Golfers' rating
8.3/10
Based on 397 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
Heathland among the hunebedden
Golfclub Havelte is an 18-hole heathland course in the southwest of Drenthe, laid out in 1986 to a design by Michiel van der Vaart. It plays to a par of 73 and sits inside the Holtingerveld nature area, between the villages of Havelte and Uffelte. This is the kind of ground where sheep graze near the fairways, the Uffelterzand rolls in gentle sand ridges, and prehistoric hunebedden — the ancient megalithic stones Drenthe is famous for — stand within walking distance. There is even a small Finnish lake on the land.
Golfers rate it warmly. On LeadingCourses it holds 8.2 out of 10 from 328 ratings, and on Hole19 it scores 4.4 out of 5 from 69 (checked 26 September 2026). Those are steady numbers that point to a course people enjoy and come back to. Heathland golf like this rewards a tidy, thoughtful game more than raw power: the heather and the natural terrain ask you to place the ball, not only to hit it far.
Suits: it is a real par-73 test for players who already carry a handicap, and at the same time the club opens its doors to beginners and juniors. There is an on-site golf academy with lessons, and a dedicated junior programme, so a family or a newer golfer feels at home here while a stronger player gets a full round in beautiful nature.
Playing here as a visitor
Visitors are welcome with an introduction from a member, and a valid handicap (GVB or equivalent) is required. You can book a tee time online through the club’s website, which makes planning simple, and the green fees are friendly: €30 for 9 holes and €40 for 18. Practice is well looked after too. A covered driving range, a putting green, a short-game area and practice bunkers let you warm up properly, or spend a quiet hour sharpening one part of your game. The clubhouse has a restaurant and a terrace, the course is wheelchair accessible, and it stays open year-round.
The course
18
Holes
73
Par
1986
Founded
Heathland
Type
★ Suits: handicap golfers who enjoy heathland challenges and natural terrain, beginners and juniors building their game through the club academy, and families looking for year-round golf in beautiful Drenthe.
Facilities
- Driving range
- Putting green
- Short-game area
- Practice bunkers
- Golf academy
- Clubhouse & restaurant
- Buggy rental
- Club rental
- Wheelchair accessible
Marina's note for learners
Heathland golf rewards placement over power — I focus on consistent ball striking and a calm short game with anyone heading into the heather for the first time. The club's own academy is a great place to build those skills before tackling a full par-73 round.
Ratings
What other golfers say
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Ratings from public sources — tap a name to see it. · checked 2026-09-26
See the course from the air
Golf.nl filmed this course. Press play to fly over the holes before you book your round — nothing loads from YouTube until you do.
Golf.nl · Test flight 2016
Testflight: Golfclub Havelte
Play video · privacy-friendly playerA round that rewards control
A par-73 heathland course like Havelte asks for a repeatable swing and smart placement far more than distance. The heather punishes a wild ball, and the reward goes to whoever can find the fairway again and again. That control, and a calm short game around these greens, is exactly the part of golf I most love to teach.
Good to know
Do I need a handicap to play at Golfclub Havelte?
Yes — a valid GVB card or equivalent handicap certificate is required. Visitors are welcome with an introduction from a member, so contact the club at info@golfclubhavelte.nl or call 0521-342200 to arrange yours before you travel.
How much is a green fee?
Green fees are €30 for 9 holes and €40 for 18 holes — very reasonable for a well-rated heathland course in Drenthe.
Can I book a tee time online?
Yes, online tee-time booking is available through the club's website at golfclubhavelte.nl, so you can plan your round well in advance.
Is Golfclub Havelte suitable for beginners or junior golfers?
Yes. The club has an on-site golf academy with lessons, a dedicated junior programme, and welcomes newer players. The 18-hole heathland layout is a real challenge, but the academy gives beginners and juniors a clear path to build their game in a beautiful natural setting.
Is the course open year-round, and is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes to both. Golfclub Havelte is open throughout the year and is wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy the heathland, sheep, and prehistoric hunebedden on the doorstep.
Can Marina Romanik give me a golf lesson at Golfclub Havelte?
Marina teaches at Chi Chi Golf in Utrecht and at Golfschool Hoenderdaal in Driebergen — not at Havelte. A lesson at either location is a great way to sharpen your placement and short game before tackling a par-73 heathland round like this one.
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