Golfing the European Low Country
Golf isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when people think of The Netherlands and Belgium. But these countries offer fantastic courses close to fantastic cities. We love to play eight courses here: four links along the North Sea, four heathland in the interior. Many were designed by famed English architect Harry Colt, and draw comparisons to Britain most recognized courses. With stays in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Brugge, this trip is the perfect European vacation.
What We Love About The Netherlands & Belgium
We start in Amsterdam, one of the most uniquely beautiful and fun cities in the world. It also puts us within a 45-minute drive of three great links courses—Kennemer, Noordwijk, and Koninklijke Haagsche (known as “Royal Hague”)—and Utrecht De Pan, a great heathland course. In the south part of the country, Bernardus is just a few years old but is already hosting major tournaments and receiving widespread acclaim. And Eindhoven is a six-time host of the Dutch Open; it winds through dense forest in the province of North Brabant, birthplace of Vincent Van Gogh.
Moving on to Belgium, you’ll notice more chocolate, waffles and French fries—and find two courses we consider “must play.” Antwerp is a beautiful old city known as the “diamond capital of the world.” Just outside it is Royal Antwerp. Dating back to 1888, it’s the oldest course in the country. To close out the trip, travel back up to the North Sea coast to play Royal Zoute, the fabulous, unconventional links, before spending your final afternoon and evening in the incredible medieval city of Brugge.
Favourite Courses
Koninklijke Haagsche (“Royal Hague”): The oldest club in The Netherlands and a previous host of the Dutch Open, you’ll be surprised this World Top-100 course isn’t in Britain or Ireland.
Kennemer: A classic links course with dunes, undulating ground and very setting-appropriate thatched-roof clubhouse. Located in the popular seaside resort town of Zandvoort.
Noordwijk: Nine-time host of the Dutch Open and the third notable links course on the Dutch coastline alongside Kennemer and Haagsche.
Utrecht De Pan: Designed by Harry Colt in the English heathland style, it’s the second oldest club in The Netherlands (by just one year). Another World Top-100, it requires good decision-making.
Bernardus: Opened in 2018, this new high end course is already hosting major tournaments, including the KLM Open in the summer of 2020.
Eindhoven: The layout of the holes is in two clockwise loops, each returning to the beautiful thatched roof clubhouse. This is a true Colt classic.
Royal Antwerp: A Willie Park Jr. design, with a Tom Simpson redesign, it weaves its way through beautiful pine forests.
Royal Zoute: A links on Belgium’s North Sea coast that breaks from the traditional out-and-back layout and offers consistently great holes throughout.
