Lake St. Moritz, all just a 7 iron from the Kulm Hotel.
Built at a height of 1,860 metres (among the highest in Europe), the mountainous layout makes it physically demanding, which makes the post-golf drinks on the terrace of the Chesa al Parc club house taste all the sweeter.
Meanwhile the Engadine Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Switzerland, has two courses: Samedan and Zuoz-Madulain. Which are a 10 and 20 minute drive respectively from the Kulm Hotel and Grand Hotel Kronenhof.
The first Swiss 18-hole golf course
In 1893, Samedan was the first 18-hole golf course to open its doors in Switzerland. A classic, parkland course, Samedan is set mainly on the valley floor. Though some gently undulating holes and greens give the course a links feel. Its broad fairways are flanked by ancient, giant larch trees, some of which are over 700 years old, whilst a host of water hazards make for a tricky golfing challenge.
Zuoz-Madulain (known simply as Zuoz to the locals) opened in 2003 and was designed by the renowned Canadian golf course architect Les Furber. In contrast to the golf course in Samedan, the layout at Zuoz offers a challenging combination of undulating fairways, elevation changes and receptive greens, plus a super attractive setting as it is flanked on one side by natural thick pine forest, which has made it very popular among the golfing community.
