Royal Hainaut (Bruyeres & Quesnoy) - Belgium

Really pretty course with nice staff. There weren't a whole lot of incredibly challenging holes (not a lot of blind shots but a few are tricky) but the course played is lined with tall pines on every hole so it's easy to add a stroke or two if you miss the fairways. Very good discount for workers at SHAPE so if you're in town for a meeting or if you are stationed there I highly recommend playing a few rounds at this course- it's the best in the area BY FAR.

Hainaut is in a tranquil place south of Brussels, in a very old forest. We played the classic lay-out Quesnoy and Bruyeres. The course is short by modern standards, but it still is an interesting design. Although most fairways are tree lined, fairways are very wide and missing it does not have to be fatal. The green complexes are of high quality and very naturally blended in and contoured. Greenside bunkers are sometimes elevated on one side, which also influences the shape and slopes of the greens. Fairways were very patchy unfortunately, and not in a ‘firm and fast’way. Favourite holes were probably the par 4 3rd, which is one of the longer par 4s. The drive is hit to a narrowing corner. It leaves a mid-iron approach to a green that slopes tot he back and tot he left, with a bunker in the left front. I also liked the par 5s that featured some exciting punchbowl greens and some nice risk-reward dogleg right par 4s on the back nine (15 and 16) played to beautiful raised greens. Club selection and agression of your line off the tee can result in a variety of second shots.

The course reminded me of Club du Lys a bit. Both courses are not the most well known layouts by Tom Simpson, but they do show similarities in the design, historic feel, little bit beyond its prime-grandeur. Both have feature some really good holes and some straight forward holes but in places they show their delicacy and lasting quality and I can imagine you will not soon grow tired to play this course. If you’re in the area, I recommend paying it a visit if you are into classic golf courses. MO

Royal Hainaut is a wonderful course that has it all in quiet surroundings. It consists of 3 x 9 holes (Etangs, Bruyères & Quesnoy) offering a great variety of challenging holes requiring distance and precision. The general outlook is one of a parkland golf. "Etangs" is to be played when the weather conditions are dry. It is the more recent part of Royal Hainaut. Bruyères and Quesnoy are more on sandy ground. Very impressive when playing BT since narrow corridors often mark the first 100 meter/yards.The greens (even if during season 2013-14 there were some difficulties) are undulating and require careful reading. Even below 3 ft (less than a meter), a put can be challenging...The practice area is a bit (too) distant from the course so be sure to arrive on time if you need to warm up.The atmosphere in the club house is absolutely charming. Overall pricing is very competitive. Royal Hainaut is worthwhile a visit and offers great value for money.