Brabant Golf

Brabant Golf in Rijen, North Brabant, is a nine-hole, par-27 parkland course of par 3s on the edge of the village, with views over woods and farmland.

Brabant Golf lies on the Statenlaan in Rijen, a village between Breda and Tilburg, and has been around since 1989. The golf club behind it is the Brabant Golf Vereniging, whose members maintain the course entirely as volunteers. Besides the nine holes, Brabant Golf has a driving range, a practice corner with practice holes, a practice green and a chipping area, and a resident golf pro teaches both beginners and experienced players.

All nine holes at Brabant Golf are par 3s, ranging from 62 to 178 metres and adding up to 1,075 metres. The yellow and red tees play the same length. Going round twice turns Brabant Golf into an 18-hole, par-54 course of 2,150 metres. Over 18 holes, the men's course rating from the yellow tees is 51.1 with a slope of 78; for women, the red tees carry a course rating of 53.5 and a slope of 77.

The longest hole at Brabant Golf is the 2nd, a 178-metre par 3 with a fence along both sides of the fairway marking out of bounds. The 7th, a 145-metre par 3, is stroke index 1. The shortest is the 4th, at 62 metres.

Brabant Golf is a small-scale, compact course on flat ground, which, the club says, suits golfers who are less physically able than they once were. In summer it is framed by maize fields and woodland; in winter the view opens up over the woods and farmland. Because the course is so compact, the club asks you not to tee off on any hole until everyone has left the green.

Visitors can play Brabant Golf on a green fee with a handicap of 54 or better; a Dutch golf passport (golfpaspoort) on its own is not enough. There is no need to book a tee time, as the club says you can always play. Nine holes take about an hour to an hour and a half, and 18 holes two and a half to three hours.