Like sushi, flatscreen TVs, and real estate development on the Vltava River, golf is definitely “in” these days in the Czech Republic. Currently there are 70 top quality courses in the country, with more being developed all the time.
The sudden popularity of golf arrived with the excitement of growth and investment following the political changes in the early 1990s. The thrill hasn’t gone yet. Investors, now over the first novelty of building any kind of course, are focusing today on improving quality and expanding value-added amenities such as restaurants, hotels, and wellness programs.
But that doesn’t diminish the quality of the courses themselves. Many have been designed by the top pros: notably, Gary Player, who designed the Cihelny course near Karlovy Vary; Les Furber and Jim Eremko, at Karlštejn; John Burns, Konopiště; and the newest courses, by Jeremy Ford with Alex Čejka and Keith Preston, at Zbraslav, and Albatros.
The prime golfing season in this country runs from the end of March till the end of October. Most clubs and courses are semi-private: golf clubs hold their own tournaments, but the courses are often open to non- members and visitors for a fee. Rest assured, there are plenty of pro shops and golf equipment rental services, and most courses offer lessons with a professional coach.
The traditional professional golf associations are here, too, among them the Professional Golf Association of the Czech Republic (PGAC), and the Czech Golf Federation (CGF). This group oversees about two dozen amateur tournaments per year, and works to develop Junior Golf.
If you want to sample the variety of clubs throughout the country, you can become a member of the CGF for as little as CZK 3,000. This yearly fee allows you to play at any course or club (greens fees excluded), compete in tournaments, and establish a handicap. “Open Days” are offered occasionally, when anyone is welcome to play a particular course on a particular day for absolutely free. Free clubs, lessons, and explanation of rules are all included.
On other days, you may find the price of play surprisingly attractive. Says Miroslav Holub, General Secretary of the CGF, “There are courses in the Czech Republic that are beautiful and you can play 18 holes for CZK 400.” Within one hour of Prague you can play nice courses for CZK 800, and in Prague you can play 9 holes at places like Hodovicky and Hostovar for about CZK 600, the secretary says.
And just in case you’re still not convinced about the quality of Czech golf, consider the company you’ll be playing among. The international conference “Golf Business Forum 2005” was held in this country, and the highly prestigious St Andrews and Jacques Leglise Trophies took place here in 2006.