33 - The Links Valley

Location: Ermelo, Netherlands

Rating: 7.6

The Links Valley is the first reversible golf course in Europe, set in the heart of a forest an hour east of Amsterdam. By reversible all holes are playable in both directions. Under the clubhouse you can see both a tee box and a green and on different days you play in different directions and on the odd occasion you can play in both ways. Sadly the day we played was not one of them.

The clubhouse is nestled at the top of the hill and with views over the first and some of the surrounding holes you get a true appreciation of how nice the course is despite only being 9 holes. The first hole funnels through a valley dog-legging to the right and then is followed by a similar hole in the 2nd with two beautiful elevated tee boxes. You then continue to work up towards the top of the hill with a lovely mix of holes offering changes in height, direction and a good challenge.

It really is a top tier course for just being 9 holes, the fairways were lush, the greens were great and you could tell extensive thought had gone into the bunkering.

The hospitality was great as well, I try collect ball markers from most of the courses I go to and the lady in the shop was kind enough to give me one free of charge off a pitch mark repairer as there weren’t any ball markers lying around.