Royal Bercuit is set in the rolling Brabant countryside and it's the elevation that grabs you first. From the back tees it measures 7,252 yards, but it doesn't play like a flat, straight test. Fairways lean, lies aren't always level and a lot of approach shots ask you to flight the ball properly, often uphill and into greens that sit on shelves or drop into natural hollows.
Right, who does that suit? Golfers who enjoy thinking their way round. This is a course where accuracy and sensible club selection usually beat trying to bludgeon it. Miss the fairway and you can be playing from awkward stances on sloping ground, which makes controlling distance and spin tricky. Hit the right side of the fairway, though, and the layout gives you angles into the greens and a few proper risk-reward moments where you can choose between playing safe or having a go.
The greens are a big part of the challenge too. Many are subtly tiered, so leaving yourself the right section matters, and you'll quickly learn that a 'safe' miss can still leave a demanding two-putt. I'll be honest, if you're not keen on a hilly walk, Royal Bercuit will have you checking the step count by the turn.
If you're building a Belgium golf break around Brussels or Antwerp and you fancy a stern, hilly championship track, Royal Bercuit is well worth pencilling in.
Who is this for?
Golfers looking for a championship-length test in Belgium, societies or groups wanting a challenging day out in scenic countryside and anyone building a multi-course trip around Brussels or Antwerp who wants to play a course that demands every club in the bag.
Who is it best for?
Mid to low handicappers who enjoy strategic, hilly layouts and don't mind walking a course with serious elevation change. It's also ideal for experienced golfers who want to play a venue that offers a genuine test from the tips.