Golf Zeegersloot (Alphen aan den Rijn)

Small course, big variety

I love a place that gives you choices. Some days you have two hours, some days you have four — and a course that bends to your day is a gift. That is what first charmed me here: three separate nine-hole loops, so you decide how much golf you want before you even reach the first tee. For me, that flexibility is what keeps golf easy to love.

Golf in the Groene Hart

Golf Zeegersloot sits in the Zegerpark in Alphen aan den Rijn, right in the Groene Hart — the green, watery heart of the Netherlands, about 31 minutes by car west of Utrecht. It is 27 holes of calm parkland, laid out as three nine-hole loops, so you can play a gentle nine or combine loops for a longer round.

Each loop has its own character. The Griendbaan uses water and bunkers to make you think — nothing frightening, just enough to reward a smart shot over a careless one. The Heuvelbaan is the surprise: it tees off from one of the highest points in the whole Groene Hart, around 17 metres above sea level. In a country this flat, that little bit of height feels like a treat, and the view over the polder is lovely.

What I enjoy most is how natural it all feels. Indigenous forest, nature-friendly banks, open water — it is a real polder landscape, not a manicured stage. You share the course with birds and quiet, and honestly, that peace is half the reason to be there.

For a learner, this is a kind course. It is parkland and moderate, not a brutal championship test, and the practice facilities are proper: a driving range, a putting green, and a golf academy right on site. Bring your handicap card and book your tee time online — the course is open all year, so you never have to wait for a season to start. Families are made welcome here too, with a junior programme, and there is a clubhouse restaurant and a terrace to sit on after your round. Golfers rate it warmly — Hole19 gives it 4.1 out of 5 across 78 reviews.

Play it better with a few lessons

A course this varied gives you back exactly what you bring to it. Three different loops means three different rhythms, and a little coaching helps you handle each one with confidence — the water on the Griendbaan, the slightly elevated tees on the Heuvelbaan, the short game that saves your score everywhere.

I am Marina Romanik, a PGA-certified instructor near Utrecht, and I teach every age and level in Dutch, English, Ukrainian and Russian. Many new golfers tell me the same thing after their first lessons: the game finally feels calm instead of complicated. That is the whole idea. Grip, balance, a simple plan for each shot — small steps, and the rest follows.

So bring your clubs, book a lesson with me, and let’s make your next round in the Groene Hart your best one yet. Golf is meant to be fun, and I would love to help you feel that on the very first swing.