Royal Waterloo
Fred Hawtree carved La Marache out of the wooded Walloon countryside south of Brussels in 1960, and it remains the championship heart of Royal Waterloo. A par 73 of 6,296 meters through mature trees, with greens rebuilt by Martin Hawtree in the 2000s, it is widely rated among the finest courses in Belgium.
Photo: Royal Waterloo Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Royal Waterloo runs three courses on its estate at Ohain, but it is La Marache, the Fred Hawtree design of 1960, that earns the club its reputation. It threads through mature woodland on rolling Brabant ground, a par 73 of 6,296 meters that asks for position off the tee and a steady hand into greens that Martin Hawtree rebuilt to modern standards in 2004 and 2005.
This is classical European parkland at its most polished, a quiet, tree lined test a short drive from the center of Brussels. It has welcomed the Belgian internationals and national championships down the years, and a round here pairs naturally with the other royal clubs of Belgium for a refined, low mileage golf trip. Access is by reservation, so plan ahead.
Royal Waterloo at a glance
- Opened
- 1960
- Designer
- Fred Hawtree
- Type
- Woodland parkland
- Par
- 73
- Yardage
- 6,296 m
- Green fee
- On reservation
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from Royal Waterloo Golf Club and leading course databases. La Marache was designed by Fred Hawtree and opened in 1960, a par 73 of 6,296 meters, with greens rebuilt by Martin Hawtree in 2004 and 2005. Royal Waterloo is a private club that welcomes visitors by reservation; there is no published public green fee, so always confirm the visitor rate and tee availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
La Marache plays through avenues of mature hardwoods on gently rolling ground, so the tee shot is everything. Find the fairway and the course opens up; stray into the trees and par becomes a battle. The corridors are generous enough to swing freely but demand the correct side for the angle in.
The greens are the modern signature, rebuilt by Martin Hawtree to USGA specification in the mid 2000s, firm and true and full of subtle movement. Approach play and pace control decide the round, and the par 3s are a genuinely strong set that can swing a card either way.
At a full par 73 the card offers scoring chances at the par 5s, but only for the player who has driven well and left the right approach. La Marache rewards the thinker over the basher, and finishes through the trees back toward a clubhouse that has watched over Belgian championship golf for decades.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors welcome by reservation seven days a week, generally with a handicap certificate and federation card |
| Green fee | No published public fee; the visitor green fee is arranged on reservation through the secretariat (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve in advance with the club secretariat; weekend access is more limited than weekdays |
| On the day | Present at the secretary's office on arrival; smart golf wear and pace of play expected |
| Getting there | Ohain, Lasne in Walloon Brabant, about 30 minutes south of central Brussels |
| Best months | May to September for the warmest, driest parkland conditions |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Royal Waterloo is private and policies change, so always confirm directly with the club secretariat before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Brussels, a short drive north, where the choice of hotels, dining and culture is as wide as any capital in Europe. The city puts Royal Waterloo and the other clubs of Brabant within easy reach for a relaxed, low mileage golf trip.
For a quieter stay, the green Brabant countryside around Waterloo and Lasne has comfortable country hotels close to the course. It is an easy region to combine with the royal clubs near Antwerp and the Belgian coast, building a multi course tour of the country's best parkland and links.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Royal Waterloo.
Build a Belgium golf trip
We arrange access to Royal Waterloo where reservations allow, pair it with the best of Belgium's royal clubs and book the lodging around your tee times. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Royal Waterloo questions
Who designed Royal Waterloo's La Marache course?
La Marache was designed by the English architect Fred Hawtree and opened in 1960, with the greens later rebuilt by his son Martin Hawtree to USGA standard in 2004 and 2005.
What is the par and length of La Marache?
La Marache is a par 73 measuring 6,296 meters from the back tees, a woodland parkland course on rolling ground at Ohain, south of Brussels.
Can visitors play Royal Waterloo?
Yes, by reservation. Royal Waterloo is a private members club that welcomes visitors through its secretariat, generally with a handicap certificate and federation card. Always confirm access before travelling.
How much does it cost to play Royal Waterloo?
There is no published public green fee; the visitor rate is arranged on reservation through the club secretariat. Always confirm current pricing directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.