Continental Europe's Top 20 golf courses: Sperone, Kennemer and Royal Zoute

12. Sperone    Architect: Robert Trent Jones Snr GF: €70-€95 W: sperone.com

Referred to as ‘The Old Head of Europe’ and the ‘Pebble Beach’ of the Med, Sperone boasts an incredible setting. The only 18-hole course on Corsica has some  fabulous vistas over the water, the nearby islands and even across to Sardinia. Also, the stretch of holes from 12 to 16 is one of the most enjoyable and attractive anywhere.

13. Kennemer   

Architect: Harry Colt GF: €100-€120 W: kennemergolf.nl

The natural links at Kennemer is another Harry Colt masterpiece that runs through magnificent, towering dunes with some blind drives and plenty of gorse. Genuinely old-fashioned – the club will celebrate its centenary next year – there is a great atmosphere here.

14. Royal Zoute   

Architect: Harry Colt GF: €95 W: zoute.be

Wounded in World War II, this championship course was nursed back to health by Lieutenant Colonel Allen, but is still unmistakably the work of Harry Colt who was commissioned to design the classic links more than a century ago. Quite British in feel, the club is welcoming and the course is in good shape throughout the year.

The Harry Colt-designed Kennemer