THE NETHERLANDS

Nine Top 100 stars and a lot more seaside and inland quality besides

1 UTRECHT DE PAN

Our No.2 in continental Europe has a wonderful variety of holes on which you have to move the ball in various ways to make a good score: high, low, draw, fade. Too short for elite players, but peerless fun among a pine and heather utopia.

2 ROYAL HAGUE

Runs De Pan close for our Dutch panel, this stunning seaside course enjoys amazing terrain, a magnificent collection of holes and is an unremitting challenge.

3 KENNEMER (B&C)

The original holes here are over awesome links land and with some polishing would be even closer to the Netherland’s top two.

4 EINDHOVEN

Split the three seaside courses for the first time in our 2021 Continental ranking, this Harry Colt heathland is relatively wide, forgiving and secluded. With further tree management, it would threaten the continent’s top 25. The short grass around the greens is a rarity in the Netherlands.

5 NOORDWIJKSE

Extremely penal and tough for higher handicappers because the inland holes are so tight. The land is amazing and the potential there to rise above Eindhoven again and be one of Europe’s greats.

6 HILVERSUMSCHE

The old Colt holes are arguably the best stretch in the Netherlands (11-17), with bags of subtlety. Colt’s work elsewhere at this heathland has been modified by Guy Campbell and, more recently, by Kyle Phillips.

7 ROSENDAELSCHE

The Netherlands’ oldest club is home to a terrific heathland which has opened new holes in recent years, permitting the creation of a large driving range. Belongs among the elite of the Netherlands.

8 BERNARDUS

A new Kyle Phillips design near Hilversum, it really looks the part and was a hit when it hosted the European Tour. In our continental 100 now.

9 DE SWINKELSCHE

The final Netherlands course in our Continental Top 100 list, it is a fun layout, with plenty going on on holes. Playable for all and liked by everybody.

10 HOGE KLEIJ

Keeps improving by cutting trees, moving bunkers, adding short grass around the greens and thinking about the future. It is a blueprint for other clubs that struggle to improve.

11 LAGE VUURSCHE

Kyle Phillips’ course has a great mix of penal, heroic and strategic holes. It is a testing experience so loses out a touch on playability, otherwise it would be in the top 10.

12 TOXANDRIA

A course that is improving in impressive ways and has the bones to be very cool.

13 THE DUTCH

Colin Montgomerie and European Golf Design worked a site characterised by flat farmland to create interest with water – several lakes, streams and canals – and sensible shaping. Every inch the Tour venue.

14 STIPPELBERG

Penal at frequent points, but it also has some great holes. Never boring!

15 LINKS VALLEY

Fun, reversible layout from Frank Pont. Turtle-backed greens may not appeal to all, but the holes are fun to play. Lots of touch needed around the greens to make a score.

16 THE INTERNATIONAL

Great routing by Ian Woosnam and Bruno Steensels, right beside Schipol airport. The landscaping is solid if extreme at times on a target course that will appeal to strong players.

17 DOMBURG

One of the few genuine links in continental

Europe, located on the island of Walcheren.

18 HEELSUM (AIRBORNE/SANDR)

Nice renovation here, though 27 holes is a bit much for the site. Gorse, heather, sand and lots of ground movement around the greens.

19 DE TEXELSE

Located on an island national park, in the middle of a huge duneland, where marram grass, water hazards and large greens characterise this distinctive course.

20 GELPENBERG

A course with potential if they widened the corridors further for play.