Hamburger Golf-Club - Falkenstein

Hamburger Golf-Club - Falkenstein is home to a classic and very traditional golf course, which many would argue is among the top three "heathland" courses in continental Europe, together with Morfontaine outside Paris, and Utrecht "De Pan" in the Netherlands. Typically it is rated the No.1 layout in Germany, and deservedly so.

Falkenstein is located on the edge of a large area of natural woodland, just a kilometre from the banks of the River Elbe. This revered tree-lined heathland course, laid out in two nine-hole loops, contains a wealth of wonderfully crafted, memorable and challenging holes. There's plenty of heather on show here, bordering the predominantly tree-lined fairways, with Scots pine also much in evidence. The abundance of heather ("heide" in German), provides edging for several of the bunkers, while also creating one or two longish carries from the tee.

The mix of doglegging and straightaway holes attractively lace their way through quiet woodland avenues, inexorably heading to well-bunkered and subtly sloping greens. There's a few blind drives in the mix, and many holes play down from elevated tees and back up to elevated greens. Falkenstein is a truly great course that wouldn't be remotely out of place sitting alongside the very best of England's Surrey-Berkshire heathland elite.

Pick of the holes: the opening par-4 1st is an excellent scene-setter for what's to come. Played from an elevated tee, the hole gently sweeps right-to-left past fairway bunkers, and then to a large elevated green. The par-5 17th also gently doglegs right-to-left; a good drive provides the chance to cross a wide expanse of heather with your second shot, as you journey downhill to the green.