This shows that holidays in the mountains aren’t just a recent thing. Natives from the Provencal or Nice regions gently remind us that their parents used to leave the coast with the first heat of July at the end of the school exams to be back at the end of August for the new school term. There are more and more golfers looking to satisfy their passion in a mountainous environment. No doubt that some relieves are not always suitable to the architecture of golf (some golf courses being cow fields or ski slopes used for crossing) but the players are consoled in knowing that the altitude is capital in producing fresh red blood cells! So put your golf clubs in the boot of your car and set off for a special golf trip in the mountains across the Alps, the Riviera at Haut-Adige and passing by Mount Blanc, the Jungfrau, and the Tyrol, where most charming golf courses are unknown to many people. Don’t forget to bring warm jumpers, umbrellas and maps of course!

Taulane

Golf : www.chateau-taulane.com
Hôtel du golf
Restaurant gastronomique du golf
Le Teillon : www.auberge-teillon.com

Taulane, on the “Route Napoléon”
This road, first called ”the Grand Chemin”, led the Emperor in 1815 from Golf Juan to Lyon passing by Grasse, Digne, Gap, Grenoble. In 1932 it became the Napoleon’s road linking, in medieval times, the counties of Provence, Dauphine and Savoy and leading to the “via salinaria”, the Roman “Route du Sel” and finally leading to The Salines of Castellan.
Golfers can stop off at Tulane in the 3280 feet altitude Logis du Pin settled in a pine forest surrounded by hillock in which the Lachens reach over a 4563 feet altitude. Facing the lake nearby the 9 to18 golf courses greens, the castle, built in 1750 just for the Marchioness of Lisle whose title was given to the great restaurant, which has been refurbished, 45 charming and comfortable rooms have been furnished in this luxurious hostel****
Within this fine greenery, the South African champion Gary Player designed a fine quality golf course which was right from the start well reckoned out to adapt to all handicaps. Classed amongst the best 20 in France, it is a forest/mountain golf course. Civilization noises never interfere with people’s concentration except sometimes when a golfer is being brought in by helicopter. You will also find a heated swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, 4x4 tracking and have the possibility to visit to The Gorge de Verdon.

Bayard

Golf : www.ville-gap.fr
Restaurant Le Pasturier cuisine gastronomique
Tél 04 92 53 63 29
Restaurant Le tourton des Alpes spécialités régionales
Tél 04 92 53 90 91
Restaurant Le petit Renard terroir et gastronomie
Tél 04 92 50 06 20
Le Château des Herbeys : www.hotel-restaurant-delas.com
Office du Tourisme : www.ville-gap.fr

Bayard,
After the building of the fortress walls of Castellan, Digne and Sisteron, which is close to the Durance river, came the dividing line between Provence and Dauphine with the Col Bayard. Just before the peak, Gap is called the “sweet capital” of the Southern Alps because of its sunny climate (300 days a year at an altitude of 2411 feet), the cathedral and its portal bell, the attractive ancient colourful houses as well as the Fameux Café du Lycée being the greatest ‘brasserie’ to be found. 7km from there is the 4100 feet altitude Plateau de Bayard being a centre for oxygenation offering 37 miles of ski slopes in winter and a very beautiful 18 holed golf course designed in 1989 by H. Lambert in the middle of a forest protecting from the wind but with very pretty views of Ecrins and the valleys and hills of Durance. From green 9 to beginning of 10 you can play whilst looking at an exceptional view over the valley with its lake and dam of Serre Poncon. For some golfers, the Golf Bayard golf course gives reference to the panoramic golf course: a dreamy view, no artificial noises, a great mountain setting, a moderate height and a good restaurant famous for its pastries and cakes. These are the reasons why booking in advance is important both for the stay and the mini-car if you didn’t have enough sport training! Be careful, don’t play 9 holes because the 9th is right at the plateau…. With the view!

Vercors

Golf : www.golfdecorrencon.com
L'Hôtel du Golf / restaurant / Spa : www.planete-vercors.com
Le Christiania / Chalet hôtel / cuisine gastronomique : www.hotel-le-christiania.fr
Casino de Villard de Lans
Office du Tourisme : www.ot-villard-de-lans.fr

At Vercors, silence and solitude
Between Die and Grenoble, altitude 3937 feet, the Vercors plateau surrounded by cliffs of more than 6560 feet is famous for its detachement from the rest. Nowadays the villages are particularly located around the Willard de Lans to offer: in winter a Northern ski resort of 80 miles, and in summer a quality golf course in which the well known Correncon is a good example. Ever since the landslide at the edge of the Gorges de la Bourne blocked the D131, we can only get through by Sassenage near Grenobles and the Route du Val de Lans just after Villard. Correncon’s golf course is very quiet and the isolation runs through the trees and the grassy slopes to the foot of the Grande Moucheronne 7493 feet not only visible from the highest point of 3772
feet from the golf course with a 14 green but also seen from other areas. It’s a real golf in the mountains going up and coming back down! The first hole, which is the longest 1459 feet goes up, and the last 433 feet jumps down to the bottom of the village. The other 16 holes are in a beautiful scenery of pine, spruce, beechnut, aspen, and maple trees where the ball has a tendency to roll down following the slope…. If you are silent and observant, you will be able to see the ibex, wild sheep (mouflon) or chamois, the Royal Eagle and Great Dame, Hazel-Grouse and grey hen, lyre-bird or the “butterfly bird”.

Méribel

Golf de Méribel : www.golf-meribel.com
Hôtel Allodis *** : www.hotelallodis.com
Les 3 hôtels de la Chaudanne *** : www.chaudanne.com
Hôtel Orée du Bois *** : www.meribel-oree.com
Restaurant le Blanchot tél 04 79 00 55 78
Hôtel Marie Blanche *** : www.marie-blanche.com
Office du Tourisme de Méribel : www.meribel.net

Méribel, In the Vanoise park
Created in 1963 to protect the ibex, the Vanoise park in Savoy, located between the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Modane, is the biggest natural reserve in Western Europe. Its 125km2 is populated with ibex, chamois, weasels, marmottes as well as eagles and great dame grouse and other animals pushed away by the expansion of the human habitations. Méribel is one of the 28 park communes located at the centre of the immense ski resort of the 3 valleys formed by the Isère sub-tributary: Doron des Allues, Doron de Belleville, and Doron de Rosière crowned by Courchevel. Méribel being the heart of the area because in 1938 it was the first site to be recognized as a future ski resort for winter sports. Méribel was also a golfing pioneer when Thierry Sprecher and Gerry Watine were asked to design a golf course at an altitude between 4900 feet and 5900 feet that opened in 1978. It holds 18 holes in the heart of the mountains where the fairways run along slight slopes through a pine tree forest and handed over to the golfers for the Méribel Golf Show from the 20th to 22nd August 2006. (The nine highest holes have been undergoing work since 2004) It is not a very long course (18169 feet ), but not as easy as it seems, miss the first hole and you will come across a water obstacle 442 feet from the tee on a narrow fairway. The 3 is quite long 16 of 1824 feet with a left dog-leg and the 9 is considered to be the nicest of the course. The 10 is on a green with different difficulty levels and the 13 has water on three sides of it but it’s such a panoramic place with the same title as the 18, open over a mountainous Vanoise horizon. A great final conclusion !


Chamonix
Golf : www.golfdechamonix.com
Hameau Albert Ier / Relais & Château / Hôtel / SPA / restaurant “Relais Gourmand” : www.hameaualbert.fr
Hotel Auberge Du Bois Prin **** / Château et Hôtels de France : www.boisprin.com/fr
Le Club Med : www.clubmed.fr
Casino Lucien Barrière : www.lucienbarriere.com
Office du Tourisme - www.chamonix.com

Megève
Golf : www.golf.megeve.com
Pro-Am Baronne Maurice de Rothschild - Mercredi 13 et Jeudi 14 juillet
Chalet du Mont d’Arbois Hôtel / SPA / Relais & Château : www.chalet-montarbois.com
Chalet Saint Georges / Châteaux et Hôtels de France : www.hotel-chaletstgeorges.com
Casino : www.casinos-jackpots.net
Office du Tourisme : www.megeve.com

Facing Mount Blanc
The Great Mount Blanc holds 2 golf courses, the course of Mont d’Arbois on one side and the oldest French golf course in the mountains Chamonix on the other. At 4265 feet the golf course designed by Henry Coton a former British champion, crosses the slight slopes to the foot of Mount Aroids being the oldest mountain golf course in France. Just like Megeve, it’s attractive, in both winter and summer because one can always bump into some celebrities who didn’t come to show off but to enjoy themselves and meet new people. This is always the case during the “snow cup” organized right in the middle of winter. The well reputed Chalet of Mount d’Arbois, takes a good care of guests in the best Rothschild tradition... Paradoxically, the most prestigious mountain golf course (the 3280 feet Chamonix course) between Mount Blanc and Brevent, is flat (except the 6 and the 16), running along the rumbling Arve torrents that the course crosses 7 times over. This torrent is definitely a water course which carries off numerous golf balls with no hope of getting them back! Trent Jones senior designed the present lay out in 1982. There are many benefits the main one, apart from the golf, being definitely the view: Mount Blanc, Aiguille du Midi, Aiguille Verte, Jorasses, Brevent….make up for a unique scenery which will possibly console any setbacks during the game as the fairways are narrow and bumpy and the water obstacles omnipresent!

Crans

Golf : www.golfcrans.ch
Excelsior Milahotels www.excelsior-milahotels.ch
Restaurant Le Cervin www.lecervin.ch
Restaurant www.hotel-montblanc.ch
Office du tourisme - www.crans-montana.ch

Spectacuar at Crans Switzerland…
From Chamonix to the Valasianne Switzerland, there is an amazing road which winds down passing through the sloppy vineyards to finally reach Martigny where art exhibitions from the Giannada foundation attract all passer-by amateur artists in the region. Further on the elegant ski resort of Crans sur Sierre is reputed for its panoramic view facing Mont Rose at the bottom of the Sion valley. Golfing is a tradition here dating back to 1905 when Arnold Lunn owner of the palace, decided to create 9 holes for his typically British clients at the time. Today the course taken over in 1955 by Severiano Ballesteros_ henceforth the protected title the European Omega Masters which attracts only the best players every year. One of them, Greg Norman wrote: “Your land is definitely the most spectacular golf courses for tournaments in the world “.The fact that on a beautiful morning between the most Easterly greens you are lucky to be having a view of Mount Blanc on your right, Cervin and Mount Rose in front of you and further West behind you the Béarnaise Alps and the white crest of the Jungfrau! Let’s not forget the hole number 7! It is classed amongst the most beautiful in the world by the specialist magazines (golf monthly). So as not to spoil all this, Jack Nicklaus designed a nine hole this is the third time round Helvetic prize winner

Bad Ragaz

Golf : www.resortragaz.ch
Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open - 11 Aug 2006 - 13 Aug 2006
Grands Hotels Quellenhof et Hof Ragaz / Health, Spa & Golf Resort /Gastronomie : www.resortragaz.ch
Hôtel Schloss Ragaz - www.hotelschlossragaz.ch
Casino Bad Ragaz : www.casinoragaz.ch
Office du Tourisme Bad Ragaz : www.spavillage.ch

Bad Ragaz Waters
The hot thermal water springs of Bad Ragaz, on the border of the Rhine between Liechtenstein and Croire at the foot of St Bernardino have been known for over a thousand years and offer the services of the Grand Hotel Quellenhof, a marble palace with Golf and spas. It is not a small pleasure after a game of golf to come and dive into the boiling hot waters of 38 degrees, have a steam or sauna and get a nice massage before heading off towards the “Abstube” distinguished by Gault and Millau for its fine regional cooking.
The golf and hotel resort was designed by Peter Harradine and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005. Just like the homologous Chamonix, it is surrounded by high mountain ranges covered with eternal snow. This is called the Grison country. Plotted out along the Rhine, its fairways are narrow, bordered with great ancient trees a stroke saver is often required to detect any obstacles. It is the preferred course for the Swiss Senior Open. At their 100th anniversary they used the occasion for the opening of the new 9 hole called Heidiland. On the other side of the Rhine lays the Maienfeld Park the fatherland of Johanna who told Heidi’s adventures, Vaduz the capital of Liechtenstein is found just a few kilometres from here.

St Moritz

Golf : www.engadin-golf.com
Carlton Hotel : www.engadin-golfhotels.ch, www.badruttspalace.com
Grand Restaurant : www.suvrettahouse.ch
Les Saisons : www.kempinski-stmoritz.ch
Casino St Moritz : www.casinostmoritz.ch
Office du Tourisme : www.stmoritz.ch

Engadine, or even higher up ?
St Moritz, the Engadine ski resort is the royal families favorite. Children, parents and all the families that crown Europe have been here at one time or another. Cognito or Incognito! However this resort welcomes golfers out of the ski season and is proud of holding the oldest Swiss golf course Samedan/Engadinedated from 1891.Forgetting that it was dethroned by Worldgolf to Tignes which is 6300 feet It is also the highest golf course in the whole of Europe at 5702 feet, The Engadine course is mostly flat with a number of lakes and brooks, but is swept by the Maloia otherwise known as the Northern winds which slightly modify the rules of the game. This is the reason why the old seven century larches play a part in determining the players’ tactic. 15 minutes from Samedan, the zuoz-Madulain designed by the Canadian architect Lee Furber designed the original golf course in a wood however the uneven land slanted down some 164 feet : it’s a risk for the game but it offers a magnificent view over the surrounding mountains and villages of Zuoz and Madulain; giving an attractive effect. There is finalist the 9 hot dog Kulm park redesigned by MarioVerdieri located in a scenery of green mountains equally a « drive « from St Moritz.

Kitzbuhel

Golf : www.kitzbuehel.com/golf
A-Rosa Resort / Grand SPA resort : www.a-rosa.de
Sport- Wellnesshotel Bichlhof : www.bichlhof.at
Alpenhotel Kitzbühel : www.alpenhotel-kitzbuehel.at
Garden SPA Hotel Erika : www.erika-kitz.at
Casino : www.kitzbuehel.casinos.at
Office du Tourisme : www.kitzbuehel.com

Kitzbuhel
Known as being the Austrian fetish ski resort for the Alpine competitions Kitzbuhl has watched the greatest of the champions on the slopes of Hanenkamn. It’s also a destination for golfers as it holds the golfing festival in June over 4 courses (54 holes) and a marathon of 100 holes very often visited. One must say that it is really an ideal place as it is surrounded by greenery and bushy forests in the Tyrol Alps an excellent photographic site with its panoramic views.
The Kitzbühel golf courses has been running for 50 years, there is the Kapps which is the Austrian mythic holding 9 holes but the resort counts another 9 holes, the Rasmushof near to the famous “ Strief “a few minutes from the centre, and especially two 18. The Schwarzsee, near the lake holds some water obstacles, and a valley return. The first two holes are selective: a 5 of 1640 feet followed by a 4 of 1377 feet. Also watch out for the 16 one by 3 and called the Witch because it has been taken over by a raven. Locally the hole 20 gives reference to the Shwarzsee (black lake)! Eichenheim designed by Kyle Phillips Kings barn (Scotland) and Morgan Creek (California) is quoted in the Peugeot guide. Each hole has its own personal trait in function with the surrounding country land problems; brooks…Many tees are heightened to enable the player to get a good panoramic view. The terraced restaurant sits 400 people during the concerts. I mean we are in the country of the famous Mozart and Strauss!

Dolomites

Golf : www.dolomitigolf.it
Hotel Weinegg : www.weinegg.com
Hotel Honenwart : www.hohenwart.com
Hotel Lindenhof : www.lindenhof.it
Restaurant Waldheim : www.hotelwaldheim.it/de
Restaurant Miramonti : www.miramonti-hotel.it

In The Dolomites
After the Austrian Alps, the Col du Brenner opens the gateway into Italy or Haute Adige where the influence of the Austro-
Hungarian emperor is still manifested in the local language with a touch of German influence the typical Tyrolean
architecture leads up to the Garde lake. When going down here you get the experience of the marvellous Italian Alps, The
Dolomites have a new and amazing golf course here which holds the same name. To come across it you have to go down until
Bolzano and take the Route du Col Palade. The Dolomites Golf course is to be found in Sarnonico and is located more than 2624 feet away from the lake in a park looking over the harmonions Penegal in the Maddalene range. Each hole has got its own
characteristics wilaya a specific vies over a different country: hole 12 Cave Reno, 13 the Sarnnonico, the 14 the Bourgade de
Fond, 15 frames the Dolomites de Brenta and the 16 the bells of the Seio Church it really is a panoramic all round view…

Highest golf courses in the world

Highest golf courses in the world
At 14,335 feet (4372 m) above sea level, the Tuctu Golf Club at Morococha in Peru has been for long time in the Guiness Book
as the highest course in the world. In fact, swallowed up in clouds and dense vegetation, it is not in a very good shape and bas now been abandoned. Even that, at its nose-bleeding altitude, it is not recommended to play without acclimatizing. People could still experience problems at lower altitude like 11,000 feet at La Paz Golf Club which is now the highest course. "Headaches, nausea, edema, and even death can occur when people are not acclimatized to high elevations. "say the doctors. Here is a list of the high mountains golf courses in the world:
• La Paz Golf Club, La Paz, Bolivia : 3 600 m
• Jade Dragon Snow, Yunnan Province, China : 3 300 m
• Copper Creek GC, Copper Mountain, Col, USA : 3 250 m
• Mt. Massive GC, Leadville, Colorado, USA : 3 180 m
• Telluride GC, Telluride, Col, USA : 3 150 m
• Breckenridge GC, Breckenridge, Col, USA : 3 100 m
• The Lodge GC, Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA : 3 050 m
• Gulmarg GC, Jammu & Kashmir : 2 900 m
• Vialatta GC, Sestriere, France : 2 300 m
• Incline Village Golf, Nevada, USA : 2 250 m
• Tignes GC, Tignes, France : 2 150 m
• Edgewood GC, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA : 2 100 m
• Kananaskis GC, Alberta, Canada : 1 900 m