Shooting an ‘albatross’ — three shots below par for a hole — remains an elusive fantasy for most golfers, but in the wooded hills beyond Prague players can at least enjoy a round on one of Europe’s most rewarding parkland tracks.
Since opening in 2009, the Albatross Golf Resort has fast become the leading course in the Czech Republic, and one of the most enjoyable parkland layouts Europe has to offer.
Situated near the picturesque village of Vysoký Újezd, the course is just 30 minutes from downtown Prague, making it an ideal option for corporate entertaining on the tee or enjoying a few rounds in-between sightseeing.
The course is the brainchild of the architect Keith Preston, who has crafted memorable layouts across central Europe. On this 80-hectare site bordering the Cesky Kras nature reserve, Preston has created a course that is challenging and entertaining in equal measure.
Played from the championship tees the layout stretches to a daunting 7,500 yards; an intimidating prospect even for the big-hitters. Luckily, a good choice of tee boxes offers mid-handicappers the chance to tackle this course on their own terms.
The 18-hole championship track is laid out as two looped nines, with each challenged by water on its return to the clubhouse. While the fairways are often generous, there are more than 60 bunkers lying in wait for unwary shots, and the rough is unforgiving. Preston has also made full use of the undulating hills to heighten the challenge and intrigue of each hole.
The front-nine delivers a handful of amenable par-5s and forgiving par-4s, which offer players the chance to shave a few shots off their score. But, the 8th lies in wait: with the prevailing winds in play this par-4 is a sturdy test, with careful club selection and course management needed to score well.
The same applies to much of the testing back-nine, which finishes with three fiendishly tough holes. The par-4 17th is a classic risk-and-reward set-up off the tee, with players having to balance the temptation of a low score with the ever-present threat of water near the landing zone.
The dogleg of the par-4 18th is equally testing, with water threatening nearly the entire length of the fairway and a large lake guarding the green. To land and hold the green in regulation two shots requires a solid drive and confident second. Nerves of steel are optional.
That ever-present temptation of risk-and-reward has made the Albatross Golf Resort a fine choice for professional tournaments, and the course has fast become a staple on the pro circuit. Albatross Golf Resort has been an official European Tour venue for the past five years running, and in 2018 played host to the prestigious D+D Real Czech Masters.
The resort’s contemporary clubhouse overlooks the 18th green, with a host of luxury facilities ensuring a memorable day out. Alongside the well stocked pro-shop, players can make use of luxurious cloakrooms, modern conference rooms, club storage and extensive practice facilities. That includes a custom-fit service for players looking to fine-tune their equipment and improve their game. The club also boasts exclusive partnership agreements with Dubai Emirates, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Penati Golf Resort and Zala Golf Springs.
The course’s proximity to downtown Prague also ensures easy access to the enigmatic capital city of the Czech Republic. Start exploring in the Castle District of Hradèany, where the ornate St. Vitus Cathedral dominates the skyline. The church spires of Prague stretch out into the distance, with the Vltava River snaking through the city below. Cobbled paths lead down to the remarkable Charles Bridge and on to the historic Old Town Square, Staromĕstské Námestí, where travellers can admire the famed Astronomical Clock and layer cake of European architecture. Day trips to the town of Český Krumlov are also an option: this small 13th-century town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its immaculate medieval architecture.
albatross.cz, green fees from £62
