We've grouped the regional golf federations of Hamburg, Lower Saxony/Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein to create the North West area of Germany with a total of 153 courses.

Of the five German courses that currently make it into our European Top 100 ranking, three are located in the North West: Hamburger Falkenstein, the century-old handiwork of Colt, Morrison and Alison, rides high in the European chart, as does a surprising newcomer in the shape of the links course at Budersand Sylt, which Rolf-Stephan Hansen unveiled to the public in 2009. Completing this triumvirate is St Dionys, which, despite replacing most of its front nine holes in 2012, has managed to retain its place amongst the continent’s most elite golfing layouts.

Hamburg certainly is a hotbed of golf in Germany; there are a number of good courses spread around the city with John Morrison's Hittfeld being perhaps the nearest challenger of Falkenstein. At Bremen is the Club zur Vahr with its Garlstedter Heide course, a Bernhard von Limburger classic that used to vie for the German top spot as well. More old-style golf awaits at ancient Kitzeberg near Kiel and at quirky Altenhof, routed around a grand manor in the best English parkland tradition.

Amongst the modern venues David Krause's Niedersachsen layout at the Hardenberg Golf Resort never fails to entertain. Links style holes can be found at Föhr, which is just a couple of nautical miles across from Budersand – only that there's no ferry! Finally, if you're looking for a tried and tested Tour venue, there's always Gut Kaden north of Hamburg.