Courson (Vert & Noir)

The golf at Courson-Monteloup was created by one of France’s largest sports clubs, Le Stade Français. Robert von Hagge was commissioned to design four loops of nine holes and they opened for play in 1991. Courson is located a mere 45 kilometres to the south of the heart of Paris, so this is a very popular club with Parisians.

The Green and Black (Vert & Noir) course is widely considered to form the better layout, but the Lilac and Orange layout is also a very solid test, albeit somewhat shorter in length.

The earth certainly moved for von Hagge as part of the development of this huge site and the Vert and Noir course comprises of an excellent American-styled layout which stretches out beyond 6,500 metres from the tips. Choose your tee box carefully as some of the two-shot holes can be brutal, especially playing into the prevailing wind.

Von Hagge created mounds running alongside many of the fairways in a links-like style and this has created an interesting almost self-contained feeling to many of the holes. With enormous, multi-tiered greens that are often well protected by bunkers, approach play is key to a good score here at Courson. Let’s hope the greenkeepers are not feeling too wicked when you play otherwise you can expect a few three putts or worse!