Golfcentrum De Batouwe: The busy 27-hole golf centre of De Batouwe sits directly alongside the impressive Amsterdam-Rhine canal, just outside the historic town of Tiel. Each of the three nines here contains its fair share of water hazards, tightish short par-4s, excellent greens and holes where a modicum of undulation has been introduced.

There's not really a best-nine or best-combination, with challenge and enjoyment to be found in equal measure in each of the three nine-hole loops. The Perengaard-nine (pear orchard) is perhaps the most scenic (looking out across classic Dutch countryside); the Appelgaard is perhaps the most watery nine, and the Kersengaard (cherry orchard) the most compact.

De Batouwe may not be an old Dutch "master", but it is a first-class representative of the newer genre of open, gently undulating golf course designs. Earlier tree planting now makes its presence felt - reinforcing the already menacing water hazards and uncompromising rough (the latter mainly to be found in the cherry orchard!).

All in all a very pleasant (and busy) golf centre, although in winter the clay soil can make the course a bit soggy following heavy rainfalls.