Golf Club Bad Homburg – Over 130 Years of Tradition at the Taunus

When you think of the birthplace of German golf, you think of Bad Homburg. On the southern slopes of the Taunus mountains, between the historic Kurpark and the forest edge, lies Germany's oldest golf course – founded in an era when kings and emperors spent their summers in this spa town. The history of the Royal Homburger Golf Club is inseparable from the history of Bad Homburg itself: a story of tradition, internationality and the distinctive charm of a town that has attracted visitors from around the world for centuries.

How Golf Came to Germany

It was 1889 when Edward VII, then still Prince of Wales and uncle of Kaiser Wilhelm II, initiated the construction of a golf course in Bad Homburg's Kurpark. The British heir to the throne regularly spent the summer months in the spa town, which at the time ranked among Europe's most fashionable resorts. Kings, tsars and the European aristocracy gathered here to promenade, take the waters and socialise.

For the sports-loving prince, it was only natural to bring his favourite sport to his favourite spa town. The course laid out in the Kurpark in 1889 – known today as the Old Course – became the first golf course on German soil. As early as 1891, the first golf tournament in Germany was held here.

From Aristocratic Sport to Modern Club

In 1899, the golf club was officially registered as an association. Its first president was none other than His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. The club's early years were shaped by Bad Homburg's aristocratic society – golf was a sport of the upper classes, and the club a meeting point for the European elite.

In 1905, the Homburger Gold Cups were established – the oldest tournament trophies in German golf. They continue to be contested every year to this day, a tradition that has accompanied the club through all of history's upheavals.

Over the course of the 20th century, the club transformed from an exclusive aristocratic institution into a modern sports club that today welcomes golfers of all ages and skill levels. With over 100 young players in regular training, the club has a particularly youthful heart.

The Royal Seal: Why the Club Bears the Title "Royal"

In April 2013, the Homburger Golf Club received an honour unique in German golf history: Queen Elizabeth II granted the club permission to bear the honorary title "Royal" – making it the only golf club in Germany to hold this prestigious distinction. The honour recognises the historic connection to the British royal family, reaching back to the club's founding by the Prince of Wales.

Worldwide, only select golf clubs bear this title – from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland to Royal Melbourne in Australia. The Royal Homburger Golf Club now stands among this illustrious company and maintains active partnerships with Royal Golf Clubs in England, Belgium and other countries.

Two Courses, One Unique Experience

The Old Course in the Kurpark

The historic Old Course lies in the heart of the spa town, surrounded by ancient trees and the springs of the Kurpark. With its six holes (all Par 3), it is a unique piece of golfing history. The fairways extend through the expansive park, combining golf with the special atmosphere of one of Hesse's most beautiful gardens. The shortest tee measures 60 metres, the longest 120 metres – perfect for the short game and for golfers who want to literally feel history beneath their feet.

The New Course on the Taunus Slopes

The 18-hole New Course stretches along the slopes of the Taunus in beautiful parkland scenery. The fairways wind past biotopes, over gentle hills and through open woodland. Water comes into play as ponds and streams. A particular highlight is hole 16: the tee sits on a plateau, 30 metres above the course, with views of the Frankfurt skyline and the Odenwald.

The New Course is also home to the Royal Homburger Golf Academy, which ranks among Europe's most technologically advanced training facilities thanks to its modern TrackMan system. Seventeen open driving range bays, six covered virtual golf boxes and a TrackMan hall are available to golfers of all levels – including members of other clubs.

"The birthplace of golf in Germany is in Bad Homburg. To play here is to play on historic ground."

More Than Golf: Dining and Enjoyment at the Course

A great day on the golf course is about more than just the game. Good company, excellent food and views of nature are integral parts of golf culture – and at the Royal Homburger Golf Club, this is exactly what you'll find.

At the New Course, Passions Restaurant has been welcoming golfers and non-golfers alike for over six years. No club membership is required. The terrace offers a unique view across the golf course and the Taunus landscape – particularly on summer evenings, when the sun sets behind the hills. It is the only known dining location in Bad Homburg with a direct view of the sunset.

The cuisine is Mediterranean, classic German and modern international. Whether after a round of golf, for a family lunch at the weekend or a private celebration in the fireplace room – the restaurant at the golf club combines the tradition of the place with contemporary hospitality.

Bad Homburg: Spa Town, Golf Town, Gourmet Town

The connection between golf and gastronomy has a long tradition in Bad Homburg. Even the aristocratic visitors of the 19th century valued the combination of sporting activity and culinary pleasure. The spa town at the Taunus offered then, as it does today, the perfect setting: expansive green spaces, fresh air from the Taunus mountains and a dining scene that combines international standards with regional roots.

Today, Bad Homburg is far more than a former imperial residence. The town in the Hochtaunus district blends history with modernity, nature with urban flair. The golf club is a mirror of this diversity: historically grown, internationally connected and yet firmly anchored in the region between Frankfurt and the Taunus.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Golf Club

Where is the oldest golf course in Germany?

Germany's oldest golf course is in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe. The Old Course in the Kurpark was established in 1889 at the initiative of the Prince of Wales. The Royal Homburger Golf Club was founded as a registered association in 1899, making it one of the most storied golf clubs in Europe.

Why is the golf club in Bad Homburg called "Royal"?

In April 2013, Queen Elizabeth II granted the Homburger Golf Club permission to bear the honorary title "Royal" – making it the only golf club in Germany to hold this distinction. This rare honour recognises the historic connection to the British royal family, dating back to the club's founding by the Prince of Wales in 1889.

Can non-golfers dine at the golf club in Bad Homburg?

Yes. Passions Restaurant at the New Course of the Royal Homburger Golf Club is open to all guests – no club membership is required. The restaurant offers Mediterranean and international cuisine, a terrace with golf course views and the fireplace room for private occasions. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 22:00.

Which golf courses are there in Bad Homburg?

The Royal Homburger Golf Club has two courses: the historic Old Course in the Kurpark with six holes (Par 3) and the New Course on the Taunus slopes with 18 holes (parkland course). Both courses are accessible to visiting players.