The Austrian Alpine Open, held from 28–31 May 2026 at Golfclub Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith, brought the DP World Tour to Kitzbühel for the first time. The $2.75 million event was Austria’s largest golf tournament, and it doubled as a showcase for a region that most UK golfers have associated with skiing rather than fairways.
For anyone who watched the coverage and wondered whether Kitzbühel is worth a golf trip, the answer is yes, thanks to more than the tournament course. The town sits at the centre of a golf network that stretches across Tirol, with enough variety and enough alpine scenery to justify a dedicated visit.
The Tournament Venue
Golfclub Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith opened in 1989 and previously hosted the Kitzbühel Golf Alpin Open on the European Challenge Tour in 2003, putting Kitzbühel back on the golfing map in a big way.
The par-72 layout is tucked among rolling hills between the Hahnenkamm, the Schwarzsee moor lake, and the Wilder Kaiser mountain range. Water hazards come into play across several holes, and the final six are considered the most demanding stretch. The par-3 16th, known as the “Mausefalle” (Mousetrap), is played over a small gorge and is memorable whether you find the green or not.
Ahead of the tournament, the course underwent extensive upgrades, with new tee boxes, redesigned bunker areas, and a modern practice facility. The significant investment that paved the way to these improvements will benefit green-fee visitors long after the grandstands come down.
Facilities include a covered driving range, putting and chipping greens, a pitching area, a pro shop, and the KitzGolf Academy for those looking to sharpen their game during a stay.
The Field and the Home Crowd
Austria’s Sepp Straka was the headline draw. Currently ranked world No. 13, Straka is a two-time Ryder Cup player and four-time PGA Tour winner. “I’m very excited to return to Austria to play in my national open again,” Straka said ahead of the event. “It’ll be a great opportunity to celebrate that success in front of family, friends and fans.”
Bernd Wiesberger, an eight-time DP World Tour winner and Austria’s first Ryder Cup participant, added further home-crowd interest. Maximilian Steinlechner, a tour newcomer and ambassador for Golf in Tirol, represented the next generation of Austrian golf after an impressive third-place finish on the 2025 HotelPlanner Tour.
The international field included defending champion Nicolai von Dellingshausen, Rafa Cabrera Bello, John Catlin (Austrian Open winner in 2021), Casey Jarvis, and Thriston Lawrence.
Despite the stella field of local talent, it was a Japanese golf named Kota Kaneko who surprised the fans to claim his maiden victory finishing 18 under par.
Kitzbühel’s Four-Course Offering
The tournament venue is one of four golf courses in and around Kitzbühel, which makes the town a genuine golf base rather than a one-course stop. All of the courses are located within close proximity of the town centre, making it very achievable a to plan out and play all the courses during a golf trip.
Golf Course Eichenheim
Eichenheim is regularly ranked amongst the top 5 courses in Austria and it’s the first ever design by renowned architect Kyle Phillips. The course was opened in 2000 and has matured into a wonderful playing experience with excellent conditioning. The course is very undulating with elevation changes from the tee boxes on numerous holes.
It measures over 6,000 meters from the back tees and plays significantly longer, making it a real challenge for all levels of golfer. At the time of writing, a regular green fee costs €95 for 18 holes, offering superb value for a first-class golf course.
Golf Course Kitzbühel Kaps offers both 9-hole (€74) and 18-hole (€125) options. Between them, the courses cover a range of challenges and settings, from gentler valley layouts to more exposed alpine terrain.
The course is extremely visitor friendly and offers a challenge to golfers of all levels, with multiple tee choices. The conditioning is exceptional, giving a garden-golf feel, with manicured fairways and stunning water features. The clubhouse is modern and classy and offers delicious food and an extensive menu. With a view from the terrace of the 8th and 9th green, you can watch the drama unfold, as players negotiate the island greens that bring an exciting crescendo to the end of their rounds.
Viktoria Veider-Walser, Managing Director of Kitzbühel Tourism, has described the town as “one of the leading golf regions in the Alpine region” on the strength of this four-course cluster alone.
With a multitude of 4* and 5* ‘golf’ hotels, the area is geared up for welcoming golfing trips and facilitates transfers and assisting with tee time bookings.
Golf Across Tirol
Beyond Kitzbühel, Tirol has more than 20 golf clubs, with 17 of them part of the Golf Tirol network. Courses range from valley-floor layouts to high-altitude designs with panoramic mountain views.
The Golf Tirol Card provides access to 17 courses and is sold in multi-round packages:
- 3 x 18-hole card, €297 (£257)
- 4 x 18-hole card, €392 (£339)
- 5 x 18-hole card, €485 (£419)
For visiting golfers planning to play four or five rounds, the card offers meaningful savings over individual green fees and a reason to explore courses beyond the immediate Kitzbühel area.
Beyond the Course
Kitzbühel is best known as the home of the Hahnenkamm downhill ski races and the Generali Open tennis tournament. The Austrian Alpine Open adds another major event to its sporting calendar.
In summer, the Schwarzsee, a short walk from the tournament course, is described as the warmest moor lake in Tirol, reaching 27°C. Swimming, fishing, boat rides, and a lakeside walking path make it a strong option for non-golfing travel companions.
The town itself has a historic old town centre, museums, galleries, and a dining scene that includes spots like Hotel Rasmushof, Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, and Das Reisch.
Getting There and What It Costs
Kitzbühel is accessible from Innsbruck, with EasyJet flights from London Gatwick available from £89 return. A transfer from Innsbruck to Kitzbühel costs from €79 (£69) one way or €150 (£130) return with Four Seasons Travel.
Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly to upmarket. Pension Rainhof, a B&B in Kitzbühel, prices a four-night stay from £300 per person based on two sharing. Hotel Rasmushof starts from €247 (£214) per night for two on a B&B basis.
Tournament tickets for the Austrian Alpine Open were priced from £35, putting spectator access within reach for golfers combining a playing trip with a day or two watching tour professionals navigate the same course.
Is It Worth the Trip?
Kitzbühel works as a golf destination because the infrastructure already exists. Four courses in town, another 19 within an hour’s drive, a well-organised multi-course card, reliable summer weather, and alpine scenery that makes even a poor round feel tolerable. The tournament has raised Kitzbühel’s profile, while the course upgrades at Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith give the venue a lasting improvement that green-fee visitors will benefit from directly.
For UK golfers, the combination of a short flight to Innsbruck, a manageable transfer, and competitive accommodation pricing puts Tirol on the list alongside more established European golf destinations. The golf is there. The setting does the rest.
Useful links
www.tyrol.com/activities/sport/golfing
