Golfplatz Niederbüren ☆ Follow

The Ostschweizerischer Golf Club in Niederbüren is an 18-hole Championship course with a Par 72, situated in the canton of St. Gallen between the towns of St. Gallen and Wil. The layout spans 5,918 meters from the back tees, making it a relatively short course by length, but it is designed to be highly demanding. The course is embedded between the Thur river and a forested hilly landscape, a setting that provides a quiet natural environment rich in flora and fauna. The playing characteristics are defined by narrow, flat fairways that require precise driving. The course features varied terrain transitions, multiple water hazards, and small, undulating greens that challenge approach shots and putting. The difficulty is reflected in the Course Ratings, which range from 70.5 to 73.7 depending on the tees played, with Slope Ratings between 125 and 134. The course utilizes four sets of tees: white and yellow for men, and blue and red for ladies, allowing for adjustable difficulty levels. The club was founded in 1948 by a group including Dr. René Bühler, Max Paul Zollikofer, and Hans Eidenbenz, with the first six holes opening in 1949. The course was expanded to nine holes the same year, twelve in 1958, and reached its full 18-hole configuration in 1961. The club has a history of resilience, notably rebuilding after the Thur dam burst in 1965 and again after flooding in 1994. A new modern clubhouse was constructed in 1993, replacing an original military barracks. Sustainability is a core component of the club's operations. The OSGC received Geo-zertifizierung in 2021, recognizing its nature-friendly management, and was awarded the Swisstainable certificate in 2022. The course includes specific local rules regarding out-of-bounds areas, particularly near the Thur river, and designates certain areas as No Play Zones. The club also maintains a driving range and a short-game facility, which were renovated in 2006.