THE LOWDOWN ON Czech Republic
It has more pedigree in golf than you might imagine, and this vibrant country is poised to make an even bigger mark on the game
The Czech Republic is an uncovered secret not only for a great golf experience but also for cities and places inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list.
Prague, the capital of the country, is just a two-hour flight or even less from the majority of European airports – a flight from London to Prague airport takes only 90 minutes.
In the heart of Europe, this country is a safe and friendly destination, where visitors can admire many historical and cultural sights, enjoy the hospitality of local people and take advantage of a surprisingly high quality of golf options. This all makes the visit a quite unforgettable experience.
Probably the most attractive place for tourists is Prague, the ‘City of 100 Spires’ with more than 15 golf courses located within an hour’s drive of the city centre.
Another famous Czech region is West Bohemia, where the first courses were established more than 100 years ago in the spa towns of Karlovy Vary (1904) and Marianske Lazne (1905).
This provides the ideal chance to combine a Prague city break with relaxation in one of the famous spa towns.
Other regions worth considering are North and South Moravia, well known for its wine production, local traditions and attractive golf products.
Despite the fact the entire country has more than 100 golf courses, the number of Czech golfers is still low, which means the destination is a stress-free paradise for golf tourists!
This all makes the Czech Republic a great destination for a long weekend or week’s holiday full of cultural, sightseeing, spa, golf and relaxing experience. So take the opportunity to enjoy great golf, including PGA courses, and have fun in Czechia!
Prague – the gateway to great golf
With many historical and cultural highlights, Prague is a great place to relax, enjoy sightseeing, shopping and taking a chance to taste local cuisine, especially the famous roast pork, Czech dumplings and a glass of Czech lager.
Visitors to Prague should not miss Prague Castle – the biggest castle grounds in the world, or the magnificent Charles Bridge, which is filled with pedestrians walking from Old Town Square towards the Castle.
Great meals, drinks, culture, opera, shopping, nightlife, brewery and winery tours, wellness and spas are all available to meet your holiday wishes.
Among the 18-hole golf courses around Prague you will find a wide range of options. You can play right in the city, on municipal-style layouts, or enjoy nice holiday courses around the Czech
capital, where you can also explore the beautiful countryside.
If you are looking for a unique golf experience with the highest standard of services, make sure to explore the following three premium venues...
Albatross Golf Resort
This 18-hole championship golf course opened in 2009 in the vicinity of Prague and was designed by Keith Preston. The course was built with a vision to create the best course in the Czech Republic and is maintained with the highest attention to detail. The elegantly shaped contours in the moderately hilly terrain has rust-coloured rocks lining water hazards that make for a striking layout.
The splendid clubhouse hosts a renowned restaurant with a considerable terrace overlooking a large putting green and the whole of the course.
Albatross is located about 35 minutes from Prague’s historic centre and only 20 minutes from Prague airport.
The course hosted the Ladies European Tour and it has been the official home to the European Tour (D+D Real Czech Masters) since 2014, as well as an official member of European Tour Properties.
Panorama Golf Resort
This 27-hole golf course was opened in 2016 in the beautiful area of Posazavi. Designed by an international team led by Libor Jirasek, Michael Terech and Rainer Preissmann, the resort is located an hour from the centre of Prague and offers a challenging golf experience.
The first nine, Forest, offers very interesting and challenging holes, the second loop of nine, Meadows, is quite demanding and undulating, while the final nine, River, near to the Sazava River, is more demanding because of the many water hazards.
Players can also enjoy a modern clubhouse which boasts an elegant interior and a relaxing terrace. There is also a great restaurant that serves local specialties as well as a modern hotel with facilities. Panorama is the best Czech course of recent years, according to Golf
Digest readers, and will host the Challenge Tour from 2022.
Oaks PGA National Czech Republic
This venue is the new premium golf experience in the Czech Republic, having opened in August 2020. The 18-hole course was created by leading designer Kyle Phillips, who has designed courses on every continent including three of the world’s top 100 – Kingsbarns in Scotland, California Club in the USA and South Cape in South Korea.
It is part of Oaks Prague, a modern community of premium homes nestled in a beautiful, 140-hectare country estate south-east of Prague city centre.
The course is a trailblazer in environmentally sustainable golf design and is operated by Troon Privé, the private club division of Troon Golf, the world’s foremost golf management company.
Located just over half-an-hour by car from Prague, Oaks PGA is the winner of a World Golf Award in the category of the ‘Czech Republic’s Best Golf Course 2020’ and ‘Europe’s Best Golf Courses 2020’. Test yourself at this PGA golf course during your golf break to Prague.
Attractions off the course
There is a wide range of hotels in Prague to meet all standards, from excellent four-star hotels to luxury fivestar properties.
One of the most popular hotels among golfers is the modern and cosy Pentahotel Prague.
Located in a lively area, close to the city centre, with many bars, restaurants and pubs nearby, it provides a restaurant, fitness centre and stylish rooms with air-conditioning.
All rooms provide a 42” flat-screen TV with free movie channels, ipod docking station, coffee and tea making facilities, safety deposit box and free Wifi. The private bathroom comes with a rainshower. In the lifestyle lobby, exotic cocktails as well as quality Czech lager can be enjoyed at the 24-hour bar. Prague’s historic centre is only 10 minutes by taxi or you can easily use public transportation.
West Bohemia
Combining Prague and West Bohemia with the region’s spas and the country’s oldest golf courses has become very popular for a week-long holiday. The journey from Prague airport takes only about 90 minutes by car and more than six interesting 18-hole courses are available in this area.
Karlovy Vary combines modern life with the elegance of the last centuries and is well known especially for Moser Glass, International Film Festival or the herb liquor called Becherovka.
Marianske Lazne is a smaller but also picturesque spa town with the Neo Baroque Spa Colonnade, magnificent parks and a singing fountain. If you decide to stay here, you cannot miss the grand, luxurious Falkensteiner Hotel Grand Medspa Marienbad.
The guests will appreciate spacious and cosy rooms as well as an elegant bar with library and summer terrace for evening relaxation. This recently refurbished luxury hotel offers unique relaxation facilities as it offers the only outdoor pool in town, plus four more indoor pools and caddie room, with the option to charge your golf trolley.
The hotel offers half-board supplements both for individual tourist and groups, plus a special menu for dinner every Saturday. If you travel with family or kids and are looking for nongolfing activities, this venue will meet all your needs and the hotel concierge will
assist with any additional requirements such as local sightseeing or excursions.
Golf events for amateur golfers
Looking for a golf competition too? Looking for new golf friendships and, above all, for warm hospitality and fun? Or just need a golf escape after the Covid-19 crisis?
Then the annual international golf events in Prague are the perfect opportunity for you. They have been organised by leading local golf travel specialists in association with the best industry suppliers since 2011.
Czech Golf Festival is a special summer event that provides a golf experience in Prague and includes a high standard of courses. Enjoy welcome and prize presentation dinners, sightseeing tours, all golf and airport transfers and much more, including great prizes in July.
If you are thinking of a holiday later in 2021, consider special autumn golf event the Prague Golf Trophy. The 2021 edition is based on championship golf at Albatross, Panorama and Oaks PGA and will be held from October 1. A fully serviced programme with attractive prizes awaits you.