Drentse Golfclub De Gelpenberg (Aalden)

Golf the way it should feel

Hello, I’m Marina Romanik. Golf has given me so much joy, and my favourite part is sharing it with you. I’m a PGA-certified instructor, and I teach players of every age and level — from your very first swing to that little bit of polish that takes shots off your card. Wherever you love to play, I want you to enjoy it more.

A heathland gem in Drenthe

Drentse Golfclub De Gelpenberg sits in the beautiful countryside near Aalden, in the heart of Drenthe. The club opened in 1970, and the course you play today carries the touch of two respected designers: Frank Pennink, who shaped it in 1972, and Donald Steel, who refined it in 1992. That careful design history is one reason golfers speak about this place so warmly.

This is a true heathland course, spread across 60 hectares of classic Drenthe landscape. As you walk the fairways you pass open heathlands, ancient juniper trees, quiet water features and gently rolling terrain. It feels natural and peaceful — golf that lives inside the landscape instead of fighting it. The 18 holes play to a par of 72 over two loops, so the round has a lovely rhythm.

The course holds a championship character, which simply means there is plenty here to enjoy and to grow into. The most famous moment is the 18th hole, with its remarkable natural bunker — a real sand drift, or zandverstuiving, that is one of the largest of its kind. It’s the perfect, memorable way to finish your round.

There is a warm welcome off the course too. You’ll find a driving range, a putting green and a short-game area to warm up or practise, plus an academy on site. After your round, the restaurant, bar and terrace are ideal for a relaxed drink while you talk through your best shots. With a pro shop, buggy rental, lockers and showers, everything you need is right there.

Best of all, De Gelpenberg is genuinely welcoming. It’s a pay-and-play course where visitors are welcome, you can book your tee time online, and it’s open year-round. It’s beginner-friendly, with a short course to learn on, a junior programme for young players, and a ladies’ programme too. Golfers rate it highly — it scores an 8.5 on Leadingcourses — and an 18-hole round is around €60.

Play it with confidence

A course like this is even more fun when your swing feels reliable. When your ball flies straight and your short game is steady, you can relax and enjoy the heather, the junipers and that famous final hole — instead of worrying about your score.

That’s where I love to help. A few lessons can do wonders: better contact, more confidence around the greens, and a calm, repeatable swing you can trust on any course. I teach beginners who have never held a club, juniors finding their first love of the game, and experienced players who simply want to play a little better.

I teach in Utrecht at Chi Chi Golf and in Driebergen at Golfschool Hoenderdaal, and my lessons are always friendly, positive and fun. I speak Dutch, English, Ukrainian and Russian, so we will always understand each other easily.

So before your next round at De Gelpenberg — or wherever you love to play — come and sharpen your game with me. Book a lesson online, send me a WhatsApp, or give me a call. Let’s make your golf more enjoyable, one swing at a time. I’d love to meet you.