It is, for most of us, a natural reflex. Like when boarding a plane, you instinctively turn right. But the next time you exit the Eurotunnel terminal near Calais, try turning left!

Do this and you’ll eventually come to Bruges where there are a number of great golf courses near the town, which also happens to be a World Heritage Site thanks to numerous historic medieval buildings in the centre. It’s easy to spend time strolling along elegant streets and canals, feasting on more-ish chocolate or the excellent local beers, but don’t forget there’s some serious golfing to do, too.

The area’s finest courses are all easily reachable from Bruges’ best centrally located hotels – the Martin’s Bruges and Martin’s Relais Oud Huis. The former offers lots of stylish bang for your buck, while the Relais Oud Huis provides a little extra luxury, like individual rooms with four-poster beds and private balconies with views over the city.

Damme Golf & Country Club

The golf courses here are just as alluring. Damme, the closest, is a fantastic parkland layout built around several lakes, while Oostburg features a palatial clubhouse and an equally imposing 7,000-yard championship track. Belgium’s most famous course, Royal Zoute, is also nearby, on the North Sea coast. Nick Faldo called it a hidden gem and he’s not wrong, the Harry Colt design easily standing the test of timesince golf was first played on the site in 1899. The outstanding Royal Ostend, laid out on a dramatic strip of seaside linksland, should also be on your itinerary, as should De Palingbeek, which offers a challenging but enjoyable test. The course is tree-lined but it’s hard to lose a ball, making it great fun for large groups…challenging but fair!

Royal Zoute Golf Club

Finally, squeeze in a round on your return to Calais at Royal Latem. This pristine layout is a real thinking man’s course with well thought out, tree-lined holes. A round here is the perfect way to sign off a very memorable expedition.

Martin’s Hotel Chateau du Lac

The Waterloo region, easily accessed from Calais, is also home to some superb courses, including classics like Royal Waterloo with its three entertaining layouts. From here you can explore Belgium’s capital, home of the European Union, as well as historic sites such as Wellington Museum which houses documents, engravings and arms from the battle, and Butte du Lion which marks the battlefield itself. Enticing accommodation options include the luxury Martin’s Grand Hotel, combining old world charm with modern facilities, the great value Martins Lodge and the elegant Martin’s Hotel Chateau du Lac in Genval.

Martins Grand Hotel

It is clear then that, while France, Portugal and Spain get most of the golfing attention in Europe, Belgium and the like are home to some of the finest hidden gems golf has to offer. As we suggested before; simply turn left out of Calais next time you disembark the Eurotunnel and find out for yourselves!

Royal Waterloo Golf Club

Oh and while we are on the subject of the Eurotunnel, we thought we would point out just how suited it is to a golf tour in Europe. Not only are you totally in control of your trip thanks to the freedom that comes with having a car to get from point A to point B and beyond, you can pack for the occasion as well! This means you can travel with your own golf clubs, which cuts out the cost of having to rent, and anything else you may usually have to leave out of a suitcase! And the best part? Eurotunnel crossings are included in the price for the vast majority of our Belgium golf break packages!

For information on Belgium Golf Tours, French Golf Holidays and Eurotunnel Golf Breaks please visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call free on 0800 043 6644.

yourgolftravel.com	facebook.com/yourgolftravel	twitter.com/yourgolftravel	yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole