Golf- und Land-Club Köln
Founded in 1906 and settled at Refrath in 1956, Golf- und Land-Club Köln is one of Germany's grand old clubs. The parkland course was shaped by the country's most renowned architect, Bernhard von Limburger, a par 72 of about 6,780 yards that has frequently hosted the German Open.
Photo: Golf- und Land-Club Köln via Google.
The verdict
Golf- und Land-Club Köln carries as much history as any club in Germany. Founded in 1906 and first played on a Cologne racecourse, it moved to its mature parkland home at Refrath in Bergisch Gladbach in 1956, where Bernhard von Limburger, the most influential German architect of his era, shaped a course of real championship pedigree through pine and broadleaf woodland.
The quality of the layout made it a regular host of international championships, including the German Open, with Bernhard Langer among its national open champions and a roll call of the game's greats having competed there. For the traveling golfer it is a classical, tree lined test on the edge of Cologne, an excellent centerpiece for a Rhineland trip that pairs serious golf with one of Germany's most characterful cities.
Golf- und Land-Club Köln at a glance
- Founded
- 1906
- Refrath course
- 1956
- Designer
- Bernhard von Limburger
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,780 yds
- Access
- Private, limited visitors
Founding year, course history, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Golf- und Land-Club Köln and leading course databases. The club was founded in 1906 and moved to Refrath in 1956, with the course shaped by Bernhard von Limburger and later work by Georg Boehm and Howard Swan, a par 72 of about 6,780 yards. The club is private with limited visitor access; any green fee is arranged with the club, so always confirm access and rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Refrath course is classical von Limburger, a parkland routing that runs through mature woodland where the trees define the lines as firmly as any bunker. The fairways are generously framed but ask for accuracy off the tee, and the approaches must find greens set among the timber, where the angle of attack matters more than raw length.
It is the variety and balance that have made the course a championship venue for so long, a strong, well paced set of par 4s, a good collection of par 3s and finishing holes that have decided national opens. The conditioning is excellent and the greens true, rewarding the player who drives it straight and controls the ball into the heart of each putting surface.
This is a course for the golfer who appreciates classical, tree lined design and a deep sense of history. With the German Open pedigree behind it, a round at Refrath is one of the most rewarding inland tests in the Rhineland.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors admitted on a limited basis, generally on weekdays and with a recognized club membership and handicap certificate |
| Green fee | Visitor green fee arranged with the club where access allows (indicative, 2026); confirm the current rate directly before booking |
| Booking | Contact the secretariat or golf shop well in advance; a letter of introduction from your home club helps |
| On the day | Walking is the tradition on the parkland routing; smart golf dress and etiquette expected |
| Getting there | Refrath in Bergisch Gladbach, about 20 to 30 minutes east of central Cologne and roughly 20 minutes from Cologne Bonn Airport |
| Best months | May to September for the warmest, driest Rhineland golfing weather |
Access and fee guidance verified June 2026; the club is private and policies change, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Cologne, a short drive west of the course and one of Germany's great cities, with its cathedral, its riverside and its lively dining and nightlife all within easy reach. A Cologne base puts the course and the city comfortably within a single trip.
For a wider Rhineland tour, Cologne pairs naturally with Düsseldorf and the other inland clubs of North Rhine-Westphalia, an ideal region to build a golf and city trip around, combining classical parkland golf with the culture of the Rhine.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Cologne.
Build a Rhineland golf trip
We arrange access at Golf- und Land-Club Köln where it is allowed, pair it with the best of the Rhineland and book the lodging around it. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf- und Land-Club Köln questions
Who designed Golf- und Land-Club Köln and when did it open?
The club was founded in 1906 and moved to its parkland course at Refrath in Bergisch Gladbach in 1956, shaped by Germany's most renowned golf course architect Bernhard von Limburger, with later work by Georg Boehm and Howard Swan.
What is the par and length of Golf- und Land-Club Köln?
The championship course at Refrath is a par 72 of about 6,780 yards, roughly 6,200 meters, a mature parkland layout running through pines and broadleaf woodland.
Has Golf- und Land-Club Köln hosted the German Open?
Yes. The course has frequently hosted international championships, including the German Open. Bernhard Langer won the national open at the club in 1975, and many of the game's greats have played there.
Can visitors play Golf- und Land-Club Köln?
Golf- und Land-Club Köln is a private members club that admits visitors on a limited basis, generally on weekdays and with a handicap certificate. Contact the club in advance, and always confirm access and any green fee directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Founding year, course history, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.