Golf in the Czech Republic has registered a rapid growth in the past few years reflected in increasing number of registered players (from 1,500 in 1990 to 25,000 in 2006) and in continuous new golf courses construction (from 6 in 1990 to 62 in 2006). As the Czech Republic features beautiful landscape, nature and interesting historical objects also many of the existing golf courses seeded in those surroundings can offer breathtaking views. The following nine holes were selected from 9 different 18-hole championship golf courses around the whole country. Even though it is almost impossible to declare which golf holes are the most beautiful as different people have different views and opinions, these nine holes have one thing in common – incredible views and interesting layout offering several different ways how to conquer the hole, depending on players strategy and playing skills.

HOLE NO. 2, KARLŠTEJN GOLF RESORT
PAR 4, 308 METERS BACK TEES
Redesigned by Alex Čejka in 2002, this relatively short par 4 playing downhill is a typical risk / reward hole. Better players can try to go for the green guarded by 2 smaller lakes in the front, large lake to the left of the green and out- -of-bounds on the right, with their first shot creating an eagle opportunity. But if you fail to hit the green you can get in to a lot of trouble so the safest way is to place a long iron on a plateau leaving a short iron to a large green.

HOLE NO. 17, GOLF RESORT KARLOVY VARY
PAR 3, 193 METERS BACK TEES
This georgeous par 3 (quite long from the back tees) of the oldest golf club in Czech Republic (founded 1904) is a challenging one. Played slightly uphill over two small lakes with a fountain requires an accurate medium / long iron tee shot to a green well guarded by a deep bunker on the left a shallow one on the right catching sliced shots. Pin position on the left front part of the green is a great challenge even for professional players.

HOLE NO. 16,
ROYAL GOLF CLUB MARIÁNSKÉ LÁZNĚ
PAR 4, 347 METERS BACK TEES
Starting a stretch of last 3 finishing holes of the oldest golf course in Czech Republic (established by king Edward in 1905) where close matches can go either way, this hole starts putting pressure on players from the first moment. This hole requires a very accurate downhill drive played through a extremely narrow forrest bottleneck ideally with slight draw to the left or a short shot in front of the two water hazards on the right. Slightly elevated large green is guarded by 3 bunkers in the front.


HOLE NO. 12, PODĚBRADY GOLF CLUB
PAR 5, 416 METERS BACK TEES
Pitoresque double dog leg short par five cut in a forrest requires three very accurace iron shots without a chance of reaching green in two due to its unique S shape. Losing concentration on this hole can lead to double digit scores, so be careful!

HOLE NO. 5, ASTORIA GOLF CLUB CIHELNY
PAR 3, 106 METERS BACK TEES
A signature hole of Cihelny golf course designed by one of the sports legends – Gary Player in late 1990’s. Very short yet tricky par 3 played very steep downhill (about 20 meters) guarded by rocks in the front and out of bounds behind the green requires a delicate pitch shot demanding extremely good distance judgement. In windy conditions very dangerous but – simply beautiful.

HOLE NO. 12, GOLF CLUB AUSTERLITZ
PAR 3, 200 METERS BACK TEES
On the fields where Napoleon fought at the Slavkov battle few centuries ago different yet sometimes even more hostile battles are being fought by brave soldiers called golf players trying to conquer the Austerlitz golf course closely reminding famous Scottish links courses. Par 3 12th hole with tee boxes placed at the highest point of the gives a magnificent view of the entire golf course including the view of the Slavkov town and majestic castle. In windy conditions this is the toughest hole on course giving almost no space for error while attacking a narrow green lying well below golfers feet with steep slopes on both sides eating up all the balls showing just a slight degree of inacurracy.

HOLE NO. 1, PARK GOLF CLUB
OSTRAVA-ŠILHEŘOVICE
PAR 5, 448 METERS BACK TEES
An elegant starting hole of the first golf course in Ostrava region carefully placed in a large park dominated by Rotschild castle. A tee shot on the right side of the fairway eliminates from play a large willowtree placed in the middle of the valley fairway next to a large empty stone fountain which is catching those long pulled drives but forgiving players in form of a free drop. Above the fountain a golfer getting ready for his second shot is overwhelmed by a majestic view of large Rotschild´s castle – trademark of the Šilheřovice course. A bold and skilled player can go for the green with his second shot over the top of the hill or even large oak trees, but, bear in mind that it is a blind, faded, high, over 200 meters long and dangerous shot. So safe medium iron over the top of the hill will leave you a good chance for a solid par, maybe even a birdie.

HOLE NO. 12, NEW COURSE,
PROSPER GOLF CLUB ČELADNÁ
PAR 4, 404 METERS BACK TEES
Designed by wel known professional player Miguel Angel Jimenez, this north Moravian golf resort which was built in recent years is the largest resort in the Czech Republic, featuring 2 fully fledged 18-hole championship golf courses beutifly nested at the foothil of Beskydy mountains. Hole No. 12 on the New Course is a real tester of golfers abilities, specially if facing a strong wind. Even a long drive requires an excellent second shot over a large lake n order to reach a large, undulated green in regulation. Playing this hole as a par 5, i.e. laying up your second shot in front of the water leaving a wedge to attack the pin isn called discipline and not craveness…

HOLE NO. 14, GOLF PARK PLZEŇ-DÝŠINA
PAR 5, 434 METERS BACK TEES
The only hole on this list with a blind first and mostly also second shot. Played as a dogleg to the right up a steep hill in the first half of the hole. Two careful shots leve a short/ medium iron played downhill over a valley into a green well guarded by a large bunker on the left and trees on the right. Tiger Woods breed of player can try a shortcut with his tee shot over a deep valley on the right leving (if sucessfull) around 200 meter shot to the green, still hard to stop close to the pin if placed n the front. A hole testing players strategic thinking and discipline.