Golfing holidays in southern Belgium

Located in the heart of Europe in Belgium, Wallonia is the perfect destination for a golf break.

The French-speaking region of Wallonia south of Brussels has always had a strong golfing heritage - various forms of games resembling golf were played as early as the 14th century by sportsmen in Belgium, notably “chole”, which is still played there, and, so it is said, introduced the first tee - so it should come as no surprise that it offers excellent golfing facilities, with some 30 clubs located within a two-hour drive of the Belgian capital Brussels.


Add to this the relatively mild weather throughout most of the year, the close proximity of the clubs to one another and the extremely affordable green fees, and it is easy to see why the area has steadily been gaining a reputation as an alternative must-do destination for golfers.

Located in the heart of Europe bordering France, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg, Wallonia has all the attributes of a perfect destination for short or longer golf breaks, and you can be on a Belgian golf course within a few hours of leaving your front door, allowing ample time to mix and match your golfing experience with the fantastic gastronomy, wonderful landscapes, and picturesque medieval towns of Wallonia.

Access to the destination could not be easier. It is possible to fly to Brussels with a number of airlines, or to reach the heart of Wallonia directly via Charleroi Airport, from Dublin, Shannon and Prestwick with Ryanair. Alternative routes via Brussels involve the trouble-free journey on Eurostar, and for golfers who prefer to take their own cars, there are fast, frequent services via Eurotunnel or the cross-Channel ferries, and an excellent network of toll-free motorways which runs through the whole of southern Belgium.

And contrary to popular belief, the southern half of Belgium is distinctly hilly in parts, which makes for some challenging courses, as well as some beautiful scenery and stunning panoramic views.

Immediately south of Brussels, the Province of Brabant Wallon has the highest concentration of golf clubs in Belgium, with 14 quality courses within a 25km radius. Golfers can play a selection of these by staying in Brussels, or around Waterloo, which possesses one of Europe's top 200 courses, and the oldest club in the country, the Hawtree-designed (father, and then son) Royal Golf Club de Waterloo. Nearby Chateau de La Tournette offers two superb 18-hole challenges, the American course by Bill Amick, and the English course by Martin Hawtree and Peter Alliss, while Sept Fontaines has two different 18-hole courses: Le chateau and La Foret, plus a nine-hole course known as Le Parc.

The nearby Province of Hainaut also offers golfers the chance to play on some excellent courses. The Mont Garni, designed by Tom McAuley on a 300-acre estate consists of three six-hole loops of championship standard, while Pierpont is an 18-hole par 72-championship inland links course. The Royal Golf du Hainaut considered one of the best golf courses in northern Europe has courses created by Simpson and Hawtree.
The gateway to the stunning Belgian Ardennes is the Province of Namur, which makes for hilly courses such as the 18-hole Rougemont with its spectacular views of the Meuse valley. A very technical course with numerous bunkers, it requires high-precision play. The Château Royal d’Ardenne, that occupies part of the grounds of a 19th-century castle, was for a time the favourite course of the Belgian royal family. It is one of the hilliest in the region with mature trees lining many of the fairways. Another cracking course is the Five Nations Golf Club. Designed by Gary Player, it also uses the natural terrain to its best advantage, forcing players to raise their game.

The easternmost Province of Liège is the only one to boast two royal courses, both designed by Tim Simpson. The Royal Golf des Fagnes, a beautiful parkland course dating back to the 1920s, is nestled in unspoilt woods and fens. It is rated among the top 100 courses in mainland Europe. The Royal Sart Tilman, set in superb wooded countryside, also offers a real golfing challenge, while within a short drive of the town of Spa lies the magnificent Henri-Chapelle Golf Course, overlooking the panoramic views of the Ardennes and of the Eifel Plateau, which offers excellent facilities for golfers of all levels.

Situated deep in the heart of the Ardennes, in the Province of Luxembourg, the most southern in Belgium, the Blue Green Durbuy is only three hours drive from Calais and 10 minutes away from Durbuy, the smallest town in the world. Its setting is exceptionally beautiful — and challenging. Each of the fairways of the Fred Hawtree designed nine-hole and 18-hole courses weaves up and down deep hollows and thickly wooded slopes, eventually leading to a high-quality green.

And one of the most charming aspects of many of these courses are the old club houses, transformed from old farmhouses and chateaux, some dating back to the 14th century, where, as you would expect from this friendly region, all visitors are welcomed with open arms and a local beer!