Golfing Region Niederlande

The province of Zeeland in the south-western Netherlands is certainly not one of the world's golfing paradises. Zeeland consists of a number of islands, peninsulas and a piece of mainland on the border with Belgium. The area is enclosed by the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt rivers. The region is also known for its great beaches, the many water sports facilities and the famous Delta Project.

Pitch and chips on the Zeeland coast

Every Friday, the same spectacle takes place here: long avalanches of German tourists meander from the far west of Germany via the Belgian diamond city of Antwerp up to the Dutch North Sea coast. And usually with a clear destination: a short vacation in the tourist regions of Domburg, Vlissingen and Middelburg. Or: further north to the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland to the tourist magnets of Renesse or Burgh-Haamstede with their clean, unspoiled beaches.

Water sports are omnipresent in Holland

In addition to cycling, water sports are particularly at home here. Whether windsurfing, kitesurfing, kitebuggying or blokarting - the wind that is cursed in golf is not an accepted evil here - but a desired must.

But what do you do when the much-needed wind fails to materialize or family men on the beach are suddenly struck by the dreaded "baking pan collapse"? Quite simple - take a morning off and make use of one of the few but sufficient golfing opportunities. On the Schouwen-Duiveland peninsula, the Golfbaan Molenberg near Burgh Haamstede offers good conditions for an adequate training session. The driving range (usage fee €3.50 + €5 for 85 balls) is around 280 meters long and meets high standards.

Pitch and chip in the Dutch front garden

The 18-hole par-3 course is really interesting and unorthodox by German standards. The first very sceptical impression of the set-up with holes with a maximum length of only 50 meters (!) is put into perspective with the game. The admittedly very short, partly wooded course is a very demanding training session for an average handicapper (HCP 20), requiring a very precise game.

The direct path to the incredibly small greens (maximum 3 square meters) is often blocked by chestnut trees around three to four meters high. Accurate play with sand and gap wedges is essential in the pretty Dutch front garden and marks the level of difficulty. Scoffers will regard the Golfbaan Molenberg as a better pitch and chip course, but this course is equipped with a few tricks so that the fun factor quickly sets in. After the extensive pitch and chip session, a typical grote patat speciaal* in the clubhouse can round off a relaxing morning.

Challenging golf courses, few trees

If you don't want to do without your driver and long irons, the "front garden" of Golfbaan Molenberg will certainly not be completely happy. Fortunately, de Goese Golf is a challenging, well-maintained 18-hole course in the immediate vicinity (GF 65€ high season/55€ low season).

The level of maintenance is truly exceptional. The high season runs from March to October. The very windy and unstable low season lasts from November to March. At the lowest tip of Zeeland - almost on the border with Belgium - is the Oostburg Brugse Vaart Golf Club (€65 green fee), probably the "most popular club" in South Holland. If you have set up your vacation home further north in the Middelburg region, we recommend the Domburgsche Golf Club (GF 65€) or the 9-hole course at GC BurgGolf Middelburg (GF 36€).

All in all, every golfer of every level will find their own personal challenge in Zeeland. Moderate prices and the extremely friendly and helpful Dutch round off a welcome picture of the Zeeland golf region. With this in mind: Een heel mooi weekend en veel plezier!

*a large Dutch fries with mayonnaise, curry ketchup and onions
** Have a nice weekend and lots of fun!