Munich’s golf courses are more user-friendly than ever before
The long days of summer afford us the opportunity to enjoy the many outdoor activities Munich and its environs have to offer, such as a trip to the zoo, hiking and cycling or an evening at one of the city’s 50-plus beer gardens. But, if you’re looking to swap your beer mug for a golf club, Munich has many courses and driving ranges available. Believe it or not, there are close to 100 golf courses in and around Munich that offer playing and practice facilities for novices and pros alike.
Before you pack the clubs in the car or tote them onto the S-Bahn, however, there is one major requirement that must be met. In Germany, as in many parts of Europe, golfers need a license. The license is called a Platzreife or Platzerlaubnis card, which also serves as an insurance policy. If you don’t have a Platzreife card, but do have an established handicap card from another club and/or recognized Golf Federation or Association (e.g. USGA, R & A), you can still play as most courses accept these without asking that you be recertified. Most courses have a list of the alternative associations and federations that are accepted.
If you are not a card-carrying member of a foreign club, and are interested in playing, Platzreife programs are offered in English by just about every golf school in Munich. The governing body of golf in Germany, the Deutscher Golf Verband (DGV), does not mandate how new players receive their cards; just the guidelines that each course should follow. This means that individual clubs are entitled to create their own program within the DGV guidelines. The standard course consists of hands-on lessons, etiquette training (avoiding slow play is emphasized) and a brief rundown on the rules of the game. The length of the Platzreife course varies from club to club—some can last up to six weeks.
At the end of the program, the student is tested on his/her knowledge of etiquette and the rules of the game before taking a practical playing-ability test. Most programs have a certain target score that must be achieved playing five or six holes using a modified point system. Both the written and practical tests must be passed in order to achieve the Platzreife.
The Platzreife card is good for life and establishes a basic handicap, but it is only the beginning of the new golfer’s participation in the game. The philosophy of Platzreife programs is to introduce the basics of golf, which will act as a foundation for players to enjoy the game for a lifetime. Group members create friendships during the program, often booking tee times together after graduating. Many local golf courses recognize Platzreife cards and allow players reciprocating access to their clubs, regardless of handicap. However, some courses have nonmember handicap restrictions and may limit the number of guest players at their discretion.Once your papers are in order, the biggest question is where to go? There are a number of unique and demanding courses within a 20–30 kilometer radius of the city to suit all playing levels.
A great place to start is the Golfzentrum München-Riem. It is a “pay and play” course that is 15 minutes from Marienplatz on the S2 (to Erding, station Riem). Once off the train, the course is only 250 meters from the platform. Interestingly, the Golfzentrum München-Riem course and driving range is located on the infield of the horse track that was the site of the 1972 Olympic equestrian events. The original clubhouse still stands. Riem continues to host horse races, during which golfers are required to leave the course.
he facility offers a Platzreife program (in English), club membership, a partner’s club, a three-hole short course and the largest practice putting green in Munich. The double-tiered driving range is spacious and deep, over 240 meters long, and is floodlit until 10 pm. The nine holes are well suited for the beginner, at 2,085 meters long. The course can easily be played in two hours, allowing players time to enjoy the sport without having to commit a full day to the activity. Daniel Hahn, General Manager, understands that offering convenience is an advantage. “Time is important to people,” he says. “They don’t want to lose time to their hobby. Our course offers the customer a close location and a fast way to enjoy the game.” An example of this convenience is the use of honor boxes used to collect green fees for early-morning players.
Another course that challenges all skill levels without demanding hours away from family or other activities is Golf Range Brunnthal. It is located in the rural area of Kirchstockach, a 20-minute drive from the center of town. This course’s location and the relatively short time it takes to play a round make it one of the most popular around Munich. Membership is not necessary to play, but is available. Although the course is short (1,778 meters), it has some superb putting greens, both on the course and on the practice surfaces. Sylvia Eggeling, General Manager of Golf Range Brunnthal, has witnessed, first hand, the growing interest in golf. “Over the past two or three years the number of beginners we’ve had in our golf school has doubled,” she says. “Maybe this is because we have concentrated on making things simple and easy for anyone who comes here.” In addition to standard golf amenities, a full golf shop, an annual driving-range card and a partner’s club program, Golf Range Brunnthal also offers a Platzreife program (unfortunately not in English at the moment). They have created a special early-morning Platzreife session, prior to working hours, which has become very popular. Private lessons are also available and the club is affiliated with the David Ledbetter Golf Academy. Whether you like the idea of golfing on the infield of a horse track, or prefer a more rural setting, Golfzentrum München-Riem and Golf Range Brunnthal are both perfect locations to start, finish or break up a summer day.
But, if committing to a full day’s immersion in the game and playing 18 holes is more attractive, there are courses that can provide that experience. The 5,352-meter-long Golfpark-Anlange Aschheim, for example, is an outstanding golf course just off the A99, only 10 kilometers from Munich. This par-70 golf course welcomes players with a handicap of 36 or better. The staff at Aschheim, under the direction of Keith Benson, a former European Tour member and member of the British PGA since 1973, offer a teaching program that is tailored to the individual needs of students. The Einsteiger (introductory) package is a two-month course, during which participants become temporary members of the club and thus have access to all its facilities, lessons, the range and training in rules and etiquette. “That may be the most important part of the program,” says Benson. “Without proper on-course training, the game can be dangerous to the players.” Benson and his staff keep the program interesting by conducting chipping and putting tournaments that also combine an important aspect of the game—social interaction. The Einsteiger package provides not only an introduction to the game, but is also a way to earn yourself a Platzreife card.
For young players, Golfpark-Anlange Aschheim has a sizeable junior golf community. It is one of the largest locations of Global Golf, a program designed for juniors. Every year, Global Golf selects a junior golfer and sponsors that player in the annual Optimist International Junior Championship held in the United States.
One of the most technically advanced golf-learning centers in Munich is approximately 25 km from the city. Harthausen Golf Course is the home to the MOVE Academy. Director Jon Taylor and his staff integrate biomechanics, kinesiology and the psychology of learning into their instruction, basing some of their theories on the secret “move” with which PGA Tour legend Ben Hogan had so much success. “Knowledge is good only if you can share it with your students,” explains Taylor. He and his staff describe the three basics of the golf swing in a way students can understand. “The first thing we do with a beginner is to appraise their swing, abilities and needs, and then we begin to teach them,” he says. The staff at the MOVE Golf Academy want students to keep returning to the golf course and they organize golf-equipment demonstration days, at which players can try out the latest equipment from major manufacturers. The academy is equipped with computer video analysis so students can see their own swing and even compare it to that of golfing legends. They can also test their success on Harthausen’s 5,060-meter-long, par-69 course. Although seemingly short, the length should not fool anyone—this course is demanding, tight and a great test for any player.
These courses only scratch the surface of the golf that Munich has to offer. Perhaps the best way to investigate further is to enroll in a Schnupperkurs or taster course. These short introductory programs can give a player an overall impression of a facility as well as basic golf lessons.
For further information about golf courses in and around the area, visit www.golf-region.de. The site has links to the 150 courses in Bavaria and includes green fees, maps, directions and online tee-time booking for some courses. See you on the green! <<<
