Postcard landscapes, glaciers in the background, breathtaking views, a mythical train, the sun without the heat wave, top-of-the-range resorts and routes… in short, the Swiss Alps in all their splendor. It is a golfing journey like no other organized by the Formigolf tourist agency, based in Colmar *. Do not forget your golf bag and get on the wagon, the train is at the platform and will leave soon.

Crans-sur-Sierre, the golf of the stars

We plant the first tee of our golfing "cruise" in the southwest of Switzerland, on the historic course of Crans sur Sierre, which hosts the Omega European Masters every year. Greg Norman considers him "The most spectacular mountain golf course in the world". Bob Charles, Nick Faldo, Severiano Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie have in the past successfully surveyed its fairways. Nestled at an altitude of 1500 meters since 1906, the golf course is even a few years older than the ski resort of Crans-Montana, which organized its first race in 1911.

The clubhouse offers a majestic view of Mont Bonvin and the Plaine Morte glacier. You almost feel the fresh breath of Mont-Blanc, not far from there. All in the heart of Crans-Montana. “The players appreciate being able to come on foot with their bag, which is rare, underlines Pascal Schmalen, the young golf manager. The other particularity of the course is that it is relatively flat for mountain golf. It is suitable for both amateurs and professionals. "

The 18-hole course was modified in 1997 by “maestro” Severiano Ballesteros, who notably redesigned the greens and bunkers. Oscillating between technical and wooded parts and much more airy passages, the course will amaze you. On hole 7, you take the Rhône valley from above. This par 4 in light dogleg drivable in one, with its out of bounds on all the right part, has something petrifying, in every sense of the word. With this euphoric feeling of being on top of the world, a driver in hand ...

To face the power of XXI champions^e century, some holes have been lengthened. Such as the 16, which has left its tinsel of par 4 drivable to turn into a citadel of par 3. The 18, whose fairway looks like the Titanic so much it leans to starboard, has also seen an additional obstacle. frontal water downstream of the green, making it even more formidable. But also more photogenic. "What is important in a golf course is the first glance", confirms Pascal Schmalen, who plans to build a gigantic putting green with the statue of Ballesteros in the middle.

Crossing the street to the other side of the clubhouse, it is another legend, Jack Nicklaus, who in 1987 remodeled a top-of-the-range 9-hole course, four times named Switzerland's best 9-hole course. Here, precision takes precedence over power with short, narrow and undulating fairways. In the station, a few hundred meters upstream, another star, of the cinema this time, looks at you on a mural: Roger Moore. James Bond used to find refuge in the famous ski resort and even occasionally drew his sandwedge there.…

To know more : https://www.golfcrans.ch/fr/

Zermatt, just for your eyes

Head to the south of the Valais country, direction Zermatt, a few kilometers from the Italian border, at the foot of the emblematic Matterhorn mountain. This car-free holiday village has retained its authentic character and offers many possibilities for excursions. At about ten minutes, the Matterhorn Golf Club is a little visual gem, surrounded on all sides by glaciers, including the Breithorn (4164 m). A 9 hole which is played like an 18, since there are two starting zones for each ball, the par 4 sometimes changing into a par 3 or a par 5, and vice versa.

"The strong point of golf is its unique panorama, in the heart of the highest mountains in the country", specifies Gerold Berchtold, the director, who qualified in 2004 for the Omega Masters when he was 20 years old. It is a flat golf course in the middle of the mountain. We play in peace, there are not too many people. " Built in 2004 on a plateau 1400 meters above sea level, only hole 2 has a large overhang, with its overhanging start which allows you to contemplate the nine (very slow) greens of the site. Hole 4, a short, narrow par 4 with an island green is the other highlight of our golf trip.

Generally open from May to October like most mountain golf courses in Switzerland, Matterhorn offers an exceptional summer experience: playing golf in the 28 degree sun, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It is not uncommon to see the skiers of the national team training in the morning on the slopes of the Klein Matterhorn before going back down to hit the little white ball in the afternoon. Former champion Pirmin Zurbriggen also often comes to play with the family.

Another local curiosity is the Glacier Express railway line, which cuts the route in half. The club's regulations also stipulate that it is forbidden to swing during the passage of a train. Please slip under the rails via a small tunnel to reach the putting green and hole n ° 1, a fierce par 3 protected by a piece of water, which prohibits the slightest scratch. A hole n ° 1 at the origin of some astonishing stories. “Last year Julen Martin Sr, a former great ski champion, managed a hole in one, says Gerold Berchtold. After playing his stroke, he immediately put his clubs away and did not even see his ball fall. His age ? 90 years! "

To know more : https://www.zermatt.ch/fr/

Andermatt, courses that amaze

We cross the south of Switzerland aboard the Glacier Express in the direction ofAndermatt, . “Uela” is how locals say hello at the foot of the Gotthard. In the middle flows a river, color orgeat: the Reuss. The Urseren valley, cleared two centuries ago by Russian and French troops during the Napoleonic wars, gave birth in 2016 to an 18-hole golf course: the Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course. And what a nice surprise!

Not very hilly - only three fairways are really steep on the outward journey - this superbly maintained young course offers a breathtaking panorama. With a little imagination, you could almost hear the chanting of the Rhine and the Rhone, which originate not far from there, on the other side of the mountain. In Andermatt, each hole is a postcard and the wind is a caress. In these moments, we understand why we love this game so much despite our double bogeys. When it is too hot in the plain, many golfers flock to this little gem with wide fairways and few trees, designed by Kurt Rossknecht at 1440 meters above sea level.

The par 4 of 4, where the fairway follows the slope, is a natural slide that must be climbed up. Your heart is racing and colorful butterflies and birds flutter around you, as if to warn you that it is not your 6 iron that needs to be taken out of the bag. Between the drop and the effects of altitude, which allows the ball to be sent 10 to 15% farther than usual, the choice of club is a real headache here. A fortiori if the wind is in the mood for fun. In the many ponds and bodies of water on the course, the frogs stop croaking and the trout stop wriggling when you sheepishly drop in with a penalty. Hole 13, a short par 3 plunging down to the green several tens of meters below, is worth a look. Just like the 17, a nice par 4 of 400 meters (yellow balls), which does not give way, especially if the wind is blowing from the front. On the green of 18, a par 5 deliciously curved towards the club house, you have the irrepressible feeling of having played a mountain golf like no other. You could almost touch the sun. Magical !

To know more : https://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/en/golf/golf-course/

© S. Pooch

No less than four courses (one 18 holes and three 9 holes) are accessible within a 30-minute drive in the region. 10 minutes further west, you can extend the pleasure of golf by Realp. Guaranteed 100% natural, without pesticides, this particularly steep 9-hole course is especially valuable for its panorama, again exceptional. However, it requires a good physical condition because at times you have the feeling of kicking the ball while climbing Everest. The departure from 7 to 1700 meters above sea level and its view of the green meadow is a great reward and the electric trolleys offered at the club house - a former barracks - are not a luxury. Again, almost always, the choice of club requires careful calculations. In 1963, it was also on these majestic mountain roads that wind around the golf course, between the Furka Pass and Andermatt, that James Bond's Aston Martin followed Goldfinger from a distance ...

To know more : https://www.golf-gotthard.ch/

In St. Moritz, history and geography

On the way, or rather in a wagon for St. Moritz and a final journey of almost 5 hours with the slowest rapid in the world (36 km / h average). On board the legendary red panoramic train, breakfast and / or lunch are served on board thanks to the balancing talents of the servers, the Glacier Express sometimes zigzagging according to the terrain. The theater of two editions of the Olympic Winter Games, Saint-Moritz also owes its reputation to its thermal springs, famous for 3000 years, which make it a favorite place for spa visitors in summer.

To know more : http://www.stmoritz-golfclub.ch/de/

Engadin Golf Samedan, designed in 1893, is the oldest course in Switzerland and the 6^e oldest on the continent. A unique combination, which mixes history with geography. " It's a golf course like no other, notes Ramun Ratti, the director. In Samedan, you play on a historic golf course, at an altitude of 1800 meters, facing the glaciers. " Here again, it is a flat mountain golf course, crossed by the Flaz river. Larches ruffled by thunderstorms and some 700 years old adorn the fairways.

In Samedan, it is tempting to swing big drives thanks to the effects of the altitude. But the bet turns out to be reckless because of the small lakes and streams which spice up the course, and the tall grass which adjoins certain fairways. Without forgetting the Maloja wind, the famous local wind, which sometimes stirs up anger in the afternoon. With the glacier in the background, Hole n ° 4 - a par 4 drivable in one for loggers - with its two trees halfway that seem to frame the flag, provides a first aesthetic thrill and a real birdie opportunity. The 14, a par 4 that turns right towards a green cut by a stream, is another highlight of the course.

For those who are not satisfied, another 18 holes, designed in 2003, is located about ten minutes away: Engadin Golf Zuoz. A shorter but also narrower course, which requires a minimum of strategy on undulating fairways, bordered by flowers, and receptive greens which thread their way along the mountain, between a pine forest. "The opportunity to play two very different courses", says Ramun Ratti. With a card of 65, it is a certain Constantino Rocca who currently holds the course record.

To know more : https://www.engadin-golf.ch/

Frank Crudo

* The FormiGolf agency offers three mythical train & golf tours in the Swiss Alps, between 5 and 8 days and accommodation in a 3, 4 or 5 star hotel.

http://www.formigolf.fr/suisse~pays~86

FROM TGV LYRIA TO EXPRESS GLACIER

TGV Lyria offers up to 20 round trips per day between France and Switzerland.

The Swiss Travel Pass, an all-inclusive ticket for foreign visitors, opens the doors to the Swiss public transport network (trains, coaches, boats), including scenic trips aboard the Glacier Express. Children travel free with a parent who has a pass, which also gives free access to 500 museums.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/fr-fr/planification/transports-sejour/tickets-public-transportation/swiss-travel-pass/

The Glacier Express crosses the Alps, from Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn to St-Moritz, in eight hours. In total, it crosses no less than 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.