150 - Golf Club de Geneve

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Rating: 8.2

One of the most well manicured parkland courses you’re ever likely to come across. Golf Club de Geneve is a very short drive across the border from France and a beautiful golf course. I don’t think I’ve played many rounds where I’ve seen as many people mowing lines into the fairway as I did here, was truly spectacular to see how much care and attention they were putting into the course especially in an area where I can imagine salaries are very high. Was really nice to see!

The course overall is a traditional parkland one with a touch of class to it. A few hundred meters from Lake Geneva, it has enough changes in elevation to make it interesting to play without being a tough walk. The fairways were in almost pristine condition and the greens were very very good. I started my round early in the morning and they were slow due to the dew but by late morning they were playing very quick. Probably the defining feature of the course in my eyes were the bunkers, they were immaculate, probably some of the best I have seen. There has been so much effort put into them in terms of the design and care, they’re certainly ones to avoid on your round as they’ve got subtle inlets making shots very tricky.

The holes are your general parkland ones with treelined fairways and the odd stream crossing and probably the only thing I would say that differentiates this course from a world class one is you can see most of the holes on the respective 9 you are playing, removing some of the mystique you get at courses other prestigious ones. What I would say though is if I was to pick a course to be a member at this would be right at the very top, I could come and play here any day of the week, any time of the day. The condition of the course is to be savoured and it is not a brutal challenge, many of the fairways are wide enough to hit and apart from a few holes with water or thick bush you’re not likely to lose many balls.

The clubhouse is also beautiful and the 9th & 18th holes share a ginormous green, it’s a spectacular sight as you rise up both holes towards it. Inside the clubhouse there’s a lovely restaurant and a terrace to watch golfers finishing their 9 and downstairs a lovely little pro shop. The practice facilities are very good, you get access to unlimited balls on the range and there’s a pitching area as well as a nice putting green.

Whilst the price is dear at circa 250 CHF for a round, the experience is great, the hospitality is great and I only wish I’d had more time to stay for a bite to eat and a drink.