Golfers' rating
8.3/10
Based on 654 public ratings on LeadingCourses and Hole19
Aggregated from public ratings by other golfers — not Marina's own score.
Review by Marina Romanik PGA-certified golf instructor Compiled from the club's own information and online ratings by other golfers · checked
Eighteen holes in the forest
Golfbaan Haviksoord in Leende, Noord-Brabant, has a story you can read in every fairway. From the club’s own description, the whole 18-hole course was laid out inside an existing forest, using the natural landscape instead of clearing it away. That gives it a calm, woodland character: trees frame the holes, and the round asks you to place the ball rather than simply hit it far. The club has been open since 1976, so the trees have had decades to grow into the course.
Golfers seem to feel the same way about it. On LeadingCourses it holds 8.1 out of 10 from 549 ratings, and on Hole19 it scores 4.6 out of 5 from 105 ratings. Those are warm, steady numbers from a lot of people, and they match what you would expect from a mature forest course that rewards thoughtful play.
Who does it suit best? This is a challenging woodland course, so it will make experienced golfers happy first: players who enjoy shaping shots between the trees and thinking their way around. For a newer golfer it is a lovely goal to work toward. The narrow, tree-lined lines reward accuracy over raw distance, which is exactly the kind of golf that is satisfying to grow into.
Playing as a visitor
Haviksoord is an introduction club, which means guests are welcome when a member brings them along. A valid handicap is required to play. The visitor green fee is €47 for 9 holes and €79 for 18, and because of the introduction rule it is best to arrange your round with the club in advance by phone or email.
On site there is a golf academy, plus a restaurant, a bar and a terrace, so after your round among the trees there is a comfortable place to sit and talk through the holes you just played.
The course
18
Holes
1976
Founded
Woodland
Type
★ Suits: experienced golfers who enjoy accurate, tree-lined play; improving players building shot-shaping and course-management skills.
Facilities
- Golf academy
- Clubhouse & restaurant
Marina's note for learners
Woodland courses reward placement over power, so I focus on swing control and shot-shaping before a student takes on a forest layout like this — those skills turn a demanding round into a genuinely satisfying one.
Ratings
What other golfers say
Ratings from public sources — tap a name to see it. · checked 2026-09-26
Accuracy over distance
Haviksoord rewards the golfer who can keep the ball in play between the trees, so a repeatable, controlled swing matters here far more than power. That control is the part I most enjoy teaching, because it turns a challenging forest course from something to survive into something to truly enjoy.
Good to know
Do I need a handicap to play at Golfbaan Haviksoord?
Yes — a valid handicap (EGA/NGF) is required to play the course. Haviksoord is also an introduction club, meaning guests visit when accompanied by a member, so contact the club in advance by phone (+31 (0)40 2061818) or email (info@haviksoord.nl) to arrange your round.
How much is the green fee?
The visitor green fee is €79 for 18 holes or €47 for 9 holes. Call or email the club to confirm current rates and tee-time availability.
Is the course suitable for beginners?
Haviksoord is a challenging 18-hole woodland course that rewards accurate, controlled play — a wonderful goal to work toward. A series of lessons before your first visit will help you enjoy the tree-lined fairways and get the most from this mature forest layout.
Is there a restaurant at the club?
Yes — Golfbaan Haviksoord has a restaurant, a bar and a terrace on site. After your round among the trees, it is a comfortable place to sit and talk through the holes you just played.
How do I get there from Utrecht?
The club is about 90 minutes by car from Utrecht. The address is Maarheezerweg Noord 11, 5595 XG Leende, Noord-Brabant. Parking is available on site.
Can I book a golf lesson with Marina Romanik?
Absolutely — Marina Romanik is a PGA-certified instructor who teaches golfers of every level at Chi Chi Golf in Utrecht and Golfschool Hoenderdaal in Driebergen. A lesson focused on swing control and shot-shaping is the best preparation for a demanding woodland course like Haviksoord.
About this review
Compiled by Marina Romanik, PGA, from the club's own information and public ratings by other golfers — not from a visit. Checked .
Manager of this club? If anything is out of date or missing, send a correction