Le Gouverneur (Montaplan)

Set in the very quiet and wildlife-friendly region of La Dombes, Montaplan is the second course of the Domaine du Gouverneur. Designed by Didier Fruchet, it opened in the early nineties and offers a slightly more understated golf test than its championship sister course Le Breuil. On slightly undulating terrain, there is a mix of forest and water landscapes, offering both a good golf challenge and an opportunity to see a range of water wildlife from muskrats to various species of herons, ducks and coots. You may occasionally spot deer scampering out of the woods if you are lucky enough.

The Montaplan layout departs a little from modern tradition: the 9th does not lead back to the clubhouse, and the three par fives are all part of the first nine holes which have a total par of 37 versus only 34 for the second nine. Despite this apparent imbalance, both halves offer the amateur golfer a good run for the money, with a number of successive water hazards on the back nine (holes 11 to 15) contrasting with the more open front nine. Most greens are larger than average, allowing for many, sometimes well-protected pin positions.