Golfbaan de Swinkelsche (Someren)

Two loops through the heath

Golfbaan de Swinkelsche lies at Someren in Noord-Brabant, where its 18 holes run in two loops across forest, heathland and water. The course was designed by Frank Pont and the club dates back to 1981. From the club’s own website, the fairways are wide and the greens large and undulating, guarded by big bunkers with rough, irregular edges — and because the holes run long and short in every direction, the wind is always part of the game here.

Golfers rate it highly. On LeadingCourses it scores 8.4 out of 10 from 1,276 ratings, and on Hole19 golfers give it a full 5.0 out of 5 (checked 11 October 2026).

This is a championship heathland course, so it rewards placement and patience and suits handicap golfers who enjoy thinking their way around. If your game is still growing, the club also has a par-3 short course — a gentler way to play a full round — and a golf academy where you can build toward the main holes.

Playing here as a visitor

Visitors are warmly welcome at De Swinkelsche, and you do not need to be a member. You do need a valid handicap — a Dutch GVB card or international equivalent — and tee times are booked online in advance. A round of 18 holes costs €75 and 9 holes €47.50, and the course is open year-round.

For practice there is a driving range, a putting green, a short-game area and practice bunkers, alongside the academy and the par-3 course. The clubhouse has a restaurant, a bar and a terrace, and buggies and trolleys can be hired.

What the heath asks of you

Open heathland runs the ball and shows little mercy to a wayward shot — the wide fairways look forgiving, but the wind and those large, undulating greens ask for control, not brute strength. Before a round on ground like this, I most love to work with players on course management and a swing they can repeat under pressure. That is where good scores on a championship heath really come from.