Cafes and opera that is a great start,

The lure of Austria, the city is a part.

Yet outdoor adventure is calling your name,

Take the drive to Adamstal to test your game.

Up mountains, beside rivers, and into the trees,

It will rise your spirt but bring you to your knees.

A walk unlike many others, for this is to be true,

Time at Adamstal is among the very few.

“The hills are alive…..”  Arriving Adamstal in the lower part of Austria is not an easy feat from any corner of the globe.  However, the shortest transit time, from a major city, is just over an hour from the bustling metropolitan area of Vienna.  Known for cafes, palaces, symphonies, opera, museums, dining, fashion,, river cruises, Vienna is a superb starting point for an adventure stepping back from the hurried pace of today’s world.

The drive to Adamstal takes you on a roller coaster of roads, winding through small villages, parallel to lush greenery, up hills and down into valleys; laying the groundwork of what lies ahead.  It is only when you spot a golf cart, perhaps a lady or gentlemen with a push cart, do you realize the entrance of Adamstal is at hand.  There is only a small sign that designates the location, and a limited visual of a clubhouse, and hole or two.  There is no village, there are no stores.  There is a golf course, a clubhouse, chalet with rooms, maintenance shed, a few homes…then there are trees, rivers, flowers, and pure mountain bliss.    It is a land where golfers take their clubs out of the car, place them on a trolley, and go.  it is an invitation to release any preconceived notion on how a golf resort “could” be, and embrace all that it “should” be.  Welcome to the serenity of Adamstal.

The only signage for Adamstal

Adventure seekers, hikers, skiers; all had their hand in the history of Adamstal. The mountains and water called out the names of those grinding day in and day out, to take a break and wander back into nature.  Moments were spent recharging and enjoying all that the area had to offer, breathing in the fresh air, and meandering through the forest lawn.  The spiritual mountain and backdrop to Adamstal, the Unterberg, gave of itself to all who laid track up its belly. The challenge, the space, the views.  And today is no different.

From the archives - compliments of Adamstal

From the dream of Franz Wittmann, to the design of Canadian architect Jeff Howes, the 28 holes at Adamstal compare only to the artistry and sound of the magnifico Bösendorfer piano. Pure and warm, powerful and uncompromising in quality, crescendoing with the utmost in style and craftsmanship, that is Adamstal. Of the over 1000 members, it is impossible to imagine a different narrative.

Staying at Adamstal is a treat.  It isn’t fancy, it isn’t sexy.  But it is perfect for the location and the experience.  After parking (a bit of a task), find your way across the street to the golf shop, also serving as reception.  With a warm Austrian greeting, the staff graciously points to the direction of the rooms, gives you a key, and sends you on your way.  No bag staff, no fluff.

There are three, newly renovated, rooms  (one being a suite) above the clubhouse, architecture dating to 1887, and an additional 17 across the street. Minimalist at best, but comfortable and clean.  They are actually very nice for a one night stay.  And since there are 28 holes and a lovely dining facility, it is worth the evening event.  Dark is the sky with stars galore, quiet is the air with a river running by.  The invitation for a peaceful slumber in the middle of the Austrian countryside is set.

Pictures of the room - inclusive of the toilet!

Arriving Adamstal around noon gives you the opportunity of “lunching” on the deck.  With splendid views of the Unterberg and temptation of the golf course, it is an optimal time to breathe out, releasing any stress from travel.  Stretch the legs into the Austrian sun, imbibe in a little alpine beverage, then take on the 9 hole challenge of Wallenbach.  Known as the “flatter” of the two courses (18-hole Championship being the other), it is not for the feint of heart. For most of us, the undulations and walks between holes, will elevate the heart rate and test the legs.  Taking a look around, you do see why the Austrians are in such amazing shape.

A note on the restaurant “Golf and Geuss” (Golf and delight). On a beautiful day, the restaurant at Adamstal is like a little mountain fairy tale.  With stunning views up to the Unterberg, flowers blooming, wooden tables shaded by beer branded umbrellas, it sets up like a a Hallmark movie.  If the weather isn’t as nice, then a beautiful table awaits you inside. The menu consists of pastas, sandwiches, Austrian fare, and luscious salads.  There is even a vegan “chicken” on display (with French fries of course).  It is the same menu in the evenings, so don’t fret if you want to try a few plates, there will be time.   Personal experience… try the gnocchi if it is still on the menu; and a small beer - the glass is just as cute as the beer is good.

Lunch at Adamstal

Breakfast is served buffet style, though cooked eggs are available as well.  With some of the best coffee in the area and a spread that will ready you for the day, the morning is shaping up brilliantly.  Personal experience…if you like strong coffee, press the Americano button, then add a shot of espresso :)

After lunch, check-in to the golf shop for your tee time, complimentary logo golf ball (try hard not to use it!) and cart for the clubs.  And trust me, when given the option for a hand buggy or electric hand buggy, take the latter, you will be happy you did.  The practice green is on the way to the first tee, just off the back of the restaurant.  Mimicking what is on the course, it is highly recommended to take a few putts to understand the grain.  Up the hill just a bit more is the driving range. There are 5-6 mats and then a cute little chalet housing a few more for those rainy days.  Like most of the golf courses in the area, it is a coin operated ball machine, so be sure to have the 3 euro in pocket.  Hit a few shots, get warmed up, and walk your way to the hole number one at Wallerbach.  A tip…whether you brought your clubs or taking a set of rentals (Callaways), make sure they are properly sitting down in the bottom of the buggy, just fair warning as you maneuver your chariot to the first tee.

Let’s start by saying, take a cart.  Just take a cart!  It is hard to explain what you will endure for the next 4-4.5 hours.  But start by taking a cart.

The beginning of the round starts just like Wallerbach, with a drive past the putting green (stop) and driving range (hit a few).  However, unlike the friendly and “flat” 9 hole course, this one starts a good ways down the road, over/next to the river and through the woods, to the opening hole you go.  Here you have the greeting of the starter, joyful and wide in smile, before launching into one of the most special mountain golf experiences on Planet Golf.

Tee time at the Championship Course

Auacker - the first hole opens with a flat but lovely par 4.  Wildly unlike anything you will encounter on the next 18 (yes 18) holes.  So take the driver and let it go.  There are fairway bunkers to the right and a dramatic hill on the left, so the visual is straightaway.  Narrow it down the fairway until you settle in on the first putting surface of the day.  Again, take note of the grain as it will tell the story for the next chapters.  Anywhere else and this could be a signature hole, but at Adamstal, it just gives you a chance to warm up.  Personal experience… miss the fairway bunkers!

Felsenhöhe - did you take a cart?.  The drive to the second hole is up, up, up and around, around, around.  Crossing the street and into the trees, the entrance to the second hole will leave you spellbound.  Felsenhöhe, or rock high, is man in harmony with nature.  Building this hole all the while preserving the environment, must have been an engineering dilemma.  But here you are, and with every bit of confidence, step up to the tee and pick a spot down the middle.  Swing and go.  Golf carts stay on the cart path, no wonder, as the slope is quite aggressive as you make your way to the green.  Views from the putting surface are mesmerizing, so just take a minute to slow down and breathe. And to think it only gets better?  Personal experience… if you are playing for score, hit the 3 wood, if you are playing because it is a once in a lifetime, hit the driver.  The blind approach is much easier from a shorter distance.

From the fairway of #2 - looking back at the tee box

Swiftwiese - this lovely par 5 gives you an opportunity to pick up any shots from the hole before.  Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, a blind tee shot tests your trust.  Those wanting to push the envelope can take the driver and swing into the abyss, finding the fairway gives an opportunity of hitting the green in two (big hits).  And for those who are a bit more strategic, then a drive to the spruce in the right half of the fairway is perfect.  That will set you up for a mid-iron/hybrid for a second shot and then a shorter approach. The green is receptive and giving and beautiful, so make your mark.  Personal experience… get it down in three, even if you think you can go for two.  The green is inviting, but three putts are available.

Hausberg - up, up and away again… through willowy trees and rustling leaves, the 4th hole, is a dainty dog leg to the right.  Those who hit it long can cut the corner, leaving a shorter distance into the par 4.  Alternatively, by taking the drive up the left, a clear shot is available  into the elevated green, leaving a mid-iron to hybrid in.  Anything short will roll back down so make sure you take enough club to get to the surface.  Uphill lies will pull your shot if not careful, so heed caution.  Personal experience… even though it is tempting, cutting the corner is not that beneficial.  And take a picture through the hallowed out trunk at the back of the green, it is stunning!

The hallowed out log at the back of hole 4

Our Felsenwand - hole number 5 is something out of a geological divination.  Apparently, the stones that line the right side of the fairway were not exposed until excavating for the course.  Though the designer desire was to take them out, the owner (thankfully) asked for them to left as part of the natural aspect of the hole.  They are not only beautiful but they add quite a bit of dimension to the already demanding design.  Taking the drive down the left half does add a bit of distance to this par 4, but in lieu of going rock climbing, it is the direction to go.  An approach takes you to an exposed green and views for days.  Personal experience… miss the rocks.

Wolfstränke - continue on the journey to the beautiful par 3, 6th.  An elevated tee box creates a dramatic scene to the green below.  A pond borders the entire left side of the putting surface so fair to say, right half of the green is a home run.  A par is actually a good score.  Personal experience… missing the green right is okay, it leaves a nice bump and run for a good up and down.

Green Monster - number 7…ahh, number 7.  A devilish par 5 with so much to say.  Double dogleg, fairway bunkers, green side bunkers, bio-tope, elevation, you name it, it is all included in the number one handicap hole at Adamstal.  Rumor has it that numerous amounts of tour players have tried to out fire the Green Monster, but to no avail.  A beast of a drive, preferably down the right half of the fairway, will give you another bust of a second and yet another for the approach.  For those mere mortals, just keep bumping it up the right and don’t mess with anything left.  The eyes of the monster are ablaze within the dotted bunkers surrounding the green, making any attempt at bravery a look of despair.  Just be smart and play the hole for par/bogey.  Personal experience… X marks the card for any ego swinging golfer.

The bunkering at the Green Monster - #7

Julia -number 8, the next par 3, and one named after the owner’s daughter who sadly and devastatingly died in a car crash in 2016.  There is a cross behind the green as a dedication to her life.  It is a strong par 3, taking  at least one more club than the yardage plays.  Beautifully designed, this is a fair but tough hole.  Remember, with elevation comes backlash to any ball that misses the mark.  Personal experience… take two extra clubs.

Eibengarten - the 9th hole is just simply long, and it isn’t as if the previous eight holes haven’t eaten your lunch..  The tee shot is open and inviting.  You can grip it at the end and let it rip.  Needing the distance, the driver is the club.  The elevated green along with the longest yardage on the course, and every shot best be hit on the screws.  Keep the ball center to left as anything right is out of sight.  Personal experience… par is par, regardless if it has to be from an up and down.

The turn.  Whether you remember the movie Heidi or have watched the last scenes in Sound of Music, the halfway house at Adamstal will give you every opportunity to break out in song.  Character, style, tradition, panoramic views and food; completely worth the demand of the last two hours.  [Grandma] Herta greets you with a warm alpine smile, while guiding you to the tables set for a quick (or not) lunch.  You are not in Kansas anymore! The restrooms are even adorable.  How many times can one say that?

The halfway house on the Championship Course - lunch with a view!

Unterbergrast - the back nine begins with a thump.  Long and tiring up the hill, slightly around to the left.  Bust a drive or you will be tackling this hole in at least three.  As with the front nine, cutting corners may not be the best strategy as anything short of perfection and the ball is lost in the biotope..  Since you have just fueled up, aim for the middle, grip and rip.  Course management encourages staying on the low side of the green, utilizing a great short game if necessary. Personal experience… know that it might take three to get to the green, and that is okay.

Hausbergkante - the 11th could be my favorite par 4 on the course (equal only to number 2).  The elevated tee box and open fairway inspires you to put the pedal down, taking the driver from 0 to 60 in a nano second.   Finding the fairway could leave you a short iron into the green, granting a stellar opportunity for birdie. It has taken patience.  Personal experience…breathe in and breath out, shake the arms out and let it go.  Play for the middle of the green at approach.

Spring on the 11th tee box

Fuchluchin…yep, that is what I said.  Put that in a sentence.  The par 4 - 12th hole dives in with water all down the left.  From the back tees it is a pounce on the driver and from the front, it is as well.  Aim for the center of the fairway as left is wet and right is tree bound.  The flowers are blooming and the air as fresh as spring, take a step and take it all in.  It’s only a mid to short iron to the green, another opportunity for a GIR and possible birdie..  Personal experience… enjoy the journey, no matter what.

Eselbach - the 13th hole.  What a par 4.  Demanding from the tee, crossing a ravine to a narrow fairway, this is about where lunch is wearing down,  Gather your thoughts, take a practice swing or two, and knock the tee shot down the right side of the fairway.  There is a golden opportunity given a good drive, so focus on the fundamentals, line up and shoot.  The green has easy access, so play for it.  Personal experience…play to the front of the green as it will roll up.

The beautiful 13th

Adlitzbeere - views for days on the 14th hole.  Meticulous design makes this par 4 so enjoyable.  Fairway bunkers do come into play on the right with the fairway moving to the right, so running it up the left is the optimal shot.  It is hard to take your eyes away from the magic ahead, but put on the blinders and hit one more shot, then walk into the glory of nature.  Personal experience…do watch out for the menacing little green-side bunker.

Gsteinerkeller - a gettable par 5, the 15th is aptly named after a lost cellar, found only by the excavation during the build of the hole.  A strong drive will leave the longer baller a chance at reaching the green in two.  The rest of us will need the additional shot into a green that slopes front to back.  As with all other holes at Adamstal, short is much better than long, so learn to rely on that bump and run.  Personal experience… Play the right side of the hole, all the way down.

The "gettable" green at the 15th

R1 Kehre - the first of three par 3s coming up, the 16th is a bit of a beast.  Long in distance with a green that slopes toward the tee, a solid shot of the tee is needed.  Being all carry, take a club or two more as this is one hole that will hold the green with the worst of being a bunker to the back.  Personal experience… aim a little bit left as everything kicks to the right.

Adamthalblick - last of the par 4s, the 17th hole requires focus, diligence and a whole lot of gumption.  The bunker in the center of the fairway seems a world away, but it isn’t quite so.  But ripping the driver is the strategy as even the bunker won’t give too much trouble.  Keep the approach slightly right as the gate to heaven opens up giving a straight shot to the pin, and views for days.  Personal experience… aim for the bunker, good chance you will miss it.

Finding the green at the 17th

Hochfeld - or number 18 is one of the two finishing holes, both of which are par 3s, this one being the longer of the two.  With your legs waning, it is easy to push the upper body on this one.  It is all the yardage you can hit and more so taking one more club might be the ticket.  Think timing and give your swing a chance to catch up.  The hole itself is fairly straight forward, and if placed anywhere else, would not cause dismay, so see it as such.  Personal experience… take enough club as being right in the long rough is not optimal.

Brunnstube - number 19 at Adamstal.  The emergency hole.  This is a majestic par 3 that shoots back up to Unterberg, and to Austrian Sauvignon Blanc, or fresh squeezed juices, just beyond.  For some reason, the energy returns, giving you that one last hurrah at this magnificent facility.  Elevated tee box to a smaller green below requires yardage thought.  Club down by at least one, possibly two.  A nice high shot into the green will be your final one for the day.  Personal experience… pick a tree behind the green, trust the swing and let it go.  Play for the middle of the green.

The emergency par 3 - the 19th hole at Adamstal

It is no wonder Adamstal is the number one golf destination in Austria.  From the grounds, to the course, to the staff, to the food… it is magic.  With all efforts to keep the course as environmentally friendly as possible, golf is as it should be.  Adamstal is a step back in the world of golf, when homes and money were not the pursuit, but the serenity of a game within the confines of Mother Nature, in harmony and in peace.  It is a treasure, a gift, a purity that rarely exists in today’s game.  Thank you to all who gave, and continue to give, their time so that we, the golfer, can enjoy what golf is meant to be. “Don’t cry because it is over, but smile because it happened.”  Dr Seuss must have been talking about Adamstal.

To the REAL 19th hole!