I have read about the requirements from Wikipedia:
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The GVB (Golfvaardigheidsbewijs in Dutch) or golf license is a standardized test and licensing process which players of the game of golf must go through in order to be allowed to play on many golf courses throughout The Netherlands. The GVB is required for entrance into a golfing association or to play on an official golfing association course.

The test
The test comprises a written portion and a practical portion. The written portion is twenty questions; five about golf etiquette, the other fifteen about the rules of golf play. The practical portion of is in playing four holes. The player's best three holes are used the score of this portion; the player must score below 21 to pass the test.
Players are free to choose a course to take their test. Some offer a package deal where one attains a GVB-license after a weekend of workshops, learning and training.
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Does anyone know if I can show my USGA handicap card (that also lists my scores for my last 20 rounds) as a substitute? If not, anyone know the cost of this test process? Can any course do it or is there a certain place you have to do it? Can non-residents even get a license so we can play periodically when traveling there?

I ask because I am about to start traveling over there a fair bit for the next while and would like to keep playing and practicing while there but want to play the better courses (or at least decent ones), which I gather are covered under this "golfing association course" rating.

Would I also assume this written test is only in Dutch or do they also provide in English? I tried perusing web sites but everything I found is in Dutch so I could not get many answers. Any help is appreciated. I will be near The Hague mostly.

I would like to get in touch with some course or something near The Hague that I can get a license from and then start playing for a reasonable price (no idea what green fees are like over there). Hmmm....even better would be to stay at a hotel on or close to a golf course so I can continue my obsession whenever I want!

Try calling a golf course or a hotel over there. Most of them will have at least one person that speaks English. Or try the US Embassy in The Netherlands. I bet somebody in there would know.

I am almost positive that you are not required to take any tests if you have a USGA handicap card. I have talked to several people about this from the Netherlands, and I am fairly certain that your handicap will be good enough.

I would think your card is enough, I have seen other cards from European countries being accepted.
But I have also seen that it is very depended on the course you play. Some courses are private, so you basically need to be a member. So you should find some courses near by, and contact them as mentioned above.

If you want the GVB, it is a easy enough test, if you are just a bit familiar with Golf, you can take it in English. It consists of a simple 20 questions, where you need to get 15 right. Then the practical test is as you already wrote it.
The test is normally 75 Euros and is valid for one year.
Most courses offers the GVB test, so you should be able to take this one pretty much anywhere.

Let me know if you want more details, I am not Dutch, but live here.

No need to take the test, just make sure you've got your USGA card or confirmation of your homeclub with you.
You will have no problems getting on course!
Be sure to play in Belgium while you are there! You would only be about 1,5 hours away from Antwerp where there are some really good courses...

Expext to pay anywhere between 40€ to 100€ for a greenfee.

If you need anything more, just shoot me a pm!

Havent played in the Netherlands yet. Belgium does have some nice courses though.

awesome! Thank you everybody for your replies! I really appreciate it.

I guess as long as I do not hit a private course, I should be able to get on most anywhere. If I find myself there for an extended period, I will venture to Belgium. I would like to try out the various courses around The Hague first, as there is a chance I will move there and would like to know what kind of places I would be able to play. Hopefulyl they are decent track, not insanely hard but not really easy, either.

I will contact some courses over there. The problem is that most of the golf course web sites do not offer an English translation of their page. Oh well, I am sure folks there speak English.

ask the hotel you are staying at, or a local hotel... I did this in amsterdam and played a nice course (walking only remember) 18 holes very very lush grass i think it was maybe 50 euros. no card requiement or handicap etc... i took a taxi from the hotel there and back and they were very nice. was it the greatest course ever? no. was it slow and bad? no. it was just right! good luck.

Yes, go ahead and contact them, they will reply in English I'm sure!
Have fun and if you do come over to Belgium let us know!

Zandvoort is just a short drive north of The Hague, and they have a great links course there (Kennemer G&CC). It's host to this week's euro tour event.
And BTW for an american all of the Netherlands is just around the corner...;-) It's basically just 150x300mi in total area.

Noordwijk is another serious links course.