Why Play Golf In Belgium?

Belgium Isn’t an obvious choice to take a golfing holiday but for those who have already discovered it its proved a worthwhile experience and is a destination that they regularly return to. If you Google ‘What is Belgium famous for?’ then Waffles, Chocolate and Beer are at the forefront of virtually every list. There are very few lists that include it as a golfing destination which is a real shame as it has some great golf courses, excellent hotels, a vibrant night life and an interesting heritage which is well worth exploring. When you include the Waffles, Chocolate and the Beer then its definitely worth considering for your next golfing break.

Why Play In Belgium On Your Next Golfing Break?

From the UK its easy to get to via the Eurotunnel and you can be on the golf course in a very short space of time from leaving home.  There is a great variety of golf available from links to parkland and at prices that will suit all pockets.

Although there are courses spread throughout the Country the area round Bruges and Brussels are the ideal places to base yourself as you can easily reach the coastal golf courses to experience links golf and there are some extremely good parkland courses just a short distance away and Bruges is a great city to explore. Bruges offers everything you need for a golfing holiday and if you want to combine a little bit of sight seeing with golf its perfect. There is accommodation from 3 to 5 star and as you would expect from one of Europe’s most visited cities there are so many restaurants and bars to appeal to all tastes and pockets.

Brussels is the countries capital and home to the European Union and as in most capital cities there are more then enough places to eat and drink and numerous forms of entertainment to while away the evenings. It is well worth a trip to visit the Waterloo area even if you are not a history buff as its one of the most important historical sites in the history of Europe and it is situated in one of the countries most picturesque areas with excellent golf courses to play on.

So with great beer, chocolate, waffles, great accommodation and really good golf courses, Belgium is well worth considering for your next golfing break.

What Is The Best Way To Travel To Belgium?

Apart from great golf courses one of the advantages of golfing in Belgium is just how easy it is to get there. There are several different methods you can choose depending on whereabouts you live in the UK.

The Eurotunnel operates from St. Pancras Station to Brussels ten times a day and with prices starting from £29 it’s a very economical way of travelling. In about two hours you will be in the centre of Brussels having enjoyed a relaxing trip in comfort and with excellent food and drink available on board. Once you have got to Brussels there are several golf courses within easy taxi distance away so you don’t have any concerns in finding the golf courses yourself. If you are going to Bruges then again you go from St. Pancras Station to Brussels and change there for Bruges and prices start from around £35 one way. If you want to upgrade your ticket then you can do that to whats known as a Standard Premier which is a little more luxurious and includes a meal.

If you have a little more time and want more than just a golf break, then why not go by ferry. They operate from Hull to Zeebrugge and the big advantage of them is that you can take your car with you. If you go on the overnight ferry is like being on a mini cruise with many of the facilities you would expect from a much larger ship. From the South of England, you take the ferry to the north of France and then its just a short hop across the border.

If you want to get there the quickest way is by plane flying into Brussels. Flights go from most regional airports and are usually reasonably cheap in comparison with other forms of transportation. Once in Brussels you can either stay in the Capital and use taxis to get to the golf courses or you cah get a hire car.

If you are happy to drive, then the Eurotunnel is by far the best option. They start at Folkestone and drop you in Calais from where you can drive across the border. In just over two hours you can be in the centre of Brussels and if you are heading to Bruges its even quicker being about an hour and a half. If there are four of you travelling it becomes very cost effective.

Finally, for the totally cost conscious and if you have plenty of time you can even travel by coach and with prices starting from £14 you cant get there cheaper other than by hitchhiking!

With all these different ways of getting to Belgium its no surprise that more and more golfers are discovering Belgium as a great golfing holiday destination.

Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Belgium?

Once you have decided to visit Belgium it’s a question of which area suits you best. There are two main areas both of which offer excellent bases for a great golfing holiday. Brussels is the capital and as you would expect there is a great choice of accommodation available to suit all pockets. The four-star Martins Brussels EU hotel offers excellent value for money and is ideal for a golfing break.

The Martins Brussels EU hotel is centrally located within walking distance of the Cities tourist attractions and the Commercial district. It’s a modern Hotel with contemporary furnishings and it offers all the facilities you would expect from such a property. The onsite restaurant is well known for the number of different types of fillings you can get in their waffles and as they have their own fitness club you can indulge yourself and get rid of the excess calories later.

There are numerous very good golf courses within easy travelling distance of Brussels and if you played at Pierpont, Mont Garni or Enghienyou will be very happy with the standard of golf at any of these courses.

If you prefer to stay in Bruges that would be understandable as its one of Europe’s must visit cities. Steeped in history there is so much to see you will find it hard to fit golf in! Often referred to as the Venice of the North it’s been designated a UNESCO World heritage site and the canals, historic buildings are a must see for even the most avid golfer.  As a major tourist destination there are several Hotels that offer excellent value for money and we recommend one of the always reliable Martins Hotels – the Martins Brugge hotel.

Situated in the centre of Bruges, this is probably the leading three-star hotel in the city and it is within walking distance of all the major tourist attractions. The exterior gives the impression of an old-style building but the interior has been skilfully designed to produce a very modern and comfortable Hotel with all the features you would expect of a city centre hotel. In the evening the city comes alive and there are enough bars and restaurants to satisfy all tastes and pockets.

What Are The Best Golf Courses In Belgium?

Assuming you can drag your self from the delights that Brugge has to offer then there are two very good golf courses within 30 minutes’ drive that are well worth looking at. The first of these the Royal Ostend Golf Club is one of Belgium’s oldest courses and is an absolute gem. It’s a links course with several holes running along the cliff side giving spectacular views of the sea and with the normal breeze blowing its both very interesting and challenging. Although its an old design it has been updated and modernised to meet the standards that today’s golfers require.

Damme Golf & Country Club is closer to the city centre being about 15 minutes’ drive away. It’s a real centre for golf with an eighteen-hole championship course and two nine-hole layouts that are ideal for practice or for beginners to play on. The main course has been skilfully designed to blend into the natural rolling landscape and is a visual delight as the holes wind through mature trees and there are streams and lakes to avoid.