One of the best modern courses in Germany, it has 27 ferocious holes in three loops. The site is ideal, it had previously been an almost undisturbed wilderness for many decades due to being marked off as a military training area. And a round at St. Wendel still has something of a military expedition as it winds up and down, left and right through the unfathomable terrain. Most of the holes here would be signature holes elsewhere.

It is a hard course and will often take its toll on the player's ball supply. But that is the price to pay for spectacular hole designs and in this case it seems justified. The view from the clubhouse terrace is something to behold and the routing refuses to slow down further afield. Even though it uses every single natural feature available - and there is an abundant supply of them - it never resorts to all flash and no substance. So thrills aside, there is some very solid golf to be played and creative shotmaking will be rewarded.

However, traditionalists may disapprove of the boisterous game performed on this course. It certainly is a bit removed from what is conventionally understood to be the game of golf. One valid criticism is that only the A loop is a contiguous walk, whereas B + C visit a dramatic hill on the edge of the property, which may be more practical to negotiate in a cart. The site is undulated, but would be a joy to walk were it not for those few disappointing treks. Previously the cart paths were limited to these transitional spaces, so there were no artificial blemishes on the holes themselves. This has unfortunately changed lately and the course lost some of its natural appeal. The landscape still isn't especially trimmed or groomed to maximise visuals, though.

Ultimately, it may be considered proper golf or not, but there can be no denying that the St. Wendel roller coaster is a cracking experience.