Herzogswalde (Links & Parkland)

Situated on the northern edge of the Tharandt Forest, between Freiburg and Dresden, the 9-hole Links course was added to the existing Parkland nine at Golfclub Herzogswalde by Christian Althaus in 2017, creating an exciting new 18-hole layout for the club.

The course now extends to almost 6,300 metres from the back markers, playing to a par of 72, with the newer Links holes forming the front nine, followed by the original Parkland holes. The only significant water hazard on the outward half arrives at the short par four 9th, where the fairway narrows considerably as it approaches the green, with ponds to the left and right of the putting surface.

It’s not often you see a par three hole designated as stroke index 1 but that’s exactly the status of the 202-metre 7th here.Played from the highest point on the property, with wonderful views of the surrounding landscape, the hole features large bunkers to the front and left of the putting surface – the bale out area is obviously to the right but walking off the green with a “3” on your scorecard is no easy proposition.

On the longer inward half, the toughest hole is kept until last at the left doglegging 539-metre 18th. The tee shot must fly over a large pond and avoid a long fairway bunker on the left, whilst the approach shot must then carry a pond on the left (next to the 9th green) and avoid more bunkers to the right of and behind the home green – a par score here will feel like finishing with a birdie for most golfers