No, you do not need to speak Dutch to learn golf here. I teach in English every week, and my new students come from all over the world. This is one of the easiest sports to start when you move to the Netherlands, and Utrecht is a lovely place to do it. Let me walk you through it, step by step.
Do I need to speak Dutch to take golf lessons near Utrecht?
You do not. Golf in the Netherlands is very English-friendly. Almost every instructor and club staff member speaks fluent English, so booking a tee time or asking a question on the first tee is simple. I have heard the same story many times from newcomers: they arrive nervous about the language, and within one lesson they forget it was ever a worry.
I teach in English, Dutch, Ukrainian and Russian. So if English is also not your first language, that is completely fine. We find the words together. Golf is mostly feeling anyway — grip, balance, a good swing. I can show you those in any language.
What is the GVB — and do I need one as an expat?
The GVB is the Dutch golf proficiency certificate — the Golfvaardigheidsbewijs. Most courses ask for it before you play on your own, because it shows you can play safely and know the etiquette. It has three parts: a theory test on rules and etiquette, your golf technique (tee shots, approach shots, a bunker shot, putting), and a short playing test over four holes.
Good news for you: the theory exam is offered in English, not only Dutch. The federation made it this way on purpose, so internationals are welcome. Once you pass, your GVB counts as Handicap 54 in the World Handicap System, and it is valid at NGF courses across Europe. Since 2021 you carry it digitally in the Golf.NL app on your phone — no paper card to lose.
Already have a handicap from your home country? Then you do not need to sit the Dutch exam again. A WHS or EGA handicap transfers straight into the Dutch system through a club. You bring your golf life with you.
Most people are ready for the GVB after around six hours of lessons with a qualified pro. That is not a lot. A few focused sessions and you are on your way. If you want to understand the full path, my guide on how to start golf in the Netherlands lays it out from your very first swing.
Where can I take English-speaking golf lessons near Utrecht?
With me — Marina Romanik, a PGA-certified instructor based right here in Utrecht. I teach at two places: Chi Chi Golf in the city (Gageldijk 1) and Golfschool Hoenderdaal in Driebergen, about fifteen minutes away in the wooded Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Lessons run from €35 for 30 minutes to €65 for a full hour, and I keep groups small — four people maximum — so you get real attention.
At Hoenderdaal we go onto the real course early. You are not stuck on a mat for weeks. Feeling the grass under your feet is the fastest way to fall in love with the game.
You can see the full options on my pricing page , and if you want to know what your first hour will actually feel like, I wrote a whole guide on your first golf lesson .
What is Chi Chi Golf and why is it perfect for beginner expats?
Chi Chi Golf is a modern, relaxed golf venue in Utrecht, and honestly it is my favourite place to send a nervous first-timer. No membership. No experience needed. No pressure at all. You get indoor and outdoor bays, a young and friendly crowd, and a social atmosphere that feels more like a night out than a strict golf club.
Many expats tell me the same thing after their first hour at Chi Chi: “I thought golf was serious and stiff — this was just fun.” That is exactly the point. We start with fun. Technique comes right after, and it comes fast.
Can golf help me meet people and settle into life in the Netherlands?
Yes, and this surprises people. Sport clubs here are real social hubs — clubhouses, a bar, a terrace, regular events. For a newcomer, that is gold. You meet Dutch people and other internationals at the same table, and a round of golf gives you four hours to actually talk.
Golf is deeply rooted here too. The Dutch federation was founded in 1914, so this is over a century of golf culture, with clear steps for every beginner. You are not inventing your own path. You are joining one that already works.
How do I get on a real course for the first time?
Easier than you think. With more than 250 courses in the country, and 22 in Utrecht province alone, you have plenty of choice close to home. Many are pay-and-play, which means you book a round for the day without any membership. Some even welcome players before they have a handicap.
While you work toward your Handicap 54, a club can give you baanpermissie — a course-permission pass for that one course, so you can play there supervised and get comfortable before your full handicap. A UK golfer who spent a week touring Dutch courses called it one of the best-value golf trips he had ever taken, and named Utrecht de Pan among the finest courses he had played anywhere. That quality sits right on your doorstep.
Curious what all of this costs before you commit? My guide on the cost to start golf in the Netherlands breaks down lessons, gear and green fees honestly, and do I need my own clubs? answers the question every beginner asks first.
So, moving to Utrecht and thinking about golf? Come and try it. Bring your questions and your nerves — I have seen them all, and they never last past the first good shot. When you are ready, book a lesson with me and let’s get you onto the course. I would love to meet you there.