St Leon-Rot St Leon Course
Dave Thomas designed the St Leon course at Golf Club St Leon-Rot in 2001, and it quickly became one of the most important tournament venues in Germany. A par 72 backed by SAP founder Dietmar Hopp, it hosted the 2015 Solheim Cup and a long run of European Tour events, and it remains open to visitors with a handicap.
Photo: Golf Club St. Leon-Rot via Google.
The verdict
Golf Club St Leon-Rot sits in the flat farmland south of Heidelberg, and it owes its scale to SAP co founder Dietmar Hopp, who funded a 36 hole complex with practice facilities considered among the finest in Europe. The St Leon course, a Dave Thomas design opened in 2001, is the championship layout of the two and the one that has hosted the big events.
It is a modern parkland test with water in play on many holes, generous landing areas off the tee and large, contoured greens that reward a confident long game. The course staged the Deutsche Bank SAP Open, where Tiger Woods won three times, and in 2015 it became the first German venue for the Solheim Cup. For a visiting golfer it is a rare chance to play a genuine tournament course that still welcomes guests.
Golf Club St Leon-Rot, St Leon Course at a glance
- Opened
- 2001
- Designer
- Dave Thomas
- Type
- Championship parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Beyond 7,000 yds
- Green fee
- Visitors with handicap
Designer, opening year and par verified June 2026 from Golf Club St Leon-Rot and leading course databases. The St Leon course is a Dave Thomas design from 2001, a par 72 that can stretch beyond 7,000 yards for championship play and runs about 6,540 yards from the everyday tees. It hosted the 2015 Solheim Cup and the Deutsche Bank SAP Open. The club welcomes visitors with a recognised handicap; green fees are indicative for 2026, so always confirm the current rate and tee sheet directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The St Leon course is built for tournament golf, wide enough off the tee to let players open their shoulders but defended by water, bunkering and green complexes that test the second shot. Thomas used the lakes and channels of the site to frame approaches and force decisions, and from the championship tees the carries and the length make it a serious examination.
The greens are the heart of the test, large, fast and full of internal movement, so finding the correct portion matters far more than simply hitting the putting surface. Several risk and reward par 4s and reachable par 5s give the bold player a chance, which is exactly why it has produced such good viewing in professional events.
What sets St Leon-Rot apart for the traveller is the supporting cast. The practice campus, the second course and the club's tournament pedigree mean a day here feels like an event in itself, and the chance to walk a recent Solheim Cup venue keeps it high on any German golf itinerary.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visitors with a recognised handicap; tee times subject to availability and club events |
| Green fee | Visitor green fee available (indicative, 2026); rates vary by day and season, confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Book through the club's golf reception in advance; weekday access is easiest and tournament weeks are blocked |
| On the day | World class practice campus, buggies and carts available; a handicap certificate is generally required |
| Getting there | St. Leon-Rot in Baden-Wurttemberg, about 20 minutes south of Heidelberg and 35 minutes from Mannheim |
| Best months | May to September for the warmest, driest conditions on the Rhine plain |
Access and fee arrangements verified June 2026; St Leon-Rot is a private club that admits visitors with a handicap and rates change, so always confirm directly before booking, especially around tournament weeks.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Heidelberg, one of the loveliest cities in Germany, with its castle, old town and riverside all within 20 minutes of the club. It makes an easy and characterful base for a couple of nights around a round at St Leon-Rot.
For a wider trip, the Rhine and Neckar valleys are full of golf and good wine country, and the club's two courses and practice facilities can comfortably fill a full day. Pair St Leon-Rot with the classic parkland clubs of the region for a relaxed German golf break.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Golf Club St Leon-Rot, St Leon Course.
Build a German golf trip
We secure tee times at St Leon-Rot where the tournament calendar allows, pair them with the best of the Rhine and Neckar region and book the lodging in Heidelberg around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf Club St Leon-Rot, St Leon Course questions
Who designed the St Leon course at St Leon-Rot and when did it open?
The St Leon course was designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 2001, the championship layout of the club's two 18 hole courses, funded by SAP co founder Dietmar Hopp.
What tournaments has St Leon-Rot hosted?
The St Leon course hosted the 2015 Solheim Cup, the first held in Germany, and a long run of the European Tour's Deutsche Bank SAP Open, which Tiger Woods won three times.
Can visitors play St Leon-Rot?
Yes. St Leon-Rot is a members club that welcomes visitors with a recognised handicap, subject to availability and the tournament calendar. Confirm the green fee and tee sheet directly before booking.
Where is St Leon-Rot?
The club is at St. Leon-Rot in Baden-Wurttemberg, about 20 minutes south of Heidelberg and within easy reach of Mannheim and Frankfurt.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
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.