Belgium hides a run of classic golf out of all proportion to its size: Harry Colt by the North Sea, three Tom Simpson designs in the woods around Brussels, and a clutch of historic royal clubs. Here are the ten courses we would build a Belgian golf trip around.
Our ranking puts the quality and pedigree of the design first, then history, condition and the wider experience. Belgium's strength lies in its golden age architecture, the Harry Colt links by the sea at Knokke and the Tom Simpson parklands around Brussels, so the classics lead our list, with the best of the modern courses noted behind them. The verdicts are ours; the championship and design histories we cite are a matter of record.
Many of the finest Belgian courses are private royal clubs that welcome visitors with a member's introduction or through a tour operator, so access is worth planning ahead. The leading courses cluster in two areas, the North Sea coast around Knokke and the wooded country south and east of Brussels, both within easy reach of the capital and its airport.
Reviewed June 2026 by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and fees verified at publication. How we research and review.
From the Harry Colt links on the North Sea to the Tom Simpson parklands of the Brussels woods, ranked with our verdicts and the reasons to play each one.
Belgium's number one and a Harry Colt design from 1909 by the North Sea at Knokke, described by Nick Faldo as a hidden gem. A handsome, breezy course of around 6,200 yards with a classic British links flavour, firm turf and clever greens, it is the standout round in the country and the natural centrepiece of a coastal trip.
The oldest golf club in Belgium, founded in 1888, with a course originally laid out by Willie Park Junior in 1913 and redesigned by Tom Simpson in 1930. A heathland and woodland gem regarded as one of continental Europe's architectural delights, it is a connoisseur's course full of strategic subtlety.
Known simply as Ravenstein, the royal club in the Forest of Soignes near Brussels was founded in 1906 and redesigned by the flamboyant Tom Simpson. A mature, tree lined parkland of great pedigree on the royal estate, it has long been among the most important and prestigious courses in the country.
The La Marache course at Royal Waterloo, south of Brussels near the famous battlefield, is one of Fred Hawtree's finest designs, sympathetically updated by his son. A strong, well wooded championship parkland that has hosted professional events, it is a benchmark test in the Brussels cluster.
A Tom Simpson layout from 1933 near Mons, with later work by the Hawtree family, offering twenty seven holes of classic parkland golf. Less heralded than the royal clubs near Brussels but full of golden age character, it is a rewarding stop in the country's southwest.
Set in the wooded hills above the spa town that gave the world the word, this is one of the oldest and most scenic clubs in Belgium, a hilly parkland of great charm. A relaxed, characterful round amid the Ardennes, ideal paired with a wellness break in Spa itself.
A well regarded twenty seven hole parkland in the Limburg province, long and well conditioned, that has featured in national rankings and hosted professional golf. A modern counterpoint to the historic royal clubs and a strong test for the better player.
A large modern golf resort south of Brussels with two championship eighteens and a nine hole short course, set around a chateau and lake. Polished and accessible, with no member's introduction required, it is one of the easiest leading courses to play and a useful base for a Brussels trip.
A Robert Trent Jones design in the rolling country east of Brussels, more American in style than the golden age classics, with water and bold bunkering. A well kept and enjoyable members' parkland that adds variety to the Brussels cluster.
One of Belgium's better modern public courses in the Limburg region, generous and well designed, that has hosted professional events. Easy to access and play, it rounds out the list as a contemporary option for visitors who want quality golf without the formalities of the royal clubs.
Belgian golf plays from spring to autumn, with the best conditions from April to October. Green fees are moderate by western European standards, though many of the leading clubs are private and ask for a member's introduction or a tour operator booking, particularly at weekends. The resort and public courses are the simplest to arrange for a visiting golfer.
| Course | Type | Indicative green fee |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Zoute, Championship | Links | €120 to €160 |
| Royal Antwerp | Heathland | €100 to €150 |
| Ravenstein | Parkland | €100 to €150 |
| Royal Waterloo, La Marache | Parkland | €90 to €130 |
| Chateau de la Tournette | Resort | €70 to €110 |
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Belgium's best golf divides between the North Sea coast around Knokke, home to Royal Zoute, and the wooded country around Brussels, where Ravenstein, Royal Waterloo and the rest cluster within half an hour of the city. Brussels airport sits in the middle of it all, and the country is compact enough to combine both areas in a short trip by car.
Plan for April to October for the best conditions, and arrange access to the private royal clubs well in advance, as many require a member's introduction or a booking through a tour operator, especially at weekends. We can secure the tee times, handle the introductions and build the itinerary around the courses you most want to play.
Royal Zoute's Championship course at Knokke, a Harry Colt links from 1909 by the North Sea, is widely regarded as the best in Belgium. The heathland at Royal Antwerp and the Tom Simpson parkland at Ravenstein near Brussels lead the chasing group.
The golden age greats shaped Belgian golf: Harry Colt designed Royal Zoute, and Tom Simpson laid out or redesigned Royal Antwerp, Ravenstein and Royal Hainaut. The Hawtree family, including Fred Hawtree at Royal Waterloo, and Robert Trent Jones at Royal Bercuit add later classics.
Indicative 2026 high season green fees run from around 70 euros at resort and public courses to 120 to 160 euros at Royal Zoute and the leading royal clubs. Weekday rates are lower. Always confirm directly before booking.
Several of the leading clubs are private and ask visitors for a member's introduction or a booking through a tour operator, particularly at weekends. Resort and public courses such as Chateau de la Tournette and Millennium Golf are the simplest to arrange independently.
April to October offers the best conditions, with summer the peak. The courses cluster around the North Sea coast and Brussels, both easy to reach from Brussels airport, so a short trip can combine the seaside links at Knokke with the parklands of the capital.
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