Sport and elegance in perfect harmony

RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 01 Spring 2026 | Text: Christian Bonk | Reading time: 7 minutes

For decades, the south of Munich has been a magnet for people who value quality of life, nature and sporting excellence. This unique blend is particularly striking in the area around Grünwald: golf, horse riding, sailing, tennis and padel characterise the region like almost nowhere else in Germany. Each of these sports has its own history and its own culture – and they all share the same ethos: quality, tradition and an environment that combines a passion for sport with social sophistication.

Golf – precision, tranquillity and an exclusive club culture

Aerial view of an expansive golf course with curving fairways, pale sand bunkers, clusters of trees and clubhouse buildings with red roofs. — Golf course from the air

Golf is one of the defining sports in the south of Munich. Its roots go back to the 15th century, and the first German course was established in Berlin in 1890. Munich quickly became a hub for the sport, as the first clubs were established here as early as the 1920s, and the region still boasts one of the highest densities of golf courses in Europe, complemented by renowned courses such as the Munich Golf Club, with its well-maintained facilities at the MGC Thalkirchen and MGC Straßlach club sites.

The Munich Golf Club is one of Germany’s most traditional and competitively successful clubs, combining its 27-hole course in Straßlach with a clear focus on top-level performance. The progress of the Bundesliga teams has been particularly impressive: The men’s first team reached the Final Four of the German Golf League for the first time, having previously dominated the 1st Bundesliga South with consistently strong results. The women’s Bundesliga team has also been among the national elite for years, winning the German championship title in 2013 and reaching the Final Four on several occasions.

In the hilly Munich ‘Fünfseenland’ region to the west of the city centre, the clubs in Starnberg and on Lake Wörth offer golf at its finest on elegant, well-maintained courses. Also well worth a visit are the Hochpähl Golf Club, situated between Andechs and Weilheim, and the Feldafing Golf Club, very close to Lake Starnberg.

The BMW International Open (1–5 July 2026) in Eichenried brings an international flair to the area. Another local highlight for ambitious golfers is the exclusive RIEDEL golf tournament, which brings together invited guests and partners for a round of golf every year. This prestigious tournament takes place at one of the courses belonging to the Munich Golf Club, with which RIEDEL has close ties as a business partner.

Horse riding – elegance, tradition and sporting depth

A rider in a white blouse and riding helmet sits on a chestnut horse, with a paddock with a white fence and trees in the background. — Munich and the surrounding area are a real El Dorado for all equestrian enthusiasts.

Equestrian sport is deeply rooted in Munich’s history. Modern horsemanship developed in the 17th century, and the first German clubs were founded in the 19th century. Today, Munich is one of Germany’s most important centres for equestrian sport. The Riem Olympic Equestrian Centre is an international hub for dressage, show jumping and eventing, and primarily offers equestrian activities on a club basis; here, young people and children have the opportunity to get started in the sport.

Around Grünwald, there are high-quality riding schools such as the Reitakademie Munich, Reiten bei Freunden and the Corona Solln Riding Club. The highlight of the year is the leading trade fair ‘Pferd International München’ (14–17 May 2026), southern Germany’s largest equestrian festival with a comprehensive programme centred on horses and riders. Here, visitors can experience top-class international dressage and show jumping, gain an insight into the art of vaulting, and enjoy a supporting programme featuring numerous thrilling shows.

Sailing with a view of the Zugspitze

A sailing crew hangs out over the side on trapezes as the boat cuts through the water with a taut sail, with a wooded shore behind. — Sailing on Lake Starnberg combines a sporting challenge with breathtaking scenery (Bavarian Yacht Club).

Sailing on Lake Starnberg is a real treat against the stunning backdrop of the Alps. Thanks to the proximity of the mountains, good thermal conditions reliably build up on warm days, and the combination of gentle breezes and strong afternoon winds creates a sailing area that is appreciated by beginners and regatta sailors alike.

Sailing on Lake Starnberg is a special treat against a stunning Alpine backdrop.

Since 1888, the Bavarian Yacht Club on Lake Starnberg has embodied that blend of tradition, sporting excellence and social exclusivity that makes it one of Germany’s most prestigious sailing clubs. Its location on the northern shore of the lake in Starnberg offers ideal wind conditions and a view that stretches far across the water, whilst the spacious, park-like club grounds delight with their refined atmosphere. Here, sailing is seen not merely as a sport, but as part of a lifestyle. As well as hosting coveted regattas, this exclusive club is also renowned for its dedicated youth programme.

A wooden yacht with a tall mast and light-coloured sails crosses the lake with several crew members on board, with wooded hills in the background. — Classic yacht on the lake

Alongside the Bavarian Yacht Club, the Munich Yacht Club, with its sporting tradition, and the Würmsee Sailing Club, with its friendly, vibrant club atmosphere, also help to shape this charming sailing area on the outskirts of Munich.

Tennis – A classic sport with a modern club culture

A player hits a stretched forehand on the clay court, with spectators sitting and standing behind the barrier in the sunshine. — The TC Großhesselohe regularly hosts top-class tennis tournaments and team matches.

Tennis originated in England in the 19th century and spread rapidly across Europe. Munich has been a centre for German tennis for decades – home to the MTTC Iphitos, the TC Großhesselohe and numerous ambitious clubs. In Grünwald itself, ElterSports offers the opportunity to play tennis either on an individual basis or as part of a club.

Nearby, in the neighbouring municipality of Oberhaching, you’ll also find tennis, squash and padel facilities. This is where the TennisBase is located, which, as a national training centre, stands for the highest standards of professionalism and state-of-the-art training facilities. At the Beutelstahl Sports Park, there are seven well-maintained outdoor tennis courts, four indoor courts and two squash courts. Anyone wishing to play tennis in a pleasant club atmosphere will find the perfect venue at TC Oberhaching.

A tennis club well worth a visit in every respect is TC Großhesselohe, situated not far from Grünwald in Pullach. The large, well-maintained grounds are not just a good reason to become a member for your own tennis. Großhesselohe also fields a star-studded Bundesliga team in the race for the German championship. The club’s ‘Men’s 30’ team are also an insider’s tip for spectators looking to enjoy some superb tennis at home matches – led by none other than Germany’s former world number two: Tommy Haas. The ATP 500 tournament, the BMW Open (11–19 April 2026), brings an international tournament atmosphere to the city.

Row of padel courts with blue flooring behind glass walls and black steel frames in a modern hall, with a potted plant in the foreground. — Padel enthusiasts will find well-maintained indoor and outdoor courts at the Sport Center Hahn in Geretsried.

Padel – The rising star in the south of Munich

Padel is the newest of the premium sports – invented in Mexico in 1969 and played for the first time in Germany in 2013. Munich is now regarded as one of the key hotspots for the sport, driven by a young, international community. Over the past two years, around 60 new padel courts have been built in Munich – and it is still extremely difficult to secure a court, particularly during the sought-after evening hours.

Munich is now regarded as one of the key hotspots, driven by a young, international community.

Not far from Grünwald lies the Hahn Geretsried Sports Centre / STC Oberland, one of Germany’s most modern multi-sport centres. Four indoor padel courts, two outdoor courts, pickleball and tennis make up a comprehensive sports package. The STC has been ranked amongst Germany’s top three padel venues for years and will host ten weekends of the German Padel Series in 2026.

In Starnberg, the local padel and tennis complex offers six outdoor padel courts and a packed programme featuring amateur tournaments, as well as tournaments from the German Padel Series and the Bavarian Championships organised by the BTV. Also noteworthy in Geretsried and Starnberg is the vibrancy of the communities, which fosters a dynamic for individual networking with like-minded people unlike that found in any other sport.

Conclusion

Sport is the most wonderful pastime in the world, especially when you have the opportunity to practise your favourite sport at facilities that perfectly combine sporting ambitions with a sophisticated lifestyle. Grünwald and its immediate surroundings offer a remarkable variety of such opportunities, no matter which sport you choose to explore Munich and its unique venues.

When the club becomes a location factor

Anyone looking for a house in the south of Munich asks about schools, journey times and the neighbourhood. Sports facilities are less likely to feature on the list, but they shape everyday life just as much: a 27-hole golf course in Straßlach, a national training centre in Oberhaching, a sailing club with youth programmes in Starnberg, and a tennis club in Pullach whose home matches are at Bundesliga level. Such facilities have developed over decades and cannot simply be built into a location retrospectively.

This feature takes us across the region, from Grünwald via Pullach and Oberhaching to Starnberg, Geretsried and the Fünfseenland. We are available to speak to locally in Pullach, Ottobrunn and the Fünfseenland. The Munich market report shows how supply and prices have developed recently.

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