Tee off in a family paradise
By Stephan Schöttl
Hiking and golf holidays can be wonderfully combined in Brandnertal
Up in the Brandnertal, at just under 1,000 metres above sea level, many things are still so wonderfully dreamy. It feels real. Like nature. Like mountains. Like relaxation. Of course, a lot has been invested in tourism here in recent years. There is no shortage of mountain railways, and in Bürserberg, right at the beginning of the valley, a huge bike park has been created that attracts action sports enthusiasts from all over the world. But there are also many forests and meadows, native animals, high peaks and cool streams.
It quickly became clear that the Brandnertal is a real family paradise. We tried out and experienced many things ourselves. We, that's dad Stephan (41), mum Patricia (34), Moritz (7) and Kira Marie (3). Together we hiked along the barefoot path, marvelled at a magical stone circle, knocked with excitement on the door of a witch's cottage, listened to fairy tales and watched cheese being made at Alpe Rona. We fed goats, rabbits and ponies, stroked and cared for them. We travelled up on the village and panoramic cable car and looked for treasure down in the village. Our little adventurers found it on the short, easy walk through Brand: A solution word. And there's a present for them at the tourist information centre.
Being different - breaking new ground
One of the paths on the treasure map leads past the wonderfully natural garden of the Valavier activity resort. A hotel with four stars and its very own flavour. The hotel brochure states, among other things: "Be different. Breaking new ground. Make your own mark. Preserve values. Creating space. For yesterday. For today. For tomorrow." Nothing better summarises what Kathi Metz and Edi Meyer's business is all about. You can't avoid the past here. After all, the Austrian inn tradition was already being cultivated here at the end of the 18th century. Nothing is missing here - from the warm smiles of the hosts and the view of the golf course from the breakfast table to the creative cuisine, sauna and outdoor pool. The children are quickly enthralled by the bowling alley and a huge indoor sandpit in the basement. What I particularly liked: There is deliberately no WLAN in the rooms. Offline as a quality feature, not a flaw. Relaxing. Having time for yourself.
When we go on holiday as a family, we always have to take our golf equipment with us. While the rest of the family relaxes in the natural outdoor pool, for example, dad heads to the Alpin Golf Brand course just a few steps away. And the first of 18 holes on the par-65 course is a real challenge: right behind the tee is a small gorge with a hiking trail and the Alvierbach stream - and then it's a steep climb up towards the green for the first time. Not an easy start. But one that clearly sets the direction. Because the round takes you up and down over three different plateaus. Small woods and precise irons are required. This has nothing to do with fear, but with tactical skill. "Anyone can play flat" is written on the logo shirts sold in the pro shop. After the round, I realised why this is the case.
Austria's highest course at an altitude of over 1500 metres in Lech am Arlberg can also be reached by car in just under 45 minutes. Anyone who has the opportunity to tee off here should definitely do so! If only because of the mountain panorama in the idyllic Zugertal valley. As my family was in good hands in Brand, I took the opportunity to play between the rugged rocks on the banks of the Lech. Those responsible put their heart and soul into this 9-hole course, which opened in 2016. Sometimes it goes over the water, other times there are trees in the way. At one point, the ball's path leads through a ravine down to the green in the valley. All in all, the course at GC Lech is a sporting challenge, but not unplayable.
Montafon Golf Club - insider tip for families
The Montafon Golf Club in Schruns-Tschagguns, on the other hand, is a top tip for families! On these nine holes and throughout the entire club, great importance is attached to young and old playing together. Children up to the age of 14 are even free of charge, there are extra children's tees and separate scorecards for the youngsters. Without a lot of frills. The golf club has been a flagship of youth work in Vorarlberg for years, even producing two national players recently. The club on the banks of the River Ill has two special features: founded in 1989, GC Montafon is the oldest golf club in Vorarlberg. In addition, hole 8 is the longest par 5 in western Austria at 542 metres!
Brand is an ideal starting point for families with golfers. Wellness and relaxation, children's action and unspoilt nature can all be found here in the smallest of spaces. The 18-hole course directly in front of the hotel and a further three 9-hole courses in the surrounding area allow golfers to get their money's worth without being separated from the rest of the family for too long.
Stephan Schöttl (41) lives with his family in Kempten in the Allgäu region. The sports journalist is a keen golfer and regularly writes about his experiences and funny stories about the golf courses in the Alpine regions of southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy on his blog at www.alpengolfer.de. His handicap: 18.
More information about the region:
Vorarlberg Alpine Region