For golf in Amsterdam without a membership, the place to start is Golfbaan Spaarnwoude, a large public complex with 54 holes between Amsterdam, Haarlem and Schiphol. You don't need a membership to play there, and the compact A, B and F loops require no handicap, so beginners are welcome too. If you prefer a quiet polder course in the Green Heart, Golf & Countryclub Liemeer in Nieuwveen is the alternative.
Golf in Amsterdam starts at Spaarnwoude
Golfbaan Spaarnwoude sits at Het Hoge Land 2 in Velsen-Zuid, inside the Spaarnwoude recreation area. The complex has 54 holes, split into six loops of 9 holes. That lets you decide how long and how demanding your round will be: a quick nine after work or a full eighteen on a Saturday.
The biggest advantage if you don't belong to a club is simple: no membership is required. You pick a tee time, pay the green fee and play. That makes Spaarnwoude the obvious first choice whether you live in or around Amsterdam or you're visiting the city and want a few hours on the course.
Because the course is built from separate loops, you don't have to block out a whole afternoon either. A 9 hole loop is a good way to find out whether the game suits you, or to get your swing back after a long break.
Which loop suits your level
The loops at Spaarnwoude are organised by level. The A, B and F holes are compact courses where no handicap is required. The F holes form a par 3 loop, which is ideal for practising your short irons and putting without long holes in between.
The competition courses C, D and E require a handicap of 54. The 18 hole round there is usually played over E and D. If you have just earned your handicap, that is the step to work towards.
The green fees are easy to follow. In winter 2026/2027, 18 holes on the Championship loops costs 48 euros on weekdays and 55 euros at the weekend. The par 3 F loop costs 11 euros for 9 holes on weekdays, an easy way to get to know the course.
Liemeer: inland links in the Green Heart
If you're happy to drive a little further, Golf & Countryclub Liemeer is at Golfpad 1 in Nieuwveen, in the municipality of Nieuwkoop. The club lies in the Green Heart between Utrecht, Leiden and Amsterdam, in a genuine Dutch polder.
The Liemeer layout consists of the Torenbaan, an 18 hole par 72 course, and the 9 hole Bovenlandenbaan with five par 3 and four par 4 holes. Both were designed by Alan Rijks and have an inland links character. The first 9 holes opened in August 2007, and the second 9 followed a year later.
The Torenbaan requires a minimum handicap of 54. For the Bovenlandenbaan, a course permit from a golf professional affiliated with the NGF, the Dutch golf federation, is enough. In 2026 the adult green fee for 18 holes on the Torenbaan is 80 euros, and the 9 hole Bovenlandenbaan is the more affordable option.
What you need to play
What you need depends on the course you choose. In short:
- No handicap: the A, B and F holes at Spaarnwoude.
- A course permit from an NGF affiliated golf professional: the Bovenlandenbaan at Liemeer.
- A minimum handicap of 54: the competition courses C, D and E at Spaarnwoude and the Torenbaan at Liemeer.
Bring your own clubs, or check with the course in advance about what's available. In winter, keep an eye on the weather: frost can close a course or limit what's open, so check on the day whether your round is going ahead.
In OneTee you can see what's still available today at Spaarnwoude, Liemeer and Golfbaan Waterland on the Buikslotermeerdijk in Amsterdam Noord, and book a tee time straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I play golf in Amsterdam as a visitor?
Golfbaan Spaarnwoude in Velsen-Zuid is the most accessible option: it has 54 holes in the Spaarnwoude recreation area between Amsterdam, Haarlem and Schiphol, and no membership is required. Golf & Countryclub Liemeer in Nieuwveen also welcomes green fee players.
Can I play golf in Amsterdam without a handicap?
Yes. At Spaarnwoude, the compact A, B and F holes require no handicap. At Liemeer, the Bovenlandenbaan only requires a course permit from an NGF affiliated golf professional.
Do I need a membership to play golf near Amsterdam?
Not at Golfbaan Spaarnwoude, where you can play without a membership. You pay a green fee per round, for example 48 euros for 18 holes on the Championship loops on weekdays in winter 2026/2027.
How many holes does Spaarnwoude have?
Spaarnwoude has 54 holes, split into six loops of 9 holes. The F loop is a par 3 loop, and C, D and E are the competition courses.
Photo: Golf & Country Club Liemeer.