149 - Golf International Pont Royal

Location: Mallemort, France

Rating: 8.3

As you drive through the gates at Pont Royal it fast becomes apparent that this is going to be a great experience and it doesn’t disappoint. Pont Royal is a Seve Ballesteros designed course and has an abundance of fun and varying holes.

I was expecting a flat course with a bit of water scattered throughout but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The course is full of elevated tees, dog-legs, just a bunch of really interesting holes and the true sign of a great course that you could easily recant a bunch of them weeks after having played.

The first hole is a nice way to start, not too long but not simple if you’ve not played there before. A downhill par 4, dog-leg to the right. If you miss right you’re in trouble but there’s plenty of space left. It’s a similar theme throughout. There are plenty of holes where you can get your driver out and give it a whack and many others where placement is the order of the day.

The condition of the course was superb, the fairways were in great shape, nice and lush and the greens were firm but soft enough to hold a good iron shot. It is a very hilly course so I  would recommend a buggy or a trolley and because of the hills and the long, winding walks to fairways the pace of play isn’t exactly quick.

The pro shop had all the merchandise you’d want to browse and the clubhouse has a lovely balcony with views of the 18th green and the 1st tee.

We didn’t get to use the driving range because of our own timing but there is one as well as a couple of practice greens for chipping near the 14th hole and a putting green in front of the clubhouse. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable round, a great course and the value for money is excellent at €98 for a guest.