Kulm Golf: Views above par
By
James Hogg
At 1864 metres above sea level,
the Kulm Golf Course isn’t just a place to play golf; it’s a true immersion that engages all your senses. Beyond the incredible views, the design of this wonderful course is exceptional and also extremely complex to play. The course presents a series of unique challenges, thoughtfully designed by Architect Mario Verdieri to blend naturally with contours of the land. The 9-hole, par 3 course at 1000m in length demands precision off the tee, as hazards await at every turn.
As a photographer, it was my job to capture this course’s beauty. I’ll never forget walking up the steep fairway to the first green, with a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Alps rising in the distance. Immediately, I found myself experimenting with different aerial shots and camera techniques, trying to frame the perfect image of the lush greens against the landscape. My drone allowed me to showcase the scale and perspective of the course and the dramatic contrast between the manicured course and the wild, untouched nature surrounding it.
Most of my work was captured during either sunrise or sunset, also known as the golden hour, which provided the perfect lighting conditions for golf course photography. This proved quite a challenge as every morning, the dense fog known as “The Maloja Snake” rolled in and created a difficult task, but it was also a huge opportunity to shoot something extra special. Some of my favourite images were captured during this time.
In the evening, the surrounding mountains cast their huge shadows for miles, so there were very short moments in time to capture the perfect image. Lighting was crucial and shooting at just the right time could make or break a shot.
“The wildlife at Kulm was remarkably beautiful...”
One of my biggest passions in life is exploring the wild outdoors and capturing nature through my lens. The wildlife at Kulm was remarkably beautiful, with views of eagles soaring above the large pine trees and beautiful dark red squirrels foraging for food near the green, which added a touch of wilderness. I’ll also never forget walking the golf course under the stars to try and photograph the Milky Way, as the light pollution here is very low and the air quality is excellent.
A short five-minute walk from the clubhouse is the exceptional Kulm Hotel, where I had the pleasure of staying. With its wonderful alpine decor, world-class spa facilities, and the most delicious food, this was definitely one of the highlights of the stay.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of travelling the globe and producing work for many of the world’s leading resorts and golf courses and my experience at Kulm will live long in my memory. I can only imagine what this place looks like in the snow, when it’s transformed into a breathtaking winter wonderland.
About the author
James Hogg is a world-renowned golf course photographer, recognised for his exceptional work for prestigious courses, private clubs, luxury resorts and golf course architects. He is also a highly skilled, licensed drone pilot.