WALLGAU, Germany — Located near Wallgau in Upper Bavaria, the hometown of legendary biathlete Magdalena Neuner, Karwendel Golf and Country Club offers an extraordinary alpine golf experience.
“At our course, golfers play on the 10,000-year-old river terraces of the Isar River between the Karwendel and Wetterstein ranges. From every tee, they can see more than 40 peaks — from the Alpspitze and Zugspitze all the way into the Tyrolean Alps. I don’t know of a more beautiful setting for a round of golf in Germany,” said Hans Zahler, president of Karwendel Golf and Country Club.
Founded in 1992 and opened in 1993, the course was crafted by renowned architect Heinz Fehring, who previously mentored German golf icon Bernhard Langer. Fehring masterfully integrated the region’s natural hump meadows (Buckelwiesen) into the layout.
“Heinz Fehring laid out our nine holes in the rolling meadows of the Isar Valley — just as nature shaped them. No two fairways are alike. After your round, you can sit on the sunny terrace of our Bavarian Golfalm, enjoying a hearty snack while taking in the view of the mountains. This combination of thoughtful course design and genuine hospitality is what sets our club apart,” Zahler said.
Though structured around nine holes, the course is fully rated for an 18-hole round thanks to two separate tee boxes per hole. The first loop plays as a par 36 measuring 3,282 yards from the yellow tees (2,895 yards from red), while the second loop plays slightly shorter at 3,111 yards (2,724 yards from red), offering distinct strategic angles.
The ancient Isar river terraces introduce dynamic elevation changes and undulating fairways throughout the round. Key features include the scenic downhill par-3 second hole, where a wooden sign playfully promises 100 liters of free beer for a hole-in-one, and the formidable par-5 fourth hole, a 600-yard double-dogleg that serves as the layout’s toughest handicap hole.
Practical innovations, such as a camera and monitor at the fifth tee allowing players to verify that the elevated fairway ahead is clear, reflect the facility’s thoughtful design. Throughout the venue, a down-to-earth and welcoming atmosphere prevails. Guests are greeted at an alpine-style reception hut, while grazing sheep near the first tee set a charmingly relaxed tone.
After completing their round, golfers gather at the Bavarian Golfalm to enjoy hearty regional meals and refreshments on the sun-drenched terrace. Combining natural splendor, engaging architecture and authentic Bavarian warmth, Golf- undLandclub Karwendel stands as one of the region’s most memorable golfing destinations.
While in the area, golfers should also take advantage of some amazing points of interest nearby. Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, the region south of Munich seamlessly unites culinary artistry and untamed wilderness. Visitors can taste fine single malt at the Slyrs Whisky Distillery — which has won numerous World Whiskies Awards — and sample traditional cheeses at Naturkäserei Tegernseer Land, where guests can also observe the cheesemaking process.
Nearby, the turquoise waters of Lake Sylvenstein offer breathtaking views beneath soaring peaks, leading directly into the wild river landscape of the Isar Valley. Together, these destinations showcase the rich regional flavors and unspoiled natural beauty of Upper Bavaria.
If you are looking for a great match of genuine Bavarian hospitality, a unique golf experience and amazing off-course attractions, Karwendel Golf and Country Club should be on your bucket list.
