Golfclub Spanderswoud (Hilversum)

Short game, big smiles

Hello, I’m Marina Romanik, a PGA-certified golf instructor based in Utrecht. I love courses that ask you to think, not just swing hard — they are the ones that make you a smarter player. Golf for me is about fun and steady progress, whatever your age or level. Let me show you how a few good lessons turn a tricky shot into your favourite shot.

Golf in the woods

Golfclub Spanderswoud sits in one of the prettiest settings in the country — tucked inside the Goois Natuurreservaat, the Gooi Nature Reserve, between Bussum and Hilversum. You play surrounded by mature trees and quiet woodland, with birdsong instead of traffic. It is a calm, green escape, and only about 22 minutes from Utrecht.

The layout is an 18-hole, par-64 course that rewards accuracy and a tidy short game rather than raw power. That makes it a wonderful place to grow as a golfer. The trees frame each hole and keep you focused, and there is a real satisfaction in placing your ball just where you planned. With a course rating of 65.2 and a slope of 130, it offers a fair but rewarding challenge — enough to keep you interested, never enough to spoil the fun.

There is plenty here to help you play your best, too. The driving range is floodlit, so you can warm up or practise even on darker evenings — a real treat in the Dutch winter. There is an on-site golf academy, a pro shop, and dedicated programmes for juniors and for ladies. After your round, the clubhouse welcomes you with a full restaurant, a bar and a terrace where you can relax and enjoy the woodland air. Buggy and trolley hire are available if you would rather not carry your bag.

Best for: beginners and improving players who want to sharpen their short game, juniors learning the ropes, and anyone who loves a peaceful, scenic round close to Utrecht. Visitors are warmly welcomed — bring your NGF handicap card and arrange an introduction through the club before your first visit. You can book your tee time online from home.

Play it with confidence

A woodland course like Spanderswoud is so much more enjoyable when you trust your game. Knowing how to control your distance, escape the trees, and read a tricky green turns a careful round into a really fun one. That is exactly the kind of golf I love to teach.

I’m Marina Romanik, and I give lessons at Chi Chi Golf in Utrecht and at Golfschool Hoenderdaal in Driebergen — both within easy reach of Hilversum. I teach all ages and levels, from your very first swing to fine-tuning your short game and course strategy. I speak Dutch, English, Ukrainian and Russian, so we will always understand each other and have fun along the way.

Ready to enjoy your golf even more? Book a lesson with me directly online, send me a WhatsApp, or give me a call. Let’s get your game ready for the woods — I’d love to help you play your best.