Golfclub Cromstrijen (Numansdorp)

Parkland by Tom MacAuley

Golfclub Cromstrijen sits in the open countryside near Numansdorp, in Zuid-Holland. The club lists 27 holes in a parkland setting — three nine-hole loops shaped by course architect Tom MacAuley, so you can mix your round and never play quite the same eighteen twice. Golfers on LeadingCourses give it 8.2 out of 10 from 367 ratings, which tells you people come back happy.

It is a moderate, welcoming layout — the kind of parkland where a fair drive is rewarded and a thoughtful approach matters more than raw power. The club runs its own golf academy with lessons on site, and the practice side is genuinely good: a covered, floodlit driving range, a putting green, a short-game area, and practice bunkers. That mix is why families like it. Cromstrijen welcomes juniors warmly and has a dedicated junior programme, so children can build the right habits from their very first swing.

Suits: it is a real all-rounder. Beginners and juniors get proper coaching and space to learn; steadier players get 27 holes with enough variety to stay interesting round after round.

What a visitor needs

Visitors are welcome, but come prepared. The club asks for a valid handicap (GVB or equivalent) and generally an introduction from a member, so it is worth calling ahead — receptie@golfclubcromstrijen.nl or 0186-654455 — to arrange your visit. Green fees sit in the mid range (€€): the club lists roughly €85 for 18 holes and €30 for 9. After your round there is a restaurant to sit and enjoy, and buggy and club rental if you need them.

The part I’d work on first

MacAuley’s parkland rewards a repeatable swing and a tidy approach far more than the longest drive — the fairways ask you to place the ball, not just hit it. That is exactly the kind of golf that is fun to sharpen: a steady tempo and a reliable mid-iron into the green will do more for your card here than an extra ten metres off the tee.