Played by NCG: The Dutch
Reason for a The Dutch Golf Club review
An Ecco press trip launching the new Biom Hybrid 3 shoes.
We played The Dutch after visiting Ecco’s leather processing plant in Dongen.
Where is The Dutch Golf Club?
The Dutch Golf Club is located in central Holland about 30 miles east of Rotterdam.
The course was designed by Colin Montgomerie and opened in 2010. It was in contention to host the 2018 Ryder Cup which was eventually awarded to Le Golf National in Paris.
It also plays host to the KLM Open on the European Tour.
The Dutch is a fully private members course so you’ll need to know a member at the very least to have any hope of getting a round in here.
It has all the hallmarks of a modern ‘stadium course’ similar to Le Golf National, the 2010 at Celtic Manor and Bro Hof Slott in Sweden where we also visited recently.
What to expect
Heineken on tap in the locker room. Exceptional practice facilities and a real feeling of prestige throughout the impressive venue.
As with all the courses mentioned above, there’s lots and lots of water. A very common occurrence with this type of course. Why? Well there’s obviously a need to make these courses difficult to test the world’s best players.
But with events like the Ryder Cup in mind, I feel these courses try and add as much potential drama as possible.
But when you have water in play on all but one or two holes is the drama of lost tee shot not lost a bit by the time you get to business end of the round?
This course isn’t short either. And if you have 35-40mph winds like on the day we played it makes for a really tough test.
Favourite hole
There are lots of excellent holes at The Dutch and credit to the design team for creating such course on what looks like it would have just been a barren piece of farmland.
My favourite was the par-5 13th, mainly for the approach the elevated green which really made it stand out and offered something different than carry over water!
My best bit
Making a solid 5 on the 13th after going in two bunkers. My drive found the sand on the left of the fairway where I was able to lay-up to about 200 yards.
My third – as good a 3 hybrid I can hit – was a foot shy of pitching on the green and rolled back into the front left bunker.
An uncharacteristic up and down gave me a very pleasing double-sandy par.
What to look out for at The Dutch Golf Club
There are a few sneaky bit of water which are often out of sight. Take extra care when laying up on par-5s and consult the course map regularly to find your ideal landing spots.
When I go back
I’ll hope for still and warm weather conditions – this course is hard enough without a three club wind.
This course should be lots of fun and at times it was as when it’s good it’s really good.
More information can be found on The Dutch’s website.
Played by NCG: Le Golf National
Played by NCG: Bro Hof Slott (Stadium)
Played by NCG: Hillsborough
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
