New to golf in the Netherlands? You will have a lot of questions, and that is completely normal. The Dutch system has a clear path, and once you understand it, everything feels much easier. Here are the fifteen questions I hear most often from beginners near Utrecht, answered simply.
Do I need to join a golf club before I can start?
No. You do not need to join anything to begin. You start with lessons and a rental set, and that is it. Later, when you want an official handicap but not the cost of a traditional club (roughly €700–1,500 per year), a “virtual” golf club gives you full NGF registration for about €42–64 per year and lets you play courses one round at a time. This is a lovely Dutch option that many people don’t know about — I explain it in the [pay-and-play courses near Utrecht]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/pay-and-play-near-utrecht.md” %}}) guide.
What is a GVB (baanpermissie) and why do I need one?
The GVB (Golfvaardigheidsbewijs) is your golf skills certificate. It shows you know the basic rules and etiquette, and that you can play a hole safely without holding up other players. Since 2021 it lives only inside the free GOLF.NL app — there is no more paper card. Baanpermissie is the first step: a temporary course permission from a PGA pro at one specific course, valid at that course while you build experience. I cover the whole route in the [GVB and handicap pathway]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/golf-handicap-gvb-netherlands.md” %}}) and in detail in [baanpermissie explained]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/baanpermissie-explained.md” %}}).
How do I get my baanpermissie — and how long does it take?
You take lessons with a pro, then show you can play safely. The official NGF Golfstart programme is six one-hour lessons across at least three days, priced at €109, and it ends with course permission. On average people need about ten lessons and thirty hours of practice, but this depends a lot on your sport background and how often you practise. If your calendar is tight, a faster [GVB-in-a-weekend]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/gvb-in-a-weekend.md” %}}) route is possible too. A teaching colleague once calmed a nervous beginner by pointing to all the scuff marks on the practice-bay walls: every mark was made by someone who once stood exactly there, just as unsure. A good pro will never laugh at you. See my own [lesson prices]({{% relref “/pricing” %}}) if you’d like to start with me.
What exactly is in the NGF rules exam?
Thirty multiple-choice questions. Ten are about etiquette, nineteen about the rules of golf, and exactly one about Stableford scoring. You get sixty minutes and need at least 23 correct to pass. You can sit it as a group at a club or on your own any time through the GOLF.NL app. Most beginners tell me the single Stableford question is the sneaky one, so practise a worked example before you go in.
What is handicap 54 and how do I earn it?
Handicap 54 is the entry level of the World Handicap System. You earn it by handing in one qualifying card of at least 36 Stableford points over 18 holes, or at least 19 points over 9 holes, played with a marker who has a registered NGF handicap. That’s it — you are officially a golfer. Read [handicap 54 and how to lower it]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/handicap-54-and-how-to-lower-it.md” %}}) for the next step.
What equipment do I actually need as a complete beginner?
Almost nothing at the start. Most courses rent a set from reception for €10–25, and during lessons the clubs are usually included. When you’re ready to buy, a half-set is plenty for the first months: a hybrid or fairway wood, a 7-iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a putter. New beginner sets run about €150–400, and a good second-hand set from the last few years plays almost the same for much less.
How much does it cost to start golf in the Netherlands?
Less than most people fear. Your main costs are lessons, a rental or starter set, and green fees when you play. One woman told me she paid for full club membership and then hacked around for a whole year with no real lessons — she wished she had started with proper coaching from day one. Start with a few lessons and rental clubs, and you keep the early cost low while learning faster. For the playing side, my [green fees explained]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/green-fees-explained.md” %}}) guide breaks down every price.
What should I wear on a Dutch golf course?
Comfortable and neat. A collared shirt (a polo) is appreciated at most clubs. Ripped jeans, sports shorts and tracksuits are usually not allowed. Regular trainers are fine when you’re starting out, though golf shoes with soft spikes give you better stability and are required inside most clubhouses. Don’t overthink it — nobody expects a fashion show.
How does Stableford scoring work?
You score points against par on each hole. A bogey is 1 point, par is 2, a birdie is 3, and a double bogey or worse is 0. The best part for beginners: when you can no longer score a point on a hole, pick up your ball and walk to the next tee. This keeps the pace up and is exactly what you’re supposed to do. My [NGF and WHS scoring]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/ngf-whs-scoring-netherlands.md” %}}) guide goes deeper.
How do I submit scores and where does my handicap live?
Everything lives in the free GOLF.NL app, on iOS and Android. It holds your digital NGF pass, submits your qualifying scores, tracks your handicap and books tee times — by early 2026 it had passed 461,578 downloads. Your Handicap Index comes from the best 8 of your last 20 scores and is recalculated every day, so it always reflects your current form.
Can I play any Dutch course once I have my baanpermissie?
Not every one, and this surprises many expats. Baanpermissie is accepted at roughly 110 of the country’s ~270 NGF courses. Some clubs ask visitors for a full handicap, even handicap 54. Always call ahead before you book. Once you have your WHS handicap, far more doors open — the friendly [pay-and-play courses near Utrecht]({{% relref “/guides/netherlands-handicap/pay-and-play-near-utrecht.md” %}}) are a great place to start.
How quickly can my handicap go below 54?
Faster than you think, if you practise the right things. A golfer I read about earned a first handicap of 30, then dropped to around 20 in about six months — without playing very often. The turning point was simple: more chipping and putting, less driver on the range. Short game moves your scores more than big drives. I’ve seen it again and again.
How long until I can play a comfortable 18-hole round?
Most adult beginners who take weekly lessons and practise a little between them can enjoy a comfortable 9-hole round within 6–8 weeks. A steady 18-hole round usually comes within 6–12 months. Your body remembers what you repeat, so short, regular practice beats one long tiring session.
What etiquette must I know for my very first round?
Mostly it’s about respect and pace. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your tee time. Start thinking about your shot while others are hitting, and take no more than 30–45 seconds over the ball. On the green, never walk on another player’s putting line. In a bunker, enter from the low side near your ball and rake all your footprints when you leave. One beginner spent years too nervous to play with strangers, then discovered the truth the moment she joined a group: everyone was busy with their own game, nobody was watching her at all.
Is golf in the Netherlands really for everyone — or too expensive and too difficult?
It is genuinely for everyone. The Netherlands has around 420,000 registered golfers and ~270 courses, making golf the fourth-largest organised sport here, and the first Dutch course opened back in 1889 in The Hague. Almost every instructor speaks fluent English, so the whole route is open to expats. Women are joining fast too, with about a 45% rise in recent years, many of them staying because of how warm and welcoming the groups are.
That warmth is the real secret of golf. Come to a first lesson near Utrecht, hit a few clean shots, and I think you’ll feel it in the first half hour. When you’re ready, I would love to help you take that first swing.