Schloss Ludersburg (Lakes)

The 18-hole Lakes course is situated about 45 minutes to the south of Hamburg and it’s the central attraction at the 40-hole Schloss Lüdersburg Golf Resort, which is well known even beyond the borders of Germany. The resort also boasts an historic 70-room hotel that dates from the 17th Century and the “Old Course”, a typical parkland layout designed by the German golf architect Dr. Siegmann in 1985, is supplemented by a short 4-hole course.

The Lakes course opened in 1999 and it’s fashioned in an American “inland links style” with vast expanses of water, challenging greens and tight fairways. For a number of years, the Lakes course was rated among the ten longest courses in Germany, measuring around 6,800 yards from the tips. It's plenty long from the members' tees as well, since they are identical to the back tees on all but five holes.

It’s hard to score well around here in the summer months due to the rough. The knee-high reed grass punishes inaccurate shots and a bunch of water hazards play their part in losing additional balls. The 8th and 12th are considered the “signature holes” of the Lakes course. No. 8 (par four, 412 yards Hcp. 3) is where it’s possible to play a shortcut over the huge pond, but the carry is at least 190 yards. Players with less length can bypass the pond, however, it’s then significantly harder to make par. No. 12 (par five 560 yards Hcp. 4) is one of the most challenging and spectacular holes on the course. It’s necessary to hit a long blind drive over a small hilltop into a dogleg, followed by two long and precise shots to avoid a large water hazard and to reach the safety of the green in regulation.

The course maintenance at Schloss Lüdersburg is usually top notch all year round. It does suffer during wet periods though, due to the local clay soil, which takes time to drain.