I had hear one has to take a test to play on any golf courses in Switzerland. Not so?
What does a short term visitor to Zurich need to do to be able to play golf? What are options for public golf courses near Zurich? The visitor is a golf professional in the US. Director of Golf for a country club. Thanks!
Most courses during the week will let you pay a green fee and play, whether they accept his PGA professional status (assuming that he is a PGA Pro) and give him courtesy of the course I don't know.
That's only to get a handicap in the first place, if you can prove a current handicap (handicap certificate less than 12 months old) then you are fine.
Otelfingen Golfpark (also known as Lagern) is probably the most accessible in the Zurich area, and has the best facilities. It's a 23 minute train ride and the train drops you off at the golf club.
It's 100fr for 18 holes at peak times, and you need to prove your handicap (I assume this would be easy for the man in question). I say "prove" but that entirely depends on the person at the reception desk. I have been with guests who have gotten away with just saying that they were "an X handicap back at their club in the UK". There is also two 6-hole courses, driving range, Trackman, putting greens, chipping areas, club shop, club rental and decent restaurant.
During the week - most golf courses other than a couple of high-end ones allow guests, you just have to pay the green fees around Fr.150 to Fr.180 mostly.
Weekends - unless you are a guest of a member, you have no chance on private courses. However there are some public courses that are surprisingly well maintained, and for these ones you should be able to get a t-time as long as you book by Tuesday.
If you have a car, you have quite a few good choices within 45 minutes drive.
By train - Otelfingen as mentioned by Tartan.