In de Bargen 59,
nr Blankenese, Hamburg D-22587
Office
+49 (0)40 812 177Pro shop
+49 (0)40 812 177Fax
+49 (0)40 817 315Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Stephan Blume, Matthias Boje et al (PGA, Golf Professionals).The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined heathland. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Designer:
Original design at this location by Harry Colt of English design firm Colt, Alison & Morrison (1928). Revamped in 1960s by Germany's most renowned golf course architect, Dr Bernhard Limburger (known as "Limmy").
53.571746
9.773444
4 km NW of Blankenese / 15 km W of Hamburg.
Hamburger Golf-Club - Falkenstein is home to a classic and very traditional golf course, which many would argue is among the top three "heathland" courses in continental Europe, together with Morfontaine outside Paris, and Utrecht "De Pan" in the Netherlands. Typically it is rated the No.1 layout in Germany, and deservedly so.
Falkenstein is located on the edge of a large area of natural woodland, just a kilometre from the banks of the River Elbe. This revered tree-lined heathland course, laid out in two nine-hole loops, contains a wealth of wonderfully crafted, memorable and challenging holes. There's plenty of heather on show here, bordering the predominantly tree-lined fairways, with Scots pine also much in evidence. The abundance of heather ("heide" in German), provides edging for several of the bunkers, while also creating one or two longish carries from the tee.
The mix of doglegging and straightaway holes attractively lace their way through quiet woodland avenues, inexorably heading to well-bunkered and subtly sloping greens. There's a few blind drives in the mix, and many holes play down from elevated tees and back up to elevated greens. Falkenstein is a truly great course that wouldn't be remotely out of place sitting alongside the very best of England's Surrey-Berkshire heathland elite.
Pick of the holes: the opening par-4 1st is an excellent scene-setter for what's to come. Played from an elevated tee, the hole gently sweeps right-to-left past fairway bunkers, and then to a large elevated green. The par-5 17th also gently doglegs right-to-left; a good drive provides the chance to cross a wide expanse of heather with your second shot, as you journey downhill to the green.
Visitors welcome on weekdays; only with a member at weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap required. Maximum handicap: 36 men & women.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Soft spikes preferred. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire.
Good
Hamburger Golf-Club - Falkenstein has hosted numerous top level tournaments including several German Open Championships (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Falkenstein). This is where a 24-year-old Bernhard Langer won his first German Open Championship in 1981, becoming the first German to do so since the founding of the tournament in 1911. Langer went on to win a total of five German Opens, the fourth oldest national open championship in Europe behind the British (1860), French (1906) and Belgian (1910).
Germany's No.1 course (Golf World, 2022).
Continental Europe's 10th best course (Golf World, 2025).
Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).
Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7).
After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).
Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.
Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
