Top golf courses for autumn and winter.

27.10.2026

When the mist hangs over the Mittelland and the local golf courses close, it’s time for many golfers to start planning their trips. This is perfect timing: the international estate agency Christie’s International Real Estate – a partner agency of Wüst und Wüst – published the article “Club Class: The Planet’s Greatest Golf Courses” on 21 September 2026, written by Kevin Van Valkenburg, Director of Content at Fried Egg Golf. He has compiled a personal bucket list beyond the big names such as Augusta National or Pebble Beach – organised by course type. We summarise the selection and highlight which of these courses are particularly well suited for a trip during the cold autumn months.

Why head south right now?

The season in Switzerland is drawing to a close; temperatures are falling and the days are getting shorter. Those who wish to continue playing head for the sun: to the Middle East, where the heat eases off during the winter months; to Florida; or to the Southern Hemisphere, where the golf season is just getting into full swing with the arrival of spring. No fewer than three of the courses featured by Christie’s are located in such regions. Others, such as the classic English and American courses, are better suited to next summer’s itinerary. This selection therefore makes it possible to plan a trip spanning several seasons.

Parkland and Stadium: Tradition and Championship Atmosphere

TPC Sawgrass (Championship), Ponte Vedra, Florida, U.S.A. A course that was built to test professionals, TPC Sawgrass has become a magnet for amateurs, many of whom yearn to take on the challenge of the celebrated 17th hole (the Island Green). With water looming on nearly every hole, it’s one of the world’s hardest courses, particularly on a windy day.

Image: Evan Schiller Photography

As an example of a parkland course, the article cites the East Course at Merion near Philadelphia: a strategic masterpiece, known for its wicker baskets in place of flags and treacherous bunkers, with a tournament history spanning a century. Parkland golf emerged as the game moved from the coast inland: the ball flew higher, trees became part of the strategy, and the greens grew more complex.

In contrast to this are the stadium courses, where you feel as though you’re playing in a professional tournament. A prime example is the Championship Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida: built for professionals, it is now a magnet for amateurs keen to conquer the famous 17th hole with its island green. With water on almost every hole, the course is considered one of the most difficult in the world when the wind is blowing.

Desert and Sandbelt: Guaranteed sunshine and playful challenges

Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Courses in the Middle East are rarely subtle, and this is no exception – but designer Kyle Phillips’ bold attempt at creating a championship links course in the desert works. Expect wide fairways and pictursque views.

Image: Jacob Sjoman

Golf in the desert was not originally envisaged, but over the past 75 years, some outstanding courses have been built there. You play in a golf cart because temperatures rise sharply after 10 am, on firm ground and under plenty of sunshine. Accuracy is key, as nobody likes searching for their ball amongst cacti and snakes. As an example, the article cites Yas Links in Abu Dhabi: a bold attempt by designer Kyle Phillips to create a championship links course in the desert – featuring wide fairways and picturesque views.

Kingston Heath, Melbourne, Australia. Rory McIlroy ruffled some feathers when he called this the best course in the Sandbelt, ranking it ahead of Royal Melbourne. Sometimes referred to as the best flat course there is, Kingston Heath’s terrain strikes the perfect balance between playability and difficulty.

The Sandbelt around Melbourne, in turn, owes its reputation to the sandy soil, which remains firm and well-drained even after heavy rain. Particularly noteworthy is the artistry of the bunkers, some of which extend right up to the edge of the green. Kingston Heath is regarded as the benchmark: Rory McIlroy caused quite a stir when he ranked the course even above Royal Melbourne. It is often described as the finest flat course of all, offering a perfect balance of playability and difficulty.

Heathland, par 3s and links: the origins of the game

Sunningdale (Old), Berkshire, England. Possibly England’s finest course, and certainly its greatest inland one, Sunningdale showcases visually arresting, rolling terrain, with purple heather and yellow gorse working in tandem to paint the backdrop of one of the sport’s most beautiful natural cathedrals. Image: Courtesy of Sunningdale

Bild: Sunningdale

Heathland golf thrives on sandy, firm ground and on heather and gorse as obstacles; it is particularly suited to match play and is regarded as a sociable experience with a lunch break between 36 holes. The Old Course at Sunningdale in Berkshire is described as perhaps the most beautiful course in England and as the country’s finest inland course, set against a backdrop of purple heather and yellow gorse.

Sandbox, Sand Valley Resort, Nekoosa, Wisconsin, U.S.A. It doesn’t have the ocean views of Oregon’s Bandon Preserve or Nova Scotia’s The Nest, but Sandbox does have the best greens. You can play just about any kind of shot, including teeing off with a putter.

Image: Sand Valley

For more relaxed days, the article recommends par-3 courses, the number of which has grown significantly in recent times. According to the author, Sandbox at Sand Valley Resort in Wisconsin boasts the best greens and allows for almost any shot, even teeing off with a putter. And for those seeking the original spirit of the game, it can be found on links courses with firm ground, dunes and hardly any trees. Among the few courses outside the British Isles that can hold their own is Tara Iti in Mangawhai, New Zealand: Many consider it the best course built in the last 20 years, with ever-changing ocean views and challenging bunkers.

Travel planning: What’s on offer in autumn

Anyone tackling their bucket list now has the widest choice of courses in warmer regions: Yas Links in Abu Dhabi and TPC Sawgrass in Florida are ideal during the winter months, whilst Kingston Heath and Tara Iti beckon with spring and early summer weather in the Southern Hemisphere. Merion, Sunningdale and Sandbox, on the other hand, are best scheduled for the coming northern hemisphere season. This creates an itinerary that offers golfing opportunities all year round.

Golf and exclusive residential property – with the best courses on your doorstep

Golf and property have always gone hand in hand: a first-class course defines the atmosphere of a residential area, offering tranquillity, well-maintained landscapes and sweeping views. For buyers of exclusive properties, proximity to a special course can therefore be a key selling point. This also holds true here in Switzerland, as the country boasts courses of international standing.

To begin with, it is worth taking a look at Crans-Montana: the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, with its Severiano Ballesteros Course, is situated on a plateau in the Valais Alps and is regarded as the world’s most spectacular tournament venue. The Omega European Masters has been held here since 1939, taking place at the beginning of September each year. On the shores of Lake Geneva lies the Domaine Impérial in Gland, a rarity: it is one of the few courses designed by the renowned architect Pete Dye on the European continent.

In addition, the unassuming Golf Club de Genève, the Golf Club Lausanne in the hills above the lake, and the exclusive Zurich Golf & Country Club – redesigned by Tom Simpson in 1936 – are regularly ranked amongst the country’s top courses. In the east, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, with its golf course, is a fixture: The Swiss Senior Open, a highlight of the European Senior Tour, has been held here since 1997. In the south, the Golf Club Patriziale Ascona completes the picture.

Anyone wishing to combine golf with their lifestyle should therefore also bear in mind the quality of the location surrounding such courses, whether in the mountains, by the lake or in the countryside. Wüst und Wüst will be happy to advise you on your search for properties in exceptional locations or on the sale of your exclusive property.

Sources: Kevin Van Valkenburg (Fried Egg Golf), “Club Class: The Planet’s Greatest Golf Courses”, Christie’s International Real Estate, 21 September 2026. Top100GolfCourses.com, Switzerland Ranking; GolfLux, “Best Golf Courses in Switzerland”; Chase Golf Travel, “Golf in Switzerland”; Wikipedia, “Omega European Masters”