Altenhof

Overview: Altenhof is a distinctive parkland course set around the historic Altenhof estate near Eckernförde and the Baltic coast. Mature specimen trees, gentle hills, open agricultural views and a former quarry give the course an unusual visual rhythm. It is not a repetitive tree-lined test: holes change direction and perspective, and the angles into the greens can be surprisingly demanding. The setting feels like an English country estate, but the routing has a character of its own.

History: Golf Club Altenhof was founded in 1971 after a major storm opened parts of the estate’s tree cover. Harald Gratenau designed the first nine holes, which became playable in 1974. When the club moved to 18 holes, Donald Harradine completed the expansion in 1986. A master plan carried out in 2015 and 2016 refreshed all 18 holes while retaining the estate’s established identity and many of its old trees.

Did You Know? Some specimen trees on the estate are nearly 500 years old. They survived the 1969 storm that helped make the golf project possible and still act as memorable strategic features, especially when a fairway appears to be blocked by a single tree.