Poděbrady

Podebrady is a 17th century spa town situated around 50 kilometres east of Prague. The town’s 6,684-yard, par 72, golf course is one of the more established layouts in the country, having been constructed in 1961.

Laid out on the banks of the River Labe by a couple of architects previously unknown to us – B. Wagner and K. Havelka – the 18-hole Poděbrady course is routed over fairly level ground on the floodplain of the river, within a mature forest.

Because of its proximity to water, fairways are generally lush, with several small ponds coming into play along the way. Greens are well proportioned and lightly bunkered so a good score can be posted if the ball can be kept out of the trees that line most fairways.

The main feature on the front nine is the number of demanding par four holes to be played – seven of the opening eight holes, in fact. The first par three used to be the 9th before the introduction of the new 2nd and there are only two more short holes (back-to-back at 15 and 16) on the scorecard.

Four holes – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 18th – were redesigned in 2020 by Jacub Cervenka, with earth movement kept to a minimum during the construction of open greens, clearly visible bunkers and attractive grass mounding.