Le Golf National is a famous golf club in France that hosts the Open de France every October. The latest edition takes place this week (October 10-13).
The relatively new club opened 34 years ago (1990) and has already seen many of the sport’s top players take to it.
Le Golf National’s biggest occasions to date were the 2018 Ryder Cup – where Europe thrashed the USA from start to finish – and the Paris 2024 Olympics – where Scottie Scheffler won gold.
The Golfing Gazette tells you everything you need to know about Le Golf National ahead of the FedEx Open de France 2024.
Le Golf National location
Where is Le Golf National?
Le Golf National is located in Guyancourt, around 20 miles southwest of France’s capital city – Paris.
Nearest airport to Le Golf National
Le Golf National is about a 30-minute drive away from Paris-Orly Airport (ORY).
However, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is much larger and more likely to have flights to and from your location. It is still only around an hour away from the golf course by car.
How to play Le Golf National
Can anyone play Le Golf National?
Le Golf National is open to the public and there are no handicap requirements. Tee times can be booked online.
How many courses are there at Le Golf National?
There are 45 holes at Le Golf National, across three courses. The most famous is L’Albatros (the Albatross), which is used for the Open de France and other elite competitions. The course plays 7,247 yards and the par score is 71.
L’Aigle (the Eagle) is the second 18-hole course at the club. It is a par 71 with a yardage of only 6,224, making it much less of a challenge than the Albatross.
L’Oiselet (the Birdie) is a short nine-hole course with a total par of 32. The length of the Birdie is 2,138 yards, at an average of 238 yards per hole.
Le Golf National Prices
How much is a round at Le Golf National?
The cost of playing a round on the Albatross course at Le Golf National varies depending on the time of year. In the days after the Olympics, the price was €280,00, while it was reduced to €210,00 in the Autumn.
A round on the Eagle course costs much less – €92,00 even at peak times. Caddies are also available on either course for €160 per player.
How much is a membership at Le Golf National?
The cost of annual membership at Le Golf National is unknown but it will certainly not come cheap.
Tournaments at Le Golf National
Paris 2024 Olympics
Scottie Scheffler won the men’s golf gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with yet another spectacular performance.
Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood took home the silver medal and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won bronze after an epic final day.
Ryder Cup 2018
In 2018, the Ryder Cup was held in Continental Europe for the first time since the 1997 edition at Valderrama Golf Club, Spain – which recently hosted LIV Golf Andalucia.
Le Golf National turned out to be an excellent host as the contest between Europe and the USA was as thrilling as ever.
The score finished 17.5 – 10.5 in favour of Europe, with Francesco Molinari (five points) and Fleetwood (four points) playing incredibly well.
Open de France
The Open de France is an annual tournament that debuted in 1906. It has been held at Le Golf National since 1991, with the likes of Fleetwood (2017), Graeme McDowell (2013, 2014) and two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal (2001) having won the event previously.
Justin Rose and Billy Horschel will compete for the prestigious title in 2024, alongside up-and-coming Frenchmen Victor Perez and Matthieu Pavon.
Who designed Le Golf National?
Le Golf National was designed by Hubert Chesneau, Robert von Hagge and Pierre Thevenin.
Construction of the golf club started in the summer of 1987 but it was not opened by former Olympic sprinter and then-Minister of Youth and Sports Roger Bambuck until October 1990.
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