Undiscovered: Golf in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has serious golf pedigree, but now has a better offering to the travelling golfer than ever before.

Looking for a different destination for your golf weekend or holiday? The Czech map is overflowing with beautiful cities marked as UNESCO world heritage sites underlining historical landmarks and events which have become renowned getaway destinations and synonymous with charm, character, fun and relaxation.

Today, while golf grass seeds have taken root and matured in the leisure spa towns for over 100 years, Prague and all Czech regions are witnessing golf fever and world-class courses have burgeoned all over the country and amid the touristic hot spots.

You may be surprised to learn that there is a long tradition of quality golf in the Czech Republic. The first golf courses were opened in West Bohemia region in the spa towns of Karlovy Vary (1904) and Marianske Lazne (1905).

A low number of Czech golfers and more than 100 courses around the Czech Republic – many of them tested by international golf events including the European Tour – makes this country
a haven for golf tourists. For example in Prague and around you can discover more than 10 different 18-hole courses, most of them within a 30 to 60-minute drive from the heart of the city. Close to the area of Prague or West Bohemia there are other attractive golf regions around the Czech Republic, for example South or North Moravia. All are waiting to be discovered.

With incredible value for money and limitless cultural possibilities, there is no question every visitor is fulfilled by the mix of memorable golf plus sightseeing options and activities offered. The highest-quality services will pamper golfers to a top-level experience in a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Meals, drinks, theatre, opera, shopping, nightlife, brewery and winery tours, outdoors, wellness and spa…

you name it, you’ll find it at a high standard – and all within 90 minutes of flying time from the UK. It’s an ideal golfing destination, with great value for money, for a long weekend or even a week-long holiday.

Prague

The gateway to great golf

Lying at the centre of the Czech Republic, the delightful capital of Prague is often portrayed with the Vltava River meandering through its heart, running under the remarkable Charles Bridge filled with pedestrians walking from Old Town Square towards the Prague castle perched atop the skyline. Full of historic and cultural highlights, museums and beautiful small cobblestone streets. It is also a great place to relax, go shopping or enjoy many restaurants, bars and excellent nightlife. Stay in the heart of the city and play a few rounds of golf in the area. With comfortable and accessible golf transfers, this is easy. Discover for example one of the following great golf venues.

Panorama Golf Resort

– 45 minutes from the centre of Prague

This 27-hole course was opened in 2016 in the beautiful area of Posazavi and offers a very challenging golfing experience. All three nine holes (Forest, Meadows, River) are to be combined at will. Each part has its unique features offering unforgettable moments and variety of playing experiences in only one round of golf.

First nine, Forest, is the dominant one of the course and offers interesting and challenging holes. The second nine, Meadows, is quite demanding and undulating too, but both boast panoramic views. The third nine, River, lays near the Sazava River and is significantly less undulating but more demanding because of many water hazards. A modern clubhouse has a great restaurant that serves culinary specials based on regional products from an ecological farm and modern meeting and accommodation facilities are also available at the resort.

Loreta Golf Resort

– 35 minutes from the centre of Prague

This 18-hole course, designed by Keith Preston, with par 72 is situated in the beautiful countryside of Posazavi and was opened in June 2013. The architect has managed to make use of the local rugged landscape, preserve many hedgerows, woodland nooks and full-grown trees. So the course as a whole does not give the impression of new and raw. The design was created with regard to building a demanding course from the championship

tees as well as the fair and playable course for intermediate players of yellow and red tees. A practice area, trolley and buggy rental or lessons with a pro are also available here. In the background, guests can enjoy the clubhouse that offers all the comfort of a restaurant, pro shop, locker rooms, caddy room as well as relaxation, meeting and accommodation facilities.

Konopiste Golf Resort

– 45 minutes from the centre of Prague

This biggest golf resort in the Czech Republic opened the first 18 holes in 2002. Konopiste offers two high standard 18-hole courses – Radecky and d’Este. Players of all levels will enjoy the courses, carved and shaped sympathetically into the beautiful rolling hillside among forests. They provide a challenging but enchanting mix of woodland and parkland character.

The refurbished Manor House offers conference facilities and an excellent hotel with a stunning courtyard terrace. There is also a nine-hole public course, practice facilities, lessons with a pro, two restaurants, golf shop, trolley, golf buggies with GPS and equipment rental. Its large accommodation, relaxation and meeting facilities make it a unique golf and spa complex that is not to be missed in the Prague area.

West Bohemia

A golf paradise west of Prague airport

West Bohemia extends west from Prague to the south-west German border. The region is famous for its beautiful countryside, the healing hot springs and famous wellness centre in Karlovy Vary as well as beer- brewing in Plzen, home of Pilsner Urquell. You can also visit historic castles, museums, and enjoy quality restaurants, bars and the exciting nightlife.

Wellness and spa treatments are perfect for soothing aching muscles and the region caters for golfers with more than five striking courses, among them the country’s oldest in Marianske Lazne (also known as Marienbad) and Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad).

Stay in the heart of spa towns and enjoy great golf around them. If you decide to stay in the spa town of Marianske Lazne and are looking for a nice golfing break, you cannot miss the Falkensteiner Hotel Grand MedSpa Marienbad.

This is one of the best hotels in the town, built in authentical Art Nouveau style. You will appreciate spacious and cosy rooms as well as an elegant bar with library and summer terrace for evening relaxation.

It has unique relaxation facilities as it has the only outdoor pool in town – plus four more indoor pools as well as a caddy room. It offers half-board supplements both for individual tourist and groups and a special menu for dinner every Saturday. If you travel with family or kids and are looking for non-golf activities this venue will meet all your needs and the hotel concierge will help with local sightseeing or excursions.

During your trip to West Bohemia, if you stay in Karlovy Vary you will find many nice hotels including luxury venues. But there is one particularly special, if you prefer to stay in the heart of pure

countryside, in the gorgeous valley of the river Tepla yet still 10 minutes by taxi from the spa town centre – Cihelny Golf Resort (pictured above). Only 90 minutes from Prague airport, this all-embracing resort for activity, relaxation and golf lovers awaits, especially individual travellers or small groups. You will explore 18 holes by Gary Player that offer an exceptional experience. A modern clubhouse has recently-opened 36 air-conditioned rooms in vivid and cosy Scandinavian style along with nice relaxation and spa facilities (indoor swimming pool, whirpool, massages) combine to offer a great holiday experience both for golfers and non-golfers.

Combining Prague and West Bohemia, with the region’s spas and the country’s oldest courses has become very popular for short golf breaks or week-long holidays, both for the variety of cityscapes you can enjoy as well as great golf in both areas.

If you would like to visit Prague or West Bohemia or another Czech region during your next golfing holiday consider one of the sample golf packages below Or for more information or a tailor- made golf holiday, visit czech-republic- golf.com

Sample Packages: Prague or West Bohemia

Want to find out more?

Panorama Golf Resort: panoramagolf.cz
Loreta Golf Resort: loretagolf.cz
Konopiste Golf Resort: gcko.cz
Cihelny Golf Resort: golfresortcihelny.cz
Falkensteiner Hotel Marienbad: falkensteiner.com