I was lucky enough to be invited to play Le Golf National a couple of years ago in my role as Golf Manager at Wegolf. It was in 2022, ahead of the annual European golf tourism trade show that Wegolf attends every year.

A massive property owned by the French Golf Federation, it features a hotel that was completely remodeled for the 2018 Ryder Cup and boasts two 18-hole courses: Albatross and Aigle. It also has a 9-hole course called L’Oiselet and a world-class practice area. Fortunately, all these courses are open to the public.

The Albatross course, where the Ryder Cup and the Olympics were played, was designed by architects Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge, in collaboration with Pierre Thevenin. It is located in the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines neighborhood, about an hour's drive from the center of Paris.

I had the 2018 Ryder Cup very fresh in my memory, with Europe's crushing victory over the USA led by the Molinari and Fleetwood duo. I had also watched videos of the course in the previous days to enjoy it more—and of course, because of my anxiety! I thought I knew what to expect: a rather narrow course with a lot of water.

It was exactly like that, but multiplied by ten! A month earlier, the world junior amateur championship had been played here, and there was still a lot of thick rough left over from that tournament. The course was set up longer and narrower than usual.

Already at the 1st tee, my legs were shaking. Between all the staff from the organization, the dark green rough to the right of the fairway, and the water bordering the left—cutting off the fairway at 220 yards—the pressure was on. In those conditions, you had to hit a shot of no more than 220 yards, and straight as the Eiffel Tower. Once again, my great ally for several years now, my hybrid, got me out of trouble. About 210 yards to the middle. My adventure at Le Golf National had started well.

From then on, the course intimidates you the entire time. From the tee boxes, from the middle of the fairway, and if you are in the rough, it is much worse. Water everywhere, very narrow, and quite long. I don't remember hitting drive and wedge on any par 4. And all of this while knowing that every mistake comes with a penalty.

I remember playing with an operator from South Korea who, by the 13th tee, had already run out of balls! He had to ask the starter to go buy him more at the pro shop (which, by the way, is very good and very complete).

While I say all this, I also say the course is very playable. I found it difficult but fair. No "tricks" or anything "hidden." Each hole is exactly what you see. If you are hitting it straight, you can have a good day. Making a good score is very difficult because every error carries the penalty of hitting it into the water, so double bogey is always lurking. But if you execute your shots well, the course lets you play. There is space in the fairways, and the greens are large and not overly undulating.

With a Stadium-style design, many "island" greens, and lots of elevation changes... It is very demanding but fun.

I would say the closest thing I have played in Argentina is Buenos Aires GC, especially the Yellow course. But even then, Le Golf National seemed much more intimidating and penalizing.

If you are in Paris, try to fit in a round there. And make sure to bring plenty of balls!