Amsterdam, Netherlands

Historic canals and palaces, deserted island dining and lesser-known Harry Colt masterpieces.

The spider web of canals spreading from its medieval centre, the colourful entertainment on cobbled streets, bikes from a bygone era the favoured mode of transport, and the infamous ‘coffee’ shops (there’s roughly 200 of them) that are de rigueur for any guided trip, might be what makes Amsterdam so famous, but there’s so much depth to this intricate city that just getting lost can lead to endless adventures.

The story of the city is seen not only in the monuments and architecture spliced between canals, but also in the 51 museums it’s home to, including the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum (8,000 works including Rembrandt), the Anne Frank House and, fittingly given this is the home of the tulip, several flower museums.

Again, look further though, and you’ll find craft brewers and jenever distillers (gin’s Dutch cousin), music venues in monasteries, palaces, independent art galleries, and a food scene that’s reflective of Amsterdam’s truly cosmopolitan population (180 nationalities) and getting more and more revered across Europe too.

So where does golf fit in? The Hague is little over a 45 minute drive south of Amsterdam, and the politic aristocracy that resides in these parts means quality golf has to be nearby and that comes to fruition at Koninklijke Haagsche [Royal Hague] Golf & Country Club. Admittedly you need a member intro, but once that sorted, you then get to enjoy a club with some 125 years of history, dating back to 1893, and a course that’s the work of Harry Colt’s Colt, Alison and Morrison design company, and with a decent heritage too, opening for tee times in 1939. It’s hosted Dutch Opens and although it’s on Holland’s North Sea coast, it’s a links courses crafted amid sand dunes, in a classic Colt layout. Colt also had a hand in several of the great courses in the area, including Utrecht de Pan, and Kennemer Golf Club.