The International
Amsterdam
Located beside Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The International is one of the Netherlands’ most distinctive modern championship golf courses. Designed by Ian Woosnam in collaboration with Mastergolf, the course makes clever use of unusually hilly terrain, with elevation changes of up to 14 metres creating a far more dramatic feel than many Dutch layouts.
The 18-hole course is a par-72 layout measuring around 6,615 metres from the back tees. It has an inland links-style character, with open fairways, water hazards, shaped bunkering and exposed sections where wind can add to the challenge. Despite its airport-side location, the course has a polished, premium feel, with a contemporary clubhouse and strong service standards.
The International is best suited to golfers looking for a modern, high-quality round rather than a traditional Dutch parkland course. It is especially useful for Amsterdam golf itineraries because of its location — ideal for arrival or departure day golf, premium group trips or corporate golf breaks.
Access can be more limited than at standard visitor-friendly courses, as The International operates as a private club where non-members generally need member or hosted access. For packaged golf holidays, it is worth checking availability carefully before positioning it as a guaranteed visitor round.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
5km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
Time Zone:
GMT+1
Currency:
€ (Euro)
Temperature:
1°C - 27°C
Cost of a Beer:
£5.50
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£35
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Bilthoven is a peaceful, leafy base in central Netherlands, just north-east of Utrecht, and works well for golfers who want quiet surroundings with strong course access nearby. It sits close to the wooded landscapes of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, a region known for forests, heathland, sand drifts, castles and cycling routes. That makes Bilthoven feel more countryside than city, while still being very easy to combine with Utrecht, Amsterdam or Amersfoort.
The major golfing draw is Utrechtse Golfclub De Pan, located nearby in Bosch en Duin. This is one of the Netherlands’ most respected courses, designed by Harry Colt in the 1920s, and known for its sandy heathland-style terrain, pine-framed holes, subtle contours and strategic demands. It is not a course you simply overpower; good positioning, controlled ball flight and clever approach play matter throughout.
For a lighter or more relaxed round, Golfpark De Biltse Duinen in Bilthoven offers a 9-hole par-3 course, with holes ranging from 61 to 147 metres, plus a notable multi-level illuminated driving range. It is useful for warm-ups, short-game practice or mixed-ability groups. Nearby Golfsociëteit De Lage Vuursche adds another high-quality option, widely regarded as one of the Netherlands’ better 18-hole courses, with a more modern woodland layout and strong conditioning.
Golf around Bilthoven is best from April to October, with May to September offering the most comfortable temperatures and longer daylight.
Off the course, this is a brilliant area for slow Dutch travel: forest walks, cycling, castles, cafés and easy train trips into Utrecht’s old centre. For golfers seeking refined woodland golf, calm surroundings and easy access to some of the Netherlands’ best inland courses, Bilthoven is a quietly excellent choice.
