W

herever you seem to go in the world, the best hotels are run by the Swiss. It seems their unique combination of flair and efficiency, linked to the experience of their own considerable hotel industry, makes for relaxed guests whether it be in Geneva or Manila.

Golf in Switzerland

The development of golf in Switzerland has been somewhat less dramatic than that witnessed recently in France and Germany. This is doubtless as a consequence of a shortage of suitable land and the inevitably seasonal nature of the game in most of their terrain, plus the fact that the Swiss yodel a lot and you can’t do both at the same time. Although we did hear of the Swiss entrepreneur who tried to encourage golf on skis, but it didn’t come off – still you can’t win them all.

Two courses, open all year, are located in the Ticino, the beautiful lake district shared with Italy. The furthest south is Lugano, founded in 1923 and set in rolling parkland. The course measures 5.775m with a par of 71 and makes a maximum use of a river running through the course which comes into play on no less than seven holes. Its neighbour to the North, Ascona, by the shore of Lake Maggiore, is five years younger, but is similar in character.

Lugano golf course

There is a group of six courses in the East of the country in an area more noted for skiing and, as you would expect, only one is open year round. Bad Ragaz is set at only 520m altitude and is a parkland course with mountain views. All the rest enjoy mountain air over a thousand metres, with Arosa at nearly twice that height and Vulpera having only nine holes and open between late May and early October. Among the four eighteen hole courses is Engadine Samedan, one of Switzerland's oldest, founded in 1893 and sited near St Moritz. The others are Lenzerheide and Davos, famous for their alpine locations.

Arosa golf course, East Switzerland

Geneva is well served for golf with six layouts within close range, most fairly recent developments, except the Geneva Golf Club, which was founded in 1923. They are largely lightly wooded parkland courses, which become unplayable between mid-December and early March. Essery enjoys both eighteen and nine hole courses while Bonmont, De Bossey, Domaine Imperial and Maison Blanche can barely cope with local demand, fuelled additionally by the presence of the U.N.

Blumisberg, near Bern

Driving North round Lake Geneva, Lausanne is open from April to November and boasts two Spanish and two British professionals. On the way to Lucerne stop off at Blumisberg near Bern to enjoy a rolling parkland course set in farming country. The historic Lucerne Club  has the most magnificent views of the Alps and has a similar season to Lausanne. On to Zurich, where the courses are out of commission from November to March. Dolder is a short-cut pretty nine hole course in undulating parkland, built as early as 1907. The remaining three eighteen hole courses in the immediate area, Zumikon, Breitenloo and Hittnau are long established parkland courses.

Dolder golf course, near Zurich

Before closing this incomplete survey of Switzerland's forty golf courses one must mention the course chosen to stage the country's premier professional event every year since 1948. Eminent winners have included Ballesteros, as early as '77, Faldo, Woosnam and Bob Charles in '74. Crans sur Sierre is set on a high mountain plateau at 1.500m in the Berner Alps and must be one of the most spectacular locations for a golf course anywhere.

Crans sur Sierre

In Switzerland, because the country has relatively few courses, they are generally busy, particularly those near major cities and at weekends. Additionally most have busy domestic programmes during the playing season, all of which combines to make clubs a little selective about their visitors.

Club membership and a handicap gives one a good start and a prior booking will prevent disappointment. Green fees in the week range from the Euro equivalent 50-100, the most expensive are those around Geneva. At weekends the fees are higher and one generally needs to be accompanied by a member. Don't be put off, the best will be well worth the effort.

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