Düsseldorfer Golf Club

Düsseldorfer Golf Club: located near Ratingen to the northeast of the famous city of Düsseldorf, here you will find one of Germany's top-rated championship courses. This Fred Hawtree design, which opened for play in 1961, lays down an absorbing challenge in a setting where mature trees of many varieties abound.

This elegant parkland course is laid out on undulating terrain, with several testing "woodland" holes to enjoy. The ever-undulating terrain ensures plenty of elevated tees and greens, with a few blind tee and approach shots in the mix.

Generally good-width tree-lined fairways lead to attractively bunkered green complexes. Those good-width front-nine fairways seem to tighten-up on the more intricate and challenging back-nine. On holes like the par-4 14th and par-5 16th, among others, accuracy from the tee rather than wayward big-hitting is definitely demanded.

The two nine-hole loops of Hawtree's well-crafted design are excellently maintained. In addition to the elevated tees and greens, attractive bunkering and occasional water hazards also play their part. Beware the "subtle" slopes on the good-sized greens, which can often be much more pronounced than you at first think.

Pick of the holes: the "signature" plunging downhill par-3 15th is delightful in its garden-like setting. Here, the awaiting green is fronted by a fountain-adorned pond, which will snaffle anything hit too short. Also memorable is the swirling short par-4 5th, which passes a small pond and tall "fairway tree" on its way up to an elevated green.