So Many Reasons to Visit Germany, Here's Another | World's Best Golf Destinations

There Are So Many Reasons to Visit Germany, Here’s Another

To visit foreign countries and see the sights is a pleasure. To go there and play golf with locals is even better. Through the game – golfers can truly mesh with locals, walk the terrain and experience local traditions.

Scotland, Ireland, Spain and Portugal quickly come to mind when talking about quality golf in Europe. However, we teed it up in Germany from the southern region of Bavaria up to Düsseldorf and loved it.

About an hour train ride from Munich is Tegernsee, one of the most beautiful places in the world. It sits at the footsteps of the Alps. Lake Tegernsee is stunning and the many boutique hotels with its colorful balcony gardens are beyond charming. Anton Huber is a local farmer, hotelier, and brandy distiller there – trying his Fischerweber’s Brandy is a must.

Reasons to Visit Germany - Lake Tegernsee

One of the most beautiful places in the world — Lake Tegernsee

Tegernseer Golf Club is one of our favorite tracks in Europe. There are drastic slopes and amazing views of the lake and mountains. The golf course setting is as beautiful as any in the world. Nuns once tended to the cattle that roamed the beautiful green grass fields. The grass is a vibrant green — it’s moist and lush. Prayers are needed to hit the tight fairways here. Conveniently, a late 19th-century small prayer alter has been converted into a snack shack just behind the eighth green. With its cozy proximity to Munich — Oktoberfest and Tegernsee make for a brilliant and convenient two destination vacation.

To the north, about 405 miles/650 kilometers is the lovely city of Köln (Cologne). The Cologne Cathedral is one of the great landmarks in Europe. It was the tallest structure in the world at the time it was built in the early 1100’s. Even today, the Cathedral is the city’s second tallest structure.

Kölner Golfclub, the best putting surfaces we saw in Germany

Kölner Golfclub is also here. Built in 2014, the 45 holes of golf there are just getting their roots in the ground. There is the par 72 Championship Course, a par 63 Links Course, and a nine-hole short game course. Dave Pelz would approve of the practice facilities and they turn on the heater at the range when temps get close to 0 °C. In fact, Kölner Golfclub is actually a resort, there are 34 extremely stylish guest rooms.

Very modern clubhouse with nice veranda, a good menu and quality selection of German beers at Kölner Golf Club

Like most places in Germany, Kölner Golfclub is dog-friendly. We met “Bertha” the dog and her dad, Dr. Thilo Senst on the putting green. Bertha, a large Great Swiss Mountain sat near Dr. Senst’s bag while he hit a few putts. Bertha smiled from ear to ear the entire day.

The fescue greens in Köln were far and away the best we saw in Germany. The slopes and breaks were reminiscent of a Tom Fazio golf course in the States. Aside from the well-groomed golf course, perhaps its best feature is the modern clubhouse and restaurant. Their veranda overlooking #18 is perfect for post-round Reissdorf and Gaffel drafts.

Düsseldorf’s best two golf courses are across the street from each other, this is the entrance at Kosaido.

Straight north, 44 kilometers/27 miles is Düsseldorf, the home of Martin Kaymer. The two best golf courses here are directly across the street from one another. Hubbelrath Golf Club and Kosaido International Golf Club clubhouses are literally a driver apart. Fairways are lined with trees, there are small ponds and rolling hills are common in the area. Fresh apples are easy to grab at Hubbelrath – it’s a lovely layout. We played the front nine at Kosaido with a generous member – golfers are courteous all over the world.

Paraglider’s perspective of Lake Tegernsee in the south of Germany

Tegernseer, Köln and Düsseldorf – each are special in their own way. The charm of Tegernsee in Bavaria is hard to match anywhere. Köln is like a miniature Berlin and is called a “10-minute city,” walks are always 10 minutes or less. Düsseldorf is an interesting blend of old and new. There are many old beer houses along the Rhine River and a few blocks from the Rhine is some of the best shopping and modern architecture on the planet.

Every year tourists visit Germany for Rhine and Maine River cruises, the carnivals, Oktoberfest, food and beer. Here’s another reason — the golf.