Golfclub Rijswijkse (Rijswijk)

Parkland shaped by Donald Steel

Golfclub Rijswijkse is an 18-hole parkland course in Rijswijk, Zuid-Holland, laid out by the British architect Donald Steel and open for play since 1989. It plays to a par of 71 over 5,487 metres, so length is not the whole story here — the round asks for good position and clean contact more than raw power. The style is classic parkland: tree-lined fairways and greens that reward a thoughtful line.

Golfers rate it warmly. On LeadingCourses it holds 8.0 out of 10 across 353 ratings, and on Hole19 it scores 4.3 out of 5 from 106 golfers. Those are steady, real numbers from people who have played the course, and they point to a club that keeps its members and visitors happy.

Rijswijkse is listed as a challenging layout, which makes it a satisfying test for established players who enjoy precision and careful course management. It suits golfers who already have their handicap and want a full round with a bit of bite — and, thanks to the practice ground and academy, it is also a good home for players who are still building their game.

Play as a visitor

You do not need to be a member to play here. Golfclub Rijswijkse is pay-and-play, visitors are welcome, and you can book your tee time online. Bring a valid handicap certificate — the club asks for one. The green fee is €65 for 18 holes and €39.50 for 9, which is fair value for a full parkland course with this kind of upkeep.

Before your round there is plenty to warm up on: a driving range, a putting green, and a short-game area to sharpen the shots that save your score. The club runs its own PGA golf academy, and there is a restaurant with a bar and terrace for after the last hole. Buggies and clubs are available to rent, so you can arrive light and still play a comfortable round.

What the round rewards

Steel built Rijswijkse to reward a repeatable swing and a smart line off the tee, not big hitting. On a parkland course this tree-lined, the golfers who score well are the ones who keep the ball in play and control their distance into the greens. That control — a swing you can trust the same way every time, and the short game to rescue the holes that go sideways — is exactly the part of golf I most enjoy helping players build.