On the hill of Freudenstein Castle, among historic walls and the vineyards of Appiano, you hit balls with views of the Sciliar, the Catinaccio and Bolzano. It is not an 18-hole course: Schloss Freudenstein – The Training Center is a practice centre with a 16-bay driving range, TrackMan and four practice courses, part of the Golf & Country Südtirol group.
At a glance
- 16-bay driving range, bunker, chipping green and four practice courses
- 900 m² putting green, kept at 11–12 on the stimpmeter
- TrackMan, laser aiming tool and indoor simulator
- School led by head pro Malcolm Harrison, 50-minute individual lesson at 84 euros
- ✓ Driving range
- ✓ Putting green
- ✓ Golf academy
- ✓ Pro shop
Weather forecast: next 5 days
Golf Club Schloss Freudenstein - The Training Center, Appiano sulla Strada del Vino / Eppan
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Golf Club Schloss Freudenstein: the practice facilities
The centre stands on a rise above Appiano, in the grounds of Freudenstein Castle. It has no competition course: the club presents it as an “innovative practice centre for everyone”. The driving range has 16 bays; alongside are a pitching area, chipping green, bunker and a 900-square-metre putting green, which the club says it tends every day to reach a speed of 11–12 on the stimpmeter.
The most unusual feature is the four practice courses carved out of the hill and enclosed by the castle’s historic walls: they let you put into practice straight away what you learn at the academy. From here you can see the farmsteads of the area, the Sciliar, the Catinaccio and, in the distance, Bolzano.
Practising at Freudenstein as a guest
The Wine Road tourist portal gives opening hours of every day from 7 am to sunset, Mondays from 1 pm; hours vary and should be checked. The club’s website does not publish a price list for using the driving range: ask on 0471 1660056 or at [email protected].
For members of Golf & Country Südtirol, the group has agreements with other South Tyrolean clubs (Alta Badia, Passiria-Merano, Castelrotto-Alpe di Siusi, San Pietro, Lana, Pusteria), with 20% discounts on the green fee. Driving range balls are charged for adults taking a course and free for children.
The school and the centre’s technology
The golf school is led by head pro Malcolm J. Harrison, at the academy since 2009, previously head professional at Petersberg and Brunston Castle in Scotland; he has four holes in one to his name and says he worked with Luther Blacklock at Turnberry. Teaching alongside him are Andreas Lanthaler, PGA of Germany, and Dimitri Cavazzana.
Individual 50-minute lessons cost 84 euros (115 for two, 144 for three, 168 for four; prices with no year given); six-hour clinics cost 420 euros per person. The centre relies on TrackMan, which measures the complete flight of the ball (launch angle, speed, spin), a laser aiming tool, an indoor simulator and a putter simulator.
Curiosities about Schloss Freudenstein
- Practising inside a castle. The four practice courses are enclosed by Freudenstein’s historic walls.
- A 900 m² putting green. It is shaped with undulations and kept, the club says, at 11–12 on the stimpmeter.
- A pro with four holes in one. Head pro Malcolm Harrison made one at the 9th hole of Golfclub Petersberg.
- Radar on the hill. TrackMan measures every parameter of the ball’s flight.
Practical information
Visitor information
- • Dogs allowed on a leash
- • Mobile phones allowed on the course
- • GPS devices allowed
Practice facilities
- ✓ Driving range (16 bays, 1 covered)
- ✓ Putting green
- ✓ Pitching green
- ✓ Chipping green
- ✓ Practice bunker
- ✓ 3-hole short course
Club services
- ✓ Credit cards accepted
- ✓ Club rental
- ✓ Trolley rental
Club founded in 2009
