Nestled along the shores of Lake Wörthersee are 13 golf courses, three of which are in Slovenia and Italy, and all within a one-hour’s drive. But it isn’t just about quantity.The standards of quality are incomparablyhigh – three of the courses have earned the “Leading Golf Course” seal of quality, while the course in Moosburg has received a four-star “superior” classification.

Actually, this is probably a great place to begin your Wörthersee golf trip. The generally forgiving fairways make it easy to locate those hooked drives, while the greens run true and fair. As golfers stroll the Pörtschach-Moosburg golf course, they will encounter long-standing tress and interesting water hazards, while also having to prove their strategic skills in managing the occasional bunker. Caution is definitely recommended on the third hole, a 400-meter Par 4 with an out-ofbounds to the left and a dogleg to the right. Even better players are not necessarily unhappy with a bogey. Attractive: the two final holes, the 17th (a Par 5 which is a great birdie opportunity that can quickly turn into a disaster) and the 18th (with a raised green and an imposing bunker in front of it).

The Klagenfurt Seltenheim golf course couldn’t possibly present a greater contrast. Scottish-style, open fairways, combined with an American layout (lots of water, high approaches) – most designers would probably have caused themselves bodily harm if they had had to work with this unusual mixture. Star architect Pete Dye, on the other hand, managed to deliver one of the most impressive courses in Austria. If you opt to play from the white tees, you only have yourself to blame – because now the course will really show you its teeth, Totaling 6,324 meters in length, even battle-hardened players will break out in a cold sweat. Probably the most interesting hole is the 130-metre Par 3. Off-target shots are guaranteed to end up “in the drink” – after all, we are talking about an island green.

Carinthia Golf Club Dellach cuts a very stylish figure. It was founded back in 1927, making it the second-oldest golf club in Austria. The 12th and 18th holes afford the most beautiful views of the lake. Dellach’s biggest challenge lies in its combination of length and precision. On the 5th, for example, you will need a powerful drive from the tee, with dense forests both to the left and right of the fairway, if you hope to reach the green in two. And No. 16 is probably the most exciting Par 3 in Carinthia: You will need to strike the ball 180 meters across a valley and land the ball on a green which lies crosswise to the direction of play.

Leading Golf Course Velden Köstenberg is regarded as a true, though fair challenge for players of all handicaps. You will really have to push yourself in order to record a successful round interspersed with pars and birdies, though a wonderful day of golfing is always guaranteed. The greens are fast and true, with some tricky breaks that can sneak up on you if you are not careful. The new championship tee on the 5th makes for another signature hole. The 552-meter fairway takes you across a pond and alongside a biotope, to a green which is not exactly easy to play up to. On hole No. 10, a great drive becomes more fun than ever, since the green actually lies deep below the tee.