The Past, Present and Future of Golf in the Czech Republic

  • Golf in the Czech Republic? Yes. The Czech Republic is a country in which golf has both a long-standing tradition and a promising future. Currently, it boasts 70 top-quality golf courses, a strategic location in the heart of Europe, easy accessibility by all means of transport, high quality tourist infrastructure, hospitality and diversity. The Czech Republic is a country that treats golfers to the unique experience of playing the game amidst a combination of natural beauty and places of great historical interest; a country whose numerous cultural attractions make it a worldwide ‘superpower'.

  • Opportunities for golfing in the Czech Republic can be found in nearly all parts of the country. The boom in golf course construction, which coincided with the inflow of foreign investment after the political changes of 1989, continues. Investors now focus on high quality courses and facilities which include a variety of accommodation and wellness programmes. The quality of Czech golf courses is highlighted by the fact that many of them have been designed by prominent foreign architects, notably Gary Player (the Cihelny course near Karlovy Vary), Miguel A. Jimenez (the Čeladná course), Les Furber and Jim Eremko (the Karlštejn course), John Burns (the Konopiště course), Jeremy Ford with Alex Čejka and Keith Preston (the Zbraslav and the Albatros courses, which are currently under construction). Golf is deeply rooted in the Czech Republic. The first chapter in the history of this sport was written at the end of the 19th century with the first golfers appearing on Prague's Emperor Meadow (Císařská louka) in 1898.

  • The first Czech course was created in 1904 in the town of Karlovy Vary in the Teplá River valley as a response to the surging demand of spa clients. Although the course did not survive, it was followed a year later, on 21 August 1905, by another nine-hole course in Mariánské Lázně, which was officially opened by the English King Edward VII. Golf is played as a seasonal sport in the Czech Republic, from the end of March till the end of October. Most golf clubs and courses in the country operate on a semi-private basis. Golf clubs hold their own tournaments, but the courses are also open to non-members for a fee. The standard services are also provided here including restaurants, pro shops and golf equipment rental. Most golf courses offer the option of booking golf lessons with a professional coach. Czech golf clubs also provide the opportunity to participate in basic golf classes that last for several days. In addition, traditional golf organisations such as the Professional Golf Association of the Czech Republic (PGAC) and the Czech Golf Federation also operate in the Czech Republic. Czech golf courses are of high quality, and they provide both an interesting round and a unique atmosphere due to their environment and the opportunities they offer. In addition to the ‘traditional' courses, a number of brilliant new courses have been built over the past few years, which rise to international standards. The Czech Republic's significance as a golf destination is further enhanced by the fact that it was the venue of The Golf Business Forum 2005, an important international conference, held in June 2005 and the highly prestigious St. Andrews and Jacques Leglise Trophies in August 2006.

  • The Czech Republic is definitely the perfect place for your next wonderful golf holiday !!!
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