Špindlerův Mlýn gets ready for Extreme Golf tournament

Four years ago, three friends including well-known Czech golf pro Alan Babický got it into their heads to bring Extreme Golf to the Czech Republic, a sport which, as you may have guessed is not played on traditional greens but on truly rough terrain in this case mowed trails on the Špindlerův Mlýn ski resort. The rules are fairly straightforward: players have three clubs and play 12 holes which are circles drawn on the ground. Sound fun?

Jan Velinger caught up with Alan Babický ahead of this year’s tournament (which takes place Saturday) to learn more.

“I was translating a book called ‘Extreme Golf’ which described the history of the sport worldwide, as well as some extreme places to play golf, and we got the idea to organise one type of tournament in the Czech Republic. Because there is a good history of downhill skiing and lots of ski resorts a mountain-type of tournament was the way to go. We organised the first one at Špindlerův Mlýn and it was a success: we had about 60 players who came out of nowhere! Most of the people didn’t know what it was about, brining their golf clothes and all their regular clubs and equipment. Extreme Golf is different. You need only three clubs and preferably trekking clothes. The rules are adjusted from regular golf.”

Is it fair to say that it is golf going back to its historic roots?

“That’s a good way to say it, absolutely. Originally golf as we know it 400 or 500 years ago was played not on normal terrain – not designed. But creative people came, creating courses to be strategic and to meet the rules. This is that you take your golf ball and golf ball and play in nature that way it is. So, although it is described as extreme and sounds modern and fashionable, it’s basically going really back to the rules of the sport as such. And of course, there’s no hole, just a colour circle.”

Can a natural course like this throw even a professional for a loop?

“Um, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. The only difficulty is really to find the ball when you hit it too far (laughs). There is really no strategic need to hit a ball 250 yards, because you will not be able to see where it lands. It’s usually around the corner of the ski slope and the shot would go 100 yards further. If you miss the fairway, if you miss the ski slope, there is no way to play from the bushes or trees: it’s gone!”