Adamstal
Jeff Howes carved Adamstal into a forested valley in the Lower Austrian Alps, a dramatic par 70 of about 5,920 yards that has been voted Austria's course of the year six times. It is one of the most spectacular mountain courses in Europe.
Photo: Golf Club Adamstal via Google.
The verdict
Adamstal, the Franz Wittmann Golf Club at Ramsau near Hainfeld, began as nine holes in 1995 and grew to eighteen by 1998, all of it shaped by the Irish architect Jeff Howes through a steep, wooded valley in the Lower Austrian Alps. A jury of experts has named it Austria's course of the year six times, and its theatre sets it apart.
This is mountain golf at its most dramatic, with elevated tees, plunging tee shots over forest and water, and holes routed around rock and stream. At a par 70 of about 5,920 yards it is not long, but the elevation changes, the forced carries and the sheer scenery make it a thrilling and demanding day. Few courses in Europe are more memorable to look at.
Adamstal at a glance
- Opened
- 1998
- Designer
- Jeff Howes
- Type
- Mountain
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 5,920 yds
- Green fee
- Visitors
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Adamstal and leading course databases. The eighteen hole championship course was designed by Jeff Howes, opening as nine holes in 1995 and extended to eighteen in 1998, a par 70 of about 5,920 yards. Visitors are welcome with advance booking, and green fees vary by day and season. Always confirm current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Adamstal plays through a tight forested valley, the holes threading between wooded slopes with elevation changes on almost every shot. Jeff Howes used the dramatic terrain to full effect, with elevated tees that drop the player into the valley and approaches played to greens cut into the hillside.
Water and rock come into play throughout, with mountain streams crossing fairways and forced carries that demand commitment. The par 70 is short on the card but never easy, the steep ground and the precise targets keeping the score honest. The signature holes, plunging from high tees through the trees, are among the most photographed in Austrian golf.
Course management and accurate iron play matter far more than length here. Adamstal rewards the golfer who picks the right club and commits to the line over the valley, and the scenery alone makes it worth the trip into the Lower Austrian Alps. It is a genuine bucket list mountain course.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Visitors welcome with advance booking alongside members; a handicap is recommended |
| Green fee | Varies by day and season; confirm current visitor rates directly (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the club; the season runs roughly April to October in the mountains |
| On the day | Buggy course over steep, forested mountain terrain; sturdy footwear and extra balls help |
| Getting there | Ramsau near Hainfeld, about 75 minutes southwest of Vienna |
| Best months | May to September for the warm Alpine season; spring and autumn bring colour to the valley |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates and availability change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Adamstal has lodging at the club in the heart of the valley, the simplest base for a mountain golf stay. The Lower Austrian countryside around Hainfeld is quiet and scenic, with spa towns and vineyards within easy reach.
For a wider trip, Vienna sits 75 minutes northeast with its hotels, culture and dining, and the other strong courses of Lower Austria are close by. Adamstal pairs naturally with a Vienna city stay and a tour of the region's mountain and parkland courses.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Adamstal.
Build an Austria golf trip
We secure Adamstal tee times, pair them with the best of Lower Austria and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Adamstal questions
Who designed Adamstal and when did it open?
Adamstal was designed by the Irish architect Jeff Howes, opening as nine holes in 1995 and extended to eighteen in 1998, set in a forested valley in the Lower Austrian Alps.
What is the par and length of Adamstal?
Adamstal is a par 70 of about 5,920 yards. It is short on the card, but the steep mountain terrain and forced carries make it a demanding round.
Why is Adamstal so highly rated?
A jury of experts has voted Adamstal Austria's course of the year six times, for its dramatic mountain routing, elevated tees and spectacular scenery in the Lower Austrian Alps.
Can visitors play Adamstal?
Yes. Adamstal welcomes visitors with advance booking alongside members. Green fees vary by day and season, so confirm current visitor rates directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.