Naxhelet Golf Club

Alles was goed, net geen top, onderhoud,bewegwijzering, parking en oefenfaciliteiten zijn prima, voelde me er welkom.

Leuke toegankelijke baan zonder grote hindernissen. Rustige omgeving. Baan lag er ondanks de droogte van de voorbije weken zeer ok bij. Greens waren super snel. Mooi clubhuis en gezellig terras.

Op een zonnige dag de eerste 9 holes van deze golfbaan gelopen. Goed ontvangen in het clubhuis, waar de proshop direct aan het hotel gelegen is. Vriendelijk personeel en oke driving range (niet mogelijk om driver of lange houten van tee te slaan). Even zoeken naar de eerste tee en geen marshall aanwezig om te starten. Baan is vrij rechtoe rechtaan, brede fairways, geen waterhindernissen. Soms een slim geplaatste bunker, maar over het algemeen makkelijk omheen te spelen. Mooie uitzichten over de Ardennen. De baan is gemiddeld onderhouden, de fairways zijn niet geweldig. Het gras was op veel holes te lang, waardoor het net rough was (en de rough was dan zo lang dat je bijna geen bal terugvond). Daarnaast ook veel klaver en bloemetjes in de fairways. De greens waren geprikt, maar waren over het algemeen best oke. Wisselden wel veel qua snelheid. Het restaurant erbij is prima en de ambiance is erg leuk. Het is een goed onderhouden complex met een rustige omgeving. Het is een leuke baan om te spelen, maar voor de €55 euro voor een greenfee van 9 holes is het niet voldoende. Hiervoor mag het baanonderhoud nog wel een tandje beter.

I have posted a review a few years ago about Naxhalet. I like this course, and think the greens have nice undulations (not too much...not too little), and the front nice has some pretty views of the surrounding valleys and hills. It had some conditioning issues last year when I played it, but that seems to be fixed now and the greenkeeper deserves compliments on having the conditions good for this time of the year. My recent visit showed one new positive step that I think are making the course more playable and interesting. Its a fun course to play if you use your head to think about strategy...some holes offer good risk/reward options. What was obvious was that they have increased the fairway width on most holes. While some may view this as making the course 'easier', I view it differently. First of all, one of the pleasures of Naxhalet compared to many other Belgian parkland courses is that it is open and not full of trees...especially 'stupid trees' (which is a big problem in Belgium, because there is something about the culture that thinks that 'more trees' are better' on a golf course, when, in reality, most Belgian courses should be cutting down trees, not planting them.) So, considering this is an open course, the wider fairways really allow the player to make sure of angles of approach to get better options, particularly with all the bunkers on the course. Some fairways are sloping, such as Hole No. 9, and the wider fairway on that hole really allows a better player to use the slope on the left edge to keep their ball in the fairway. It also helps with 2nd shot placement on the par 5's. I like that they decided to get rid of the curve of rough that entered into the 2nd shot area on Hole 12. This is a much better hole now. I'd say on the improvement side of things, some of the bunkers are close to needing additional sand, as some lies put you very close to hitting dirt under a thin sand layer. I noticed they have sold a few more houses, so that's a good thing to bring some more money to the owner, allowing continual investment (I presume). In closing, this course is good value for money, and if you have a nice day, the outdoor terrace is one of the better post round spots for food and drink in Belgium.

Just played Naxhelet Golf Club. Resort-style parkland with a hotel and 18 holes — and that pretty much sums up the entire concept. Very friendly staff and nice well stocked pro shop. The course is in good condition, no complaints there. Unfortunately, it feels like someone designed one hole… and then simply copied and pasted it 18 times. Wide fairway, a green guarded by 2–3 bunkers — rinse and repeat. I’m oddly pleased to have ticked it off the list… and equally pleased I won’t need to play it again. Perhaps my expectations were a touch ambitious — or the variety somewhat underwhelming. Thanks for the tick. I’ll pass on a return visit.