Golfing Region Grisons

When asked who the most famous Swiss woman is, almost all Swiss answer like a shot: Heidi! For over 100 years, Johanna Spyris' novel character has symbolized home and harmony. Heidi is at home in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, the country's largest canton in terms of area, because the region in eastern Switzerland is not characterized by large settlements, but by mountains and nature.

Graubünden: 615 lakes, over 900 mountain peaks, 15 golf courses

Over 90 percent of the area lies at an altitude of over 1,200 meters. Graubünden has 615 lakes and over 900 mountain peaks, almost 11,000 kilometers of hiking trails and 15 golf courses to offer. This is not the only reason why the canton is the most popular vacation region in the country. According to Mike Frei from the Graubünden Ferien tourism association, 5.1 million overnight stays were recorded in the hotels there last year. Holidaymakers come in summer and winter, spring and fall.

Golfing in Graubünden

The golfing tradition in Graubünden dates back to 1889 and was initiated by the British. Together with a local from St. Moritz, they made golf socially acceptable. A golf course was opened in Graubünden even before the first ski club was founded. What is special about the region today is the enormous density of golf courses. In Graubünden, most golf clubs and selected destinations and hotels work together to market themselves more effectively. There are 15 golf courses throughout the canton (one 27-hole course, eight 18-hole courses and six 9-hole courses). The courses are mostly alpine in character, criss-crossed by babbling mountain streams and surrounded by mature trees. The offer ranges from courses in the valley, such as the Domat/Ems golf course at an altitude of around 500 meters, to the physical challenge in Arosa. The course is situated at over 1,800 meters above sea level and has the highest tee in Europe at almost 1,900 meters. The ninth hole on the golf course in Sedrun is at least as spectacular: you even have to hit over the Rhine. However, it is still young and narrow there, near its source. Golf can also be played around the two well-known sports and luxury resorts of Davos and St. Moritz. As a special offer, there is a special golf card that allows holidaymakers to decide for themselves which courses they want to play on. For example, the card entitles you to three 18-hole courses or six nine-hole courses. Incidentally, the people of Eastern Switzerland are excellent hosts, which is due to the long tradition of the hospitality industry. Hotel facilities are well organized and offer something for every type of vacation. And so it is not surprising that golfers are also courted among the tourists: The organization of tee times, golf partners and coaches is just as much a matter of course in Switzerland's golf hotels as a shuttle service to the golf courses.

What to do if you don't feel like playing golf?

There are plenty of leisure activities on offer. For example, over 4,000 kilometers of trails of all levels of difficulty await mountain bikers. Those who prefer a quieter pace should visit the Swiss National Park in the Engadin. Covering 172 square kilometers, it is the largest natural landscape in Switzerland - and is home to a huge variety of animal and plant species. And if you're already there, you shouldn't miss a ride on the Bernina Express: The route has even been awarded UNESCO status and runs from Chur, St. Moritz and Davos up to the 2,253-metre-high Bernina Pass. The sophisticated resort of St. Moritz, the world's number one vacation destination in the Alps according to the tourism association, is also worth a day trip.

When is the best time to travel?

The best time to travel to Eastern Switzerland is between June and September, as most golf courses need longer to recover from the winter due to their altitude. The season on most courses is from May to October. However, there is no guarantee of sunshine even at this time of year. As temperatures rise in the mountains of Graubünden, so does the likelihood of rain. Spontaneity is therefore not a mistake.

What else should you know about a vacation in Graubünden?

Graubünden is the only region in Switzerland to be influenced by three language cultures: German, Romansh and Italian. Around 68 percent of the people in Graubünden speak German, 15 percent speak Romansh and ten percent speak Italian. A further seven percent speak other languages. Graubünden can be reached by car via the A13. From Munich to Chur, for example, it is around 280 kilometers. If you prefer to travel by plane, you can fly to Zurich. From there it is just under two hours by train to Chur. Or fly to Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance and take a shuttle to Graubünden within an hour.