Late-Summer Golf in the Czech Republic – The Ultimate Golf Trip with the Guys

Bo Sjosten

Translated by AI

80 fine golf courses. Wonderful fall weather. A classic party city. And first-class beer for less than a euro (about a dollar) a half liter. What more could a bunch of golfing guys want?

Round up your favorite crew, pack your golf gear and take the short flight to Prague. Rent a car and drive around playing golf, eating good food and drinking good beer. All at very reasonable prices by Scandinavian standards. The perfect trip with the guys.

But to tell the truth, the Czech Republic has a lot to offer the whole family. Prague is a stunningly beautiful city with many historic buildings, charming squares and excellent shopping. The Old Town has so many streets and alleys to explore, in a maze that takes hours to master. If you’re the only golfer in the family, you can probably leave the others in the Old Town, slip off for a round of golf and come back before they’ve even missed you!

Prague City Golf Club

We started our trip with a round at the brand-new Prague City Golf Club. So new that it wasn’t quite finished when we were there; we could only play the back nine. The layout and quality are good, and it will probably be really good in a few years. Many ponds and bunkers were not yet finished, so it was hard to see exactly how it will turn out. The clubhouse is housed in a classic building, but with state-of-the-art interiors. Brand-new locker rooms, an elegant restaurant and a nice outdoor terrace. If you’re in Prague and short of time, Prague City Golf Club is a good option.

Benešov

We left Prague behind and headed for Benešov, a smaller town just south of Prague, about 45 minutes by car. Not much nightlife, but a number of good restaurants and beer joints. And close to several excellent golf courses, so Benešov can serve as a base for several days of golf outings.

Konopiště Golf Club

Just south of Benešov you’ll find Konopiště GC. The classic-style clubhouse, which is also the hotel, makes a very impressive first impression, and you’re not disappointed when you step inside. Everything is top class: a well-stocked pro shop, a fine restaurant with good food, and an excellent bar and outdoor terrace.

The golf is top class too. Konopiště has two 18-hole courses, D’Este and Radecký. The D’Este course climbs quickly, and already on the second hole you have a superb view over the valley. The front nine rolls through the landscape and finishes with a par 4 with the green on a small island. Not really a difficult hole, but water has a strange effect on the swing. Yes, we put a couple of balls in the pond.

The back nine isn’t quite as picturesque but is well worth playing. The other course, Radecký, also looked very beautiful. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for it this time, but we look forward to coming back. Konopiště GC is definitely worth a visit.

Písek

Farther south you’ll find the small town of Písek. It’s definitely worth staying a night in Písek, if only to stroll around the well-preserved town at sunset. Písek has the oldest bridge in the Czech Republic, from the 14th century. During the great floods in the summer of 2002, the water stood a full meter above the bridge, but it survived undamaged.

If you stay overnight in Písek, try the Hotel Biograf, which has an excellent restaurant and a bar with the most service-minded bartender in the Czech Republic, Mr. Kuba.

Prachensky Golf Club

Prachensky Golf Club, just south of Písek, is one of the more challenging courses we came across on this trip.

The approach on the very first hole is blind. More difficult holes follow, including a par 5 with a narrow fairway along a lake and a 185-meter (202-yard) par 3 with no fairway and the green on an island. Not for the high handicapper. But the course was in good condition, and the holes were interesting, if difficult. The back nine is a little easier, so when the round was over we felt fairly pleased after all. Even more pleased after a very good lunch in the high-class restaurant.

We recommend Prachensky for bogey golfers or better.

Golf Resort Monachus

A little farther south in Bohemia, right on the Austrian border, you’ll find Golf Resort Monachus. It’s actually so close to Austria that you can take the golf cart over to a course on the other side of the border and have a beer between rounds.

The course is a little easier and suits all handicaps, without being dull for the low handicapper. It winds alternately through woods and meadows, with an interesting layout. The surroundings are beautiful and very peaceful. Pure therapy for the soul to play here. A course we can recommend to every golfer.

Beroun Golf Resort

Last up this time was Beroun Golf Resort, just southwest of Prague. Last and also best. Beroun is a true championship course, with an exciting layout and in excellent condition.

Around the clubhouse the course looks a little flat, but appearances are deceptive. The climb starts on the very first hole, and soon you have a fantastic view of the course and the nearby town of Beroun. The course then winds through wooded terrain with big changes in elevation and delivers a number of exciting holes of varying difficulty. From the 17th green you look out over the course and clubhouse, a magnificent view. The last hole is a par 5 with the tee shot out over the valley. It really tempts you to go for it in two, but the green is well guarded by a small lake. A good finishing hole with challenges for players of every skill level.

The clubhouse is built in an ultramodern style, almost too modern. But all the facilities are top class, including the restaurant, which serves top-class food at budget prices. Eventually they will probably also figure out that people want somewhere to sit in the locker rooms…

Bonus

As a bonus we also got a sneak peek at the not-quite-finished Albatross Golf Resort, not far from the airport. The course looks really promising, and no expense has been spared on either the clubhouse or the course.