Royal Ostend Golf Club

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for visiting Royal Ostend. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the greens and tee boxes and that you were able to complete your round in… More

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for visiting Royal Ostend.

We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the greens and tee boxes and that you were able to complete your round in around 3.5 hours. We also appreciate your comments regarding the signage. We are aware that the wayfinding on the course can be improved, and this is something we are currently working on.

We would, however, like to add some context regarding the condition of the fairways. Royal Ostend is the only true links course in Belgium, and a links course is naturally meant to become firm, dry and “crispy” during the summer months. This is an essential part of the character and playing experience of a links course.

This summer has been exceptional, with unusually high temperatures and severe drought conditions affecting much of Europe. The Belgian coast and West Flanders have been particularly affected by the water shortage. As a temporary measure in this extreme and persistent heat, and also out of respect for the responsible use of our water resources, our fairways have not been irrigated for a number of weeks. We do, however, continue to irrigate and carefully maintain our greens and approaches, which is why these areas remain in excellent condition.

We were also a little surprised by your comment that you saw little of the “links character” beyond the first hole. In fact, holes 5 through 10, running along the seaside and through the dunes, are authentic links holes and are among the most distinctive parts of the course. Hole 8, in particular, has been recognised among the 100 best golf holes in Continental Europe. We therefore hope that, on a future visit, you will have the opportunity to experience these holes in a way that better reflects the links character of Royal Ostend.

During most of the year, our course is in excellent condition and yearly earns a place among the top 3 golf courses in Belgium. Playing conditions vary with the seasons and weather, and this year's exceptional summer has had a significant impact on the appearance of the fairways, but again, links courses are not meant to be green and soft playing during the summer months.

We are sorry that the overall experience did not fully meet your expectations, particularly regarding the value you felt you received for the green fee. Nevertheless, we appreciate your honest feedback, as it helps us identify areas where we can improve.

Thank you again for your visit, and we hope to welcome you back to Royal Ostend in the future under different seasonal conditions.

Kind regards,
Royal Ostend Golf Club