We've taken the regional golf federation of North Rhine-Westfalia and turned it into the West area of Germany with a total of 158 courses.

As far as its classic courses go, the West is definitely "Limmy country", as you'll find many of Bernhard von Limburger's best efforts here. Arguably his masterpiece and knocking on the door of the European Top 100 is Hubbelrath East in Düsseldorf. Bunched up behind this behemoth are the likes of Köln, Krefelder, Westfälischer Gütersloh, Bad Salzuflen and Dortmunder to name just a few. A special case is Bergisch Land, where John Morrison got the best property and Limmy had to build the last five holes as an afterthought. The other mostly intact Morrison layout is Aachen.

Limmy's main competitor in Germany was Donald Harradine, who got a few nods in the West as well, e.g. Essen-Heidhausen, Wasserburg Anholt and easy-going Burg Zievel with its medieval castle. Just a joust away is Bad Münstereifel, whose claim to fame is a historic radio telescope and a very peculiar course, which you'll adore if you grok acrobatic John Cleese in the Ministry of Silly Walks. If you're more into Titanic or Top Gun, then why not pay a visit to Jack's Gut Lärchenhof? And finally, if you're so inclined, you can also bag the home course of former World #1 and two-time Major champion Martin Kaymer at Golf Club Mettmann.

Generally speaking you will find hilly country south of Aachen and east of Cologne, while anything west of Düsseldorf will be largely flat with a high water table. There is some sandy soil and quite a bit of heathland in the northern parts of the region.