Valkenswaard is a calm, green base just south of Eindhoven, ideal for golfers who prefer woodland, heathland and countryside over big-city bustle. It sits close enough to Eindhoven for restaurants, design culture and airport access, but the setting feels much quieter, with forests, fens and nature reserves shaping the wider area.

The main golf draw is Eindhovensche Golf, located in Valkenswaard itself. The club says its course has been a regular presence in the Top 5 courses in the Netherlands and has also been ranked in Golf World’s Top 100 Continental Europe list. It is an 18-hole, par-72 heathland course designed by Harry Colt, set through woodland on gently undulating terrain, so it rewards accuracy, positioning and a tidy short game rather than simply hitting it miles. Cookie Jar Golf describes it as a “majestic heathland” course running through a huge forest, with Colt’s original greens largely intact, which gives it proper architectural credibility.

Golf here is best from April to October, with May to September usually giving the most comfortable weather, greener fairways and longer daylight. The course’s sandy heathland character also gives it that classic inland Dutch feel: pine trees, natural contours, strategic bunkers and a peaceful setting.

Off the course, Valkenswaard is brilliant for nature-led rest days. De Malpie nature reserve sits close by, with heathland, fens, the Dommel river and forest trails, making it popular for walking and cycling. The wider area also includes De Groote Heide and De Plateaux-Hageven nature reserves. Eindhoven is close enough for evenings out, with Strijp-S, design spaces and the Van Abbemuseum adding a more urban twist.

For golfers seeking top-quality heathland golf, peaceful surroundings and easy Eindhoven access, Valkenswaard is one of North Brabant’s strongest and most rewarding golf bases.