Golf

Domburg is a seaside town on the Zeeland island of Walcheren, and the golf course here is one of the places where the sport meets the dune landscape of the North Sea coast. The club, the Domburgsche Golf Club, plays over a links-style course among the tall dunes behind the beach, and it is known among Dutch golfers as an unusual and demanding place to play. True links golf is rare on the continent, and the combination of sandy ground, wind, and natural contours gives rounds here a flavour that is closer to the British tradition than to the parkland courses inland.

The terrain is the main feature. Fairways roll between dunes, the rough is made of native grasses that can swallow a stray ball, and the greens are exposed to the sea breeze, which is rarely absent and changes the way every hole plays. Because the sandy soil drains quickly, the course can usually be played through much of the year, including in winter, when most inland courses are closed or wet. Some of the bunkers are said to have been formed by bomb craters from the Second World War, a reminder that this stretch of coast was heavily fought over, with German coastal defences along the dunes and fierce fighting on Walcheren in 1944.

Visitors are generally welcome, but it is sensible to check the club's website for tee times, green fees and any requirements such as proof of handicap, since these details change. Many golfers book several weeks ahead for the summer season. Even if you do not play, the dune landscape around the course is attractive, with paths for walking and views of the sea and the dunes.

Domburg has other things to offer around the golf. It is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the country, with a wide beach, a village centre of cafes and shops, and a tradition of attracting painters. Piet Mondrian worked here in the years before the First World War and made studies of the dunes, the sea and the church tower, and the Marie Tak van Poortvliet Museum shows work and exhibitions linked to the artists who came to Domburg. Cycling and hiking in the dunes and the surrounding countryside are very popular, and the nearby town of Middelburg is a short ride away.

The course suits keen golfers who enjoy challenging wind and dunes, and the surrounding area suits families and couples looking for an active seaside break. Pack a windproof layer, and expect weather to change quickly.