Five Nations Golf Club

Five Nations Golf Club is located on the northern edge of the Belgian Ardennes region, just 15 km to the west of its sister course (Durbuy). Given the distinctly undulating nature of the terrain here, Gary Player has done an excellent job in designing a playable though always challenging layout. And somewhere not too far away (they say), are vantage points where you can look out over the five nations of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

No surprise to discover that the main characteristics of the Ardennes Forest, not least it's extensive woodlands, rolling hills and open ridges, are all reflected in the two nine-hole loops of this testing layout. From the higher parts of the course there are many spectacular views over the Ardennes region, while other stretches take you down into thick woodland, and alongside a small stream.

You will quickly get used to the relatively tight fairways and some leg-stretching climbs. The toughest of these climbs, is that which spirals up from the 6th green to the 7th tee ... a fairly steep and steady seven-minute "ascent" for those on foot.

Variety is a key ingredient of the Five Nations layout, with an equal mix of tree-lined holes (mainly on the front-nine) and others that occupy the more open, linksy and elevated terrain (mainly on the back-nine). Five Nations offers an excellent example of being able to combine the pastimes of golf and hill-climbing, which may account for many members preferring to ride rather than walk. But don’t let that put you off coming to this thoroughly enjoyable, very playable and wonderfully scenic Gary Player design.

Pick of the holes: second only to the popularity of island green par-3s, must be the plunging downhill short hole. Five Nations has one of the latter, the 118-metre 13th ... as vertigo-inducing a hole as they come.

Stay&Play at Five Nations: onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.