Hoenderdaal Golf in Driebergen is a familiar name to many in the golf world. Located on the beautiful Utrechtse Heuvelrug, this golf course offers an accessible and welcoming environment for golfers of all levels. But for Mels Kooijman and Nick Barkema, the founders of Reswing, Hoenderdaal Golf is much more than just a place to hit a few balls.

Here, on this golf course, their passion for the sport and the idea behind Reswing began. In this blog, we dive deeper into the role that Hoenderdaal Golf played in their journey from enthusiastic golfers to entrepreneurs. We discuss their experiences on this course, what makes Hoenderdaal so special to them, and how their golf adventure ultimately led to the founding of Reswing.

Curious how a simple golf course was the start of an innovative company? Read on!

Hoenderdaal Golf is centrally located in the Netherlands and has been a popular destination for golfers from the region for years. But for Nick and Mels, it is much more than a golf course – it is the place where their love for the sport grew and where they return time and again to train, play, and exchange ideas.

What makes Hoenderdaal so special for Nick and Mels?

• Personal connection: This is where they gained their first serious golf experiences.
• Unique atmosphere: Hoenderdaal has an accessible and informal vibe that connects golfers to one another.
• Perfect place to grow: They found inspiration here both as golfers and as entrepreneurs.

From their first rounds on the 9-hole golf course to conversations on the terrace of the cozy clubhouse, Hoenderdaal has played an essential role in their development – not only as golfers, but also as entrepreneurs.

From Hoenderdaal to Reswing: how the idea was born

For Mels and Nick, golf was always more than just a hobby. They saw the beauty of the sport, but also the challenges. During their time at Hoenderdaal, they started thinking about ways to improve the golf experience and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

The first ideas

During countless playing sessions and conversations on the driving range, the first contours of what would later become Reswing emerged. Their ambition? To innovate and improve golf, and to make a positive impact on the golf community.

At Hoenderdaal they discovered:
✅ How important a good golf environment is for your development.
✅ That innovation and tradition can go hand in hand.
✅ That golf is all about the experience and sharing a passion.

Nick and Mels used these insights as the foundation for Reswing. What started as an idea on the course soon grew into a serious business.

Are you also looking to start playing golf? Then read our article on golf equipment: everything you need per stage — from your first clubs to equipment for the serious golfer.