(671) avis de Leonard

Kromme Rijn has done a lot of renovations lately, at the 1st hole the left side is improved. On the third hole the tee's are elevated same at the 6th. The design has been done by Michiel vd Vaart but the actual shaping by Chris, one of the best shapers in the Netherlands who also worked at Bernardus. The changes are still settling in but they are definitely making the cou… Plus

Lage Vuursche plays a lot longer and tougher than it initially looks. This Kyle Phillips design was built almost 25 years ago on a very nice property in the woods close to Den Dolder. When we played the maintenance (especially the greens) was not that great. It is always hard to guess the reason but it was a pity that the very nice starter or somebody else at the club did… Plus

This time we unfortunately did not have time to play Vallière before playing Le Grand Parcours but we did have a quick walk and look there. As always the holes look amazing. We played a shotgun start on Le Grand Parcours and we had to start on the iconic par 3 13th hole, with a huge pine tree in the middle, started with a par so that was great. Normally I'm not really a… Plus

Paris International Golf Club is a private club just north of Paris. Designed by Jack Nicklaus Design it has big bunkers and nice left to right holes. The front nine is very different of the back nine. The first 9 are quite open and nice to play. The back nine are quite undulated, tight with beautiful big trees but sometimes a bit penal. Also in my opinion the difference … Plus

We were playing a tournament with the NVGJ (Dutch Association of Golfing Journalists) on a beautiful day in May. The course is designed by Michiel vd Vaart and in my opinion one of his best courses (that I have played) so far. The tee shots look quite intimidating with bunkers everywhere, but when you look at the course guide and use your range finder you can plot your … Plus

Played Royal Limburg (or Houthalen as we always call it) on a invitational tournament of one of the Leading Courses Ambassadors. We were very lucky with the weather, half hour after we were in the clubhouse the rain started heavily. What I really like about Houthalen is the playability of the course, meaning that if you miss a fairway or a green it is not super penal, t… Plus

I played the 18 holes last Wednesday in a match play tournament on a typical Dutch spring day (lots of rain). We had a nice time on the course all though the amount of geese and their droppings everywhere sometimes was too much. You almost needed a broom to clean your putting line. But I'm sure it is hard to do anything against this. The big course is not super long but… Plus

Played the par 3 course and the C-loop on a very rainy day. The par-3 course that has been recently finished by designer Alan Rijks and is definitely an example of the 2.0 par 3 courses that are recently being built. They are great to play for beginners, look like proper full size courses and the greens are a bit more challenging so also a lot of fun for the more experien… Plus

I played Portmarnock Hotel Links a couple of years ago, a nice new course designed by Bernard Langer. If Hotel & Links is family it would be the grandson to the grandfather Portmarnock GC. When you enter the clubhouse and see all the silver trophee's, the wooden boards with famous names from now and then, really very impressive. The reception is really friendly also in … Plus

When you drive to Barlassina with a navigation app, take Waze instead of Apple or Google Maps because they send you to far that is a dead end. When you finally reach the gates you realise that, like a lot of Italian, this club used to be members only. Luckily that has changed and Barlassina is a really nice course to play. The maintenance and service of the caddy master… Plus

Villa d'Este was established in 1926 and will celebrate their centenary in 2 years. Everything about this club radiates class. The amazing club house just throws you back a century, with the logo'd pillows and beautiful wooden floors. The croissants are probably the best I have ever had outside of France and I don't even have to mention the quality of the cappuccino. I … Plus

Biella is a traditional members club that recently started opening up for visitors. The clubhouse is really nice with an excellent restaurant and very friendly staff. The caddy master was also very nice, the course is quite undulated so I would advice to take a buggy. The course is not super long (from Yellow) but with the many doglegs you need to be precise of the tee … Plus

Playing all 27 holes on the 9th Leading Courses Ambassador trip at Albenza was one of the highlights, I have been here twice before and then played Blue & Yellow. This time we started with Red, a quite technical 9 holes course with great maintenance lik the other 2 loops but it misses a bit the championship vibe you get on Blue & Yellow. Then we had a great pasta carbon… Plus

As many other users say there is a big difference between the front and the back nine. The first are pretty tight and in between the houses, also many trees can be blocking your shots. It is very challenging and technical where keeping the ball in play is key! I really loved the little putting/chipping green between the trees at first tee. The second nine starts next to… Plus

Les Bordes is really 'Hors Categorie' meaning hard to fit into a ranking with normal clubs. The private nature and subsequent budget makes it one of the best golf-experiences in the world. With the addition of the New Course and the 10 par 3 holes of the Wild Piglet I think it has made a giant stride in attracting different kinds of players. Also the investments in real e… Plus

We played the Groesbeekse Oost-Noord with the NVGJ on a beautiful day. To start with a par 3 is always a bit stressful but we managed to make a par. The second hole at Oost tempted me to go for the green, bad idea so I would advise a iron on the fairway and a wedge into the pretty undulated green. Both loops are pretty hilly, walkable but for golfers who are not super m… Plus

Played The International on a very rainy day but while we were playing it was actually dry almost the whole time. So this way there were only 3 flights in the course and we had a great time. I always like the International because it is hard for making birdies and par's but when you miss a green even as a bogey player you still have a decent chance for an up & down. Wha… Plus

Golf-und Land-Club Köln is an old school classical woodland course, designed by Bernhard von Limburger, when you play there you could easily think you are playing a Colt course in Surrey. Beautiful lush green fairways and old tall pine trees. Elevated greens with snow white bunkers (filled with grounded quartz) make this course a joy to play. Just a few strategically pl… Plus

Villamartin is the oldest (1972) Golf Course in the region, designed by Robert Putman (also the designer of La Cala and really feels as a city course. It gave me a bit of the same vibes as Sant Cugat in Barcelona. The course has a lot of trees, is quite undulated and there are several blind shots. The greens where in really good shape and true to play. The driving range… Plus

La Finca is located about 40 minutes by car from Alicante airport and once you get there you don't have to go anywhere else. The hotel with 120 rooms has been so well refurbished that I personally thought it was brand new, spacious rooms with enormous beds and super friendly staff. The course has been improved a lot lately, it is quite long a little over 6000 meters fro… Plus