User Reviews
for Royal Ostend Golf Club, Belgium
| 5 Stars: | 1 | |
| 4 Stars: | 2 | |
| 3 Stars: | 4 | |
| 2 Stars: | 1 | |
| 1 star: | 2 |
Reviews 1 - 10 from 10
A true links in Belgium, a unique experience
Reviewed April 29, 2013
This is the only true links in Belgium, right by the North Sea. Having played there regularly, I can say that over the last couple of years, the maintenance has improved a lot : lots of trees were cut down, the course was oversewn with fescue grasses etc, to enhance the links experience. Only negative aspect : the busy road that cuts through the course and that has to be crossed several. Bring your A-game and hope for a soft winds!
Original version
Neat, but not royal
Reviewed August 12, 2026
The green fee was €115, including range balls and a trolley. The fairways were, as usual, completely dry, yellow, and rock hard. The tee boxes were okay, and the greens were in good condition. The signage was sometimes unclear; without Bebrassie, I wouldn't have found the next hole three times. I played the course from 3 pm onwards in 3.5 hours. It's a par 70 with a low slope, and overall decent. Apart from the first hole, I didn't see much "links" character, but it wasn't exactly royal either. It's showing its age. A green fee of around €80 would be more appropriate.
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Response from Magali O'Kelly, Director of Royal Ostend Golf Club
August 14, 2026Thank 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
- Original version
Great Golfing Experience
Reviewed November 8, 2020
Played place in Nov '20.95 EUR quite high green fee.
Condition for November exceptionally good, tees good, fairways good, greens even very good.
6 lanes are great, real left feeling, 6 lanes are good, 6 lanes are rather weak, that gives the feeling that the course designer lacked the ideas (or the place).
Still absolutely recommendable.
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- Original version
Totally overpriced
Reviewed July 23, 2018
I played the course 2 weeks ago, completely dried up.
The greens were the only enjoyable.
95 € and the not playing golf companion had to pay even 5 €!
No friendly instruction, nothing...
Complete megalomania
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- Original version
Overpriced place
Reviewed May 21, 2018
We played the course in May 2018. Green fees 95 Euro plus 5 Euro per trolley. Very friendly reception in the reception, but no starter and no Marshall. Fairways partially dried out. No overview boards at the tee, no notes "Next Tee". Bad signposting to the next tee, which would be especially necessary when crossing several times a busy street (without zebra crossing!). At two tees you almost hit the green of another train, so you have to wait until the green is free. That probably contributed to the long waiting times. Very positive contrast: Interesting undulating greens in very good care condition and newly renovated changing / sanitary facilities
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- Original version
Appealing links course by the sea
Reviewed June 5, 2016
Relatively difficult links course with constant wind, now back sufficiently maintained and beautifully renovated clubhouse and a well-stocked pro shop.
The mentioned in the earlier reviews problems are well fixed.
Anyway, it makes a lot of fun, here in nice weather to play directly on the North Golf.
Minus: Only members of Belgian clubs must "dine" in the clubhouse.
4 stars with much room for improvement
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- Original version
Very attractive links course
Reviewed March 21, 2016
Have played the course on 21/3/16 today. Fairways and greens despite current Sandung in very good condition. The use of driving range balls included was included in the € 75 -greenfee. Display boards on the tees would be helpful, however, is missing. So one is dependent on the birdie book, you do not want inadvertently in bunkers or Botany land :-). The clubhouse is being renovated, which can be seen, but does make a good impression. Only the regular crossing of the main road a little annoying. Overall, however, a very interesting Links Round-landscaped square. It was fun.
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- Original version
Feeling left
Reviewed May 6, 2013
We have the price on the second May 2013 played in one afternoon. The plant is already quite get close to a true links course. The course is divided at some tracks only by the dunes of the North Sea. Some elevated tees give a view of the sea. Basically, the course is flat and easy to play (cart not required). Higher HC should clearly come here. There are in addition to the obligatory pot bunkers and a few bunkers and water hazards. When the wind comes into play it will be exciting and often blowing wind. The condition was more or less OK The signage was OK and we find whatever the next tee, even if you have the time and again unfortunately audible highway and the railroad tracks that divide the golf course into three parts cross, four times. The club house and the bathrooms are a little old but is important in my view the place. Green fee you pay anyway for the Caddy master to an outbuilding between clubhouse and driving range and was very friendly. To escape the big game mode, you should play more afternoon. Our experience is that the given game time is hardly observed on the scorecard. For this you can take beautiful photos in the involuntary breaks. The green fee is certainly a tad too high, but most golf tourists pay the stop. Who wants to play links golf in Belgium, is certainly good hands here.
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- Original version
Bargain
Reviewed August 12, 2012
Withered unkempt place, discounts undFairways. Way for years did nothing. Signage is not available. Bunkers are more concrete than sand. Greens are fairly. Sporting golfers should not be fooled by the 3.32 hours playing time on the scorecard! Many tourist golfers without knowledge of the rules, we have to hole 16 to 4.30 hrs unnerved abandoned. No Marshal far and wide.
Water in the clubhouse for € 2.50 round, square and totally overpriced for 85 € worth in any case!
Not recommended!
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- Original version
Royal?
Reviewed July 18, 2012
The clubhouse, the infrastructure and the course maintenance are actually over 100 years old. Everything is outdated and not very well maintained. Of aristocratic flair is nothing more to see. The road noise is a constant companion on the round. Only the greens are in perfect condition. Although the sun goes down only after 20 clock the clubhouse was closed by 19 clock. The price-performance ratio is not right here.
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