Golf de L'Empereur Est. 1989

Laid out over a large and relatively open tract of what was originally rural farmland, L'Empereur (le Golf au Bout du Monde) is a wonderfully challenging and scenic layout. At 7400 yards from the tiger tees, the club's Empereur course (as distinct from its 9-hole companion, La Hutte) provides one of Belgium's toughest and certainly longest tests for your game. Generally regarded as a course that suits big hitters, safe landings for errant drives are not always guaranteed. Out-of-bounds menacingly lurks on the rightside (and occasionally leftside) of almost all the front-nine holes, which create an outer loop played closest to the course perimeter. The inner back-nine loop brings water dangerously into play at the short par-4 10th, and you'll encounter a himalayan climb as you ascend to the seriously elevated par-4 13th green. From most parts of the course, and particularly from the 12th green and wonderfully elevated 14th tee, you will enjoy beautiful views over the course and surrounding, rolling Wallonian countryside and woodlands. Tactical planning from the tee will not go amiss on many holes, even if the invitingly good-width fairways invariably tempt you to go with the driver. The many trees planted when the course was built do not overly impact the layout's generally open character, but on some holes they are beginning to make their presence felt. The standard of upkeep is usually good at Empereur, with large and sloping greens requiring a great putting touch to get down in two.