As with all the other European charts we’ve been updating over the last thirteen months, the rankings for Switzerland have been compiled by a new panel assembled for that specific purpose and we thank every one of these committed golfers for their valued contributions. Nine courses climb up the new listings, eight drop down and eight remain in the same place.
Domaine Imperial
One of the non-movers is the 18-hole course at Golf Club du Domaine Impérial which retains its position as the #1 golfing layout in Switzerland for the eighth straight edition. Officially, the layout is a Pete Dye design but his associate at the time, Tim Liddy, was the man on site who actually oversaw construction of the course.
Set out on land by the northern shores of Lake Geneva, the fairways occupy an estate that was once owned by Joseph Bonepart (elder brother of Napoléon Bonepart) and the 19th century manor house, La Villa Prangins, now operates as a rather grand clubhouse for the golfers who play here.
Zürich
The 18-hole layout at Golf & Country Club Zürich dropped out of the Top 10 bracket in 2018 but it now soars six places back up the chart to #5, following a renovation carried out recently by Thomas Himmel. Originally designed by Tom Williamson almost a century ago, the course was later remodelled by Tom Simpson in the mid-1930s then further upgraded by Donald Harradine during the 1970s so its architectural pedigree is one to be admired.
Breitenloo
Located ten kilometres east of Zurich airport, the course at Golfclub Breitenloo rises four places to #11 in our new Swiss standings. Founded in 1964, the club engaged both Frank Pennink and Donald Harradine to develop the course in its formative years before Kurt Rossknect upgraded the layout in 2004. Importantly, a recent bunker renovation by Staedler & Reinmuth GolfDesign has contributed substantially towards improving the ranking fortunes of the course.
Hittnau-Zürich
The Golf and Country Club Hittnau-Zürich course (up six to #18) lies half an hour’s drive southeast of Breitenloo, with the original 9-hole layout the work of renowned architect Bernhard von Limburger. Donald Harradine revised the layout after it had been extended to eighteen holes before Kurt Rossknect redesigned more than half the holes in 2015/16. Occupying a hilly landscape with lovely old trees, streams and lakes coming into play, this Alpine beauty is quite the testing track in a wonderful setting.
Golfpark Zürichsee
First opened for business in 1998, the Golfpark Zürichsee course (up five to #20) is laid out in a former gravel quarry, where Peter Harradine fashioned the initial 9-hole layout at what was then called Nuolen Golf Park. Twenty years later, Kurt Rossnecht added another nine holes, with water now featuring regularly, especially on the front nine where only three holes are free from any aquatic influence.
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Jim McCann
Editor
Top 100 Golf Courses
