Nordsee-Golfclub

Nordsee-Golfclub St. Peter-Ording: Listed as one of the world's 246 "True Links" golf courses (by George Peper & Malcolm Campbell in their renowned book), here in the far north of Germany is one of the book's lesser known courses. This nine-hole layout (once slated for an extension to 18 holes), provides golfers with a fully authentic coastal links experience.

Located on the western edge of the Eiderstedt peninsula, the course is bounded by salt meadows and rural farmland on one side, and the North Sea on the other. A large, grassy, sheep-mown dyke (or berm) shelters the course from the coastal winds, while also limiting the frequency of the sea views.

The opening four holes of this nine-hole layout are arranged to the west of the distinctive three-storey clubhouse. The more water- and marsh-defended closing five play out to the east. It's up to you if you opt for a nine-hole green fee, or journey round twice for a full 18.

Nordsee's terrain contains a mix of predominantly reed-filled marshland, with a small area of dunes in the area of the clubhouse, the closing par-3 9th and par-5 6th tee. The opening par-4 1st, played from a slightly elevated tee, shares its relatively flat fairway with the returning par-4 4th, and its green with the par-4 3rd. There is limited elevation change here, and only a few glimpses of the vast swathe of marshland that eventually reaches the North Sea away in the distance.

Pick of the holes: unusually for a seaside links course, Nordsee's short par-4 7th offers up a reed-surrounded island green. The nine holes finish with Nordsee's signature par-3 and an intimidating long-tee shot to a partially blind green. The hole, played from the small ridge of dunes near the clubhouse ( ... the only notable area dunes on the course), presents a tough closing challenge, especially if it's played into the wind.