Golfpark De Purmer (Purmerend)

Open golf, wide skies

Golfpark De Purmer sits in Purmerend, in the flat, green Waterland just north of Amsterdam. This is classic Dutch scenery — big open sky, water in the distance, a horizon that goes on and on. The course opened in 1989 and was shaped by designers Tom McAuley and Bruno Steensels into a parkland layout that feels calm and generous.

There are 27 holes here, set out as three nine-hole loops, playing to a par of 71. I like this a lot. Three loops means you can play a shorter round when time is tight, or mix them for a longer day, and it keeps the course feeling fresh. The style is parkland, so you get real fairways, trees for shape, and greens that ask you to think without ever punishing you too hard. Golfers call it a moderate course, which is a kind way to say it welcomes you and still gives your game something to chew on.

What makes De Purmer special for me is how open the door is. It is a pay-and-play course, so you do not need a handicap or a GVB card to walk on and enjoy a round. Nine holes cost around €37.50 and eighteen around €75, and you can book your tee time online. On site there is a driving range, a putting green, an academy, and a restaurant for after — everything you want for a proper golf morning.

This makes it a wonderful place to learn the game, not only to play it. Many new golfers tell me the same story: they were nervous to step onto a real course for the first time, sure that everyone was watching. By the back nine, they had forgotten to be nervous at all. A relaxed, no-handicap course under a wide sky does that to people. It is best for beginners finding their feet, families and juniors having fun together, and expats who want easy golf without a lot of rules.

Bring a few lessons with you

A friendly course like De Purmer is even more fun when your swing feels reliable. You spend less time searching in the rough and more time enjoying that open Waterland view. Small steps make a big difference. A cleaner grip, a calmer tempo, a putting stroke you trust — these are the things that turn a good day into a great one.

That is exactly what I love to teach. I coach in Dutch, English, Ukrainian and Russian, all ages and every level, and I always start where you are, with no pressure and plenty of encouragement. My home courses are Chi Chi Golf in Utrecht and Golfschool Hoenderdaal in Driebergen, and wherever you plan to play, a few lessons will sharpen your game and grow your confidence fast.

So come and enjoy the open golf at De Purmer — and if you would like your swing to feel ready first, book a lesson with me. You can book online, send a WhatsApp, or simply call. I would love to help you fall in love with this game.