152 - Le Golf National

Location: Paris, France

Rating: 8.3

2018 Ryder Cup course, it looked great on TV and arguably better in real life. The vista of the 15th and 18th greens joined and surrounded by water is a really incredible design and two very interesting holes. Both fairways lined with water on one side, narrowing around the distance of a good driver, they’re perfectly designed risk reward holes. Hit a good drive and you’re in prime position for a birdie or eagle and go narrowly offline and your ball will be swimming.

The course is kind of a linksy course with rolling dunes and raised greens injected with a healthy dose of water hazards. The linksy holes were much more forgiving than what I remember from the Ryder Cup where the rough had been trimmed to allow for the everyday golfer not having to spend hours looking for their ball but still not so forgiving because the rough areas were generally on a slope.

The course is still in glorious condition, lovely carpet-like fairways and greens running very well. There is the slight disturbance of an airport nearby but honestly I was so entrenched in playing the course that it didn’t really bother me.

As you’d expect from a course of this nature, the practice facilities were great, 2 driving ranges (who needs 1?!), pitching, chipping and putting areas. Coupled with this a lovely pro shop, could’ve spent a fortune in there. At €125 a round on the Albatross course I think it’s great value to say that you’ve played a Ryder Cup course and a great one at that.