Golfbaan Schinkelshoek

Golfbaan Schinkelshoek lies in Vlaardingen, between Rotterdam and the Westland. It runs on a concept of its own: you play with a lighter golf ball.

A lighter ball

The light Schinkelshoek ball meets more air resistance and travels less far than a standard ball hit just as hard. Rules, technique and equipment are otherwise the same as on any course, but the holes can be shorter. As a result you play 18 holes in about two and a half hours, and membership and green fees stay cheap. The club says the ball teaches you better technique, because precision counts for more than length.

The courses

The 27 holes are split into three nines: Westland, Waterland and Delfland. With the Schinkelshoek ball each one is par 36. On Thursday and Saturday afternoons you can also play the Westland nine with a regular ball and submit a qualifying card. Schinkelshoek joined the Dutch federation in 2011 and has an official course and slope rating. There is also a renewed six-hole par 3 course. Everyone is welcome, member or not, and the brasserie and terrace look out over the course.