Photo: Ken123 at nl.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Kennemer Golf & Country Club
Zandvoort, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
27 Holes · Par 72 · EUR 157.5–195 · Links
— About
About Kennemer Golf & Country Club
Kennemer Golf and Country Club is the finest golf course in the Netherlands and one of the great Harry Colt designs in continental Europe — a duneland links near Zandvoort that winds through the coastal dune belt of North Holland, just 25 kilometres west of Amsterdam. Colt designed the course in 1927 on terrain that is unique in the Netherlands: tall dune ridges covered in heather, coastal scrub, and mature pine trees, creating a playing experience that feels closer to the heathland courses of Surrey or the links of the North Sea coast than to the flat polder landscape most visitors associate with the country. The course's 27 holes (A, B, and C nines) are arranged in multiple championship configurations, with the standard 18 combining the most challenging and scenic holes from each nine. Kennemer has hosted the Dutch Open on the European Tour multiple times and its testing character — elevated blind tee shots, rolling fairways through pine corridors, and fast, sloping greens — has drawn praise from professionals across generations. The club is strictly private, but visitor days are offered at limited times during the season, and the proximity to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport makes Kennemer accessible for visiting golfers who plan ahead.
- Harry Colt 1927 design — the finest golf course in the Netherlands and one of Colt's great continental works
- Dune and heather terrain 25km west of Amsterdam — uniquely un-Dutch in character for this flat country
- Multiple Dutch Open host — professional-calibre test in one of Europe's most accessible golf destinations
- 27 holes in A/B/C nine configuration — flexible championship layouts with varying course combinations
- Limited visitor days available with advance booking — worth planning around for Amsterdam golf visitors
History of Kennemer Golf & Country Club
Kennemer Golf and Country Club was founded in 1910 and initially played on a modest layout near Zandvoort. Harry Colt was commissioned to design a full 18-hole course in 1927 on the coastal dune terrain that gives the club its distinctive character. Colt — who also designed Muirfield, Rye, and Sunningdale's New Course — recognised the duneland as ideal for links golf and created a routing that uses the natural ridges and hollows with characteristic economy. The Dutch Open has been held at Kennemer multiple times since the 1920s, establishing it as the Netherlands' benchmark professional venue.
Signature holes at Kennemer Golf & Country Club
The par-4 2nd plays from an elevated tee through a narrow gap in the dune ridges to a fairway that disappears behind a large dune — a blind tee shot requiring commitment and trust that rewards the accurate driver. The par-3 14th is the course's finest short hole: playing across a heather-lined valley to a plateau green that slopes away from the player, with the North Sea sand belt framing the background. Throughout the round, Colt's green complexes reward the patient approach rather than the aggressive line.
When to play Kennemer Golf & Country Club
April through October is the season at Kennemer, with May and September particularly pleasant on the Dutch dune coast. The course is 25 kilometres west of Amsterdam and directly accessible by train to Zandvoort followed by a short taxi. Weekend summer days can be busy with Amsterdam day-trippers; weekday rounds offer a quieter experience. The adjacent Circuit Zandvoort (Formula 1) creates noisy Sundays during race weekends.
Playing Kennemer Golf & Country Club: tips
Kennemer is a private club with limited visitor access — contact the club directly for available visitor days. Green fees are not publicly listed; the club operates a formal visitor enquiry process. A handicap certificate is typically required. Visitors combining golf with Amsterdam can easily make a day trip from the city. Smart attire is required throughout the club.
Visit Kennemer Golf & Country Club
Kennemerweg 78, 2042 XT Zandvoort, Netherlands
Zandvoort, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Kennemer Golf & Country Club
Can visitors play Kennemer Golf and Country Club?
Kennemer accepts visitors on designated days — contact the club directly to enquire about availability. A handicap certificate is typically required.
How far is Kennemer from Amsterdam?
The course is approximately 25 kilometres west of Amsterdam — around 30 minutes by train to Zandvoort followed by a short taxi or 10-minute walk.
When was Kennemer Golf Club designed?
Harry Colt designed the course in 1927, using the natural coastal dune terrain to create one of the finest links layouts in continental Europe.
What type of course is Kennemer?
Kennemer is a duneland links — very different from the typical flat Dutch landscape, with dune ridges, heather, and coastal scrub creating a distinctly un-Dutch golf experience.