Vorarlberg’s quiet class
Outstanding courses, stylish hotels and excellent cuisine make Vorarlberg a nearby hideaway for discerning golfers – peaceful, pleasant and unjustly underrated.
Sometimes you don’t need to fly to the other side of the world to rediscover that sense of freedom – often, a journey of just under two hours from Zurich is enough. And occasionally, it can even turn out to be a blessing when commitments pile up and a trip suddenly takes place later than originally planned. Because that’s how you might find yourself in Vorarlberg, enjoying perfect conditions after a long winter spent longing for sunshine, delightful hours outdoors and an equally urgent need for culinary indulgence. And, amidst the mountain scenery, the tee and a sundowner, you inevitably ask yourself:
Why did I want to kick off the 2026 golf season earlier and further afield when the good life is so close at hand?
“Hello, and please do speak Schwyzerdütsch with us,” is the welcome you receive as soon as you arrive at Hotel Traube Braz in the Klostertal. After this warm welcome, owner Christoph Lorünser reminds us why Vorarlberg is colloquially known as the ‘Kanton Übrig’ (the ‘leftover canton’). The origin of this nickname dates back to the period following the First World War: at that time, around 80 per cent of Vorarlberg’s population voted in favour of joining Switzerland. Although the attempt failed, the emotional connection to Switzerland remains palpable.
This 4-star hotel, now in its sixth generation of family ownership, successfully blends tradition and modernity. Exceptional hospitality has been a hallmark here since the 19th century, and delicious specialities are served in the historic farmhouse parlours. Particularly impressive is the light-filled wellness area – an atrium spa featuring an indoor pool and a combined outdoor pool, a spacious sauna area and a beauty salon – ideal for relaxation after a round on the hotel’s own golf course.
Traube Braz Alpen.Spa.Golf.Hotel
At the Bludenz-Braz Golf Club , just three minutes away, you’re welcomed like a long-awaited guest, and the weather is lovely on the day too. After his father laid out the first nine holes in 1996, Christoph Lorünser later expanded the course to 18 holes. Members say that, thanks to the sunny location, they often find themselves playing on summer greens as early as February.
Playing golf in this almost kitsch-like, beautiful setting is an experience in itself. On the pre-Alpine terrain, the round leads uphill in stages – past haystacks, small streams and alpine huts, through sparse woods and along striking rock faces. Precise shots and a well-thought-out strategy pay off on this physically demanding course. A good tip is to leave the driver in your bag from time to time – particularly on the signature 11th hole, where not only does a spectacular view over the Klostertal valley open up, but the ball also tends to end up deep in the terrain. A sundowner afterwards on the panoramic terrace is practically a must here.
Waving is part of the culture of the game
A particular highlight is hole 3, where you play from a raised tee over a pond – always accompanied by the impressive mountain panorama in the background. Incidentally, at 542 metres, hole 8 is the longest par 5 in western Austria. Not least, the course is characterised by an unusual playing culture where there is a lot of waving. At first, you might think it’s just friendliness, but in fact there’s a method to it: as some holes are close together, waving is part of course etiquette and means: ‘I’ve seen you – you can play.’
A tip for spring, shared by a member: skiing in the morning and playing nine holes of golf in the afternoon – a contrast that’s almost the norm here.
Our next overnight stay takes us to the Hotel Krone in the Bregenzerwald, a legendary establishment that has been a feature of the village square in Hittisau since 1938. You’ll receive a warm welcome from Dietmar Nussbaumer-Natter, who, together with his wife Helene, is the third generation to run this traditional family-run hotel and has carefully modernised it with great sensitivity, using regional timber from the Bregenzerwald.
The rooms and dining areas harmoniously blend the old with the new – as does the sauna integrated into the Kronengarten, which looks like a modern interpretation of a romantic garden arbour. The kitchen forms the heart of the hotel. Michael Garcia-Lopez cooks Mediterranean-inspired dishes that are light, fresh and consistently prepared using high-quality, regional produce. The Krone is also a member of Slow Food and has been recognised over the years in various guides such as Falstaff, À la Carte and with the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. A special recommendation: join the Kronenwirt in discovering the hotel’s very own treasure trove of wines and enjoy a glass in the fireside room whilst enjoying a good chat.
Beware of rebellious swans
The straight fairways from 4 to 9 are gently undulating and wind past numerous fruit trees. The spacious, undulating greens are challenging to read and demand precise putting. The older holes, 10 to 18, are characterised by water hazards and streams, where numerous waterbirds – including a pair of swans – have made their home. The club office issues a tongue-in-cheek warning: the swans occasionally attack buggies without golf bags. Apparently, they still remember that the population used to be controlled by greenkeepers in buggies by swapping out their eggs.
After a thoroughly enjoyable round – which can be played at a brisk pace in around four and a half hours – you can round off the day on the panoramic sun terrace with a well-deserved drink.
ALPINE DIVERSITY WITH CHARACTER
Vorarlberg’s golfing options are by no means limited to these courses. Those travelling in late spring will discover further attractive courses which, due to their high altitude, start the season a little later. One such example is the Lech im Zugertal Golf Course, which is considered Austria’s highest-altitude golf course. The 9-hole course winds its way gently along both banks of the Lech and offers an impressive mountain panorama right from the very first tee – no wonder the course has already been named ‘Course of the Year’ by ‘Golf in Austria’. A particular highlight is an aperitif on the sun terrace of the clubhouse, the ‘Wirtshaus am Golfplatz’, with sweeping views over the greens and mountain peaks.
Another recommendation is the Brand im Brandnertal Golf Club. The 18-hole course reveals its charm amidst a tranquil, picture-perfect Alpine landscape that instantly helps you unwind. The varied fairways, with their gentle slopes, wind their way along the idyllic Alvierbach stream – which you cross several times – and past ancient stone walls, alpine huts and mature trees. Particularly in the height of summer, the location ensures pleasantly cool temperatures – the nearby Brandner Glacier, at almost 3,000 metres, plays its part in this. A tip: make use of the new premium golf buggies with GPS and enjoy a relaxed round.
