I

n Austria, when the winter snow thaws skis are put away and they stop yodelling while golf clubs are taken out of winter storage, which allows for a twelve months long sportsman’s calendar. A similar metamorphosis happens in Bariloche, Argentina, in the southern hemisphere.

Mountain golf is something of a new phenomenon in the development of European Golf and can be enjoyed to the full in Austria. The popularity of the game has mushroomed in recent years. In the last ten years the number of golf courses in Austria has doubled which is a much faster rate than anywhere else in the world.

Mondsee view

Green fees on weekdays average around €60 per round, rising at weekends, but there are some courses that are substantially more expensive. Visitors receive a warm welcome everywhere, but a handicap certificate speeds access to all courses. Beginners may need to demonstrate some competence and knowledge of the rules. Be warned that many courses close in winter, due to their location, but it is possible to play in a surprising number of locations throughout the year.

Koestenberg golf course, Velden

The southernmost province of Carinthia, bordering Italy and Slovenia is Austria's premier golfing area. With 200 lakes and warm reliable summer weather the district is an ideal holiday destination. Velden is the jewel in this particular crown and of this there is more to follow.

Dellach golf course at Velden, Worthersee

A similar challenge and another wonderful course lies on the other side of lake Wörthersee at Dellach. It is the oldest course in Austria with fairways cut through the forest amid the most spectacular scenery. The third course around the lake is at Pörtschach on the Velden side of the lake. Also known as Moosburg it is easier walking than the others and snitches between mountainside and parkland.

Kleinkirchen golf course

One of Carinthia's best maintained courses is forty-five minutes from the Wöthersee at Bad Kleinkirchen and is open from May to September. The same distance away is Klopeinersee and this course, the fifth, would complete an enjoyable week's golf in the area. If you fly, Klagenfurt is extremely close.

Schwartzsee, Kitzbuehel

The Tyrol has been busy building golf courses to fill hotels in the other half of the year and as befits the splendour of Kitzbühel, it has one eighteen and two nine hole courses. The nine holes Schloss Kaps has wonderful views over the medieval town.

Wildmoos at Seefeld

At Seefeld there is an outstanding course in the middle of the mountains at just under 4.400 ft. It is hard walking, but well worth the effort to experiencing hitting a drive down through cloud. Some 20% extra length is available at this altitude, but another forty yards into the trees is no great benefit! In Pertisan cows graze the course in the evening, but local rules accommodate the evidence. The greens are fenced.

Zell am See

Other areas of Austria are equally well served for golf and it is worth closing with a mention of Gut Altentann, a Jack Nicklaus course half an hour's drive from Salzburg and the Fontana course near Vienna, the present home of the Austrian Open.

The 9th at Gut Altentann, near Salzburg

End