Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

Rankings: 

   

The Takeaway:  Despite boasting heavily fabricated architecture with artificial features abounding, the Old course at Les Bordes manages to deliver a memorable experience that is mostly known for its difficulty and tranquil setting.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Robert Von Hagge 1986

Cost:  Private

Phone Number:  +33 2 54 87 7213

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Les Bordes Golf Club (Old)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - Les Petits, Les Grands Rondis, Saint-Laurent-Nouan, Loiret  41220 – FRANCE

Photos:  See additional photos of Les Bordes Golf Club (Old)

What to Expect:  The Old course at Les Bordes was designed by Robert von Hagge in 1986 when heavy handed architecture was the norm. Create artificial mounding, put in a multitude of water hazards, and make sure the course wins at the end of the day were all trademarks of the decade; and Les Bordes reflects that. While at many courses that amount of heavily fabricated work would be a pure distraction, at Les Bordes it has the same effect as TPC Sawgrass by giving character and interest to otherwise boring terrain. The result is a course that will challenge the best of players with water coming into play on ⅔ of the holes including fronting the first three one-shotters. The lines of play are clear from the tee while leaving the fairway results in a lost ball more often than not. Perhaps the feature that stands out as the best is simply the setting. There is a feeling of complete seclusion at Les Bordes with the silence only broken by the crack of a ball launching off the face of a club. Carts are available to use on the Old course which should save your legs before embarking on the New course which requires walking. Ultimately, the Old course at Les Bordes is a treat to play with several memorable holes and features, however that is offset by the artificial nature of the design and an overdone amount of water hazards and features included in an effort to put teeth into the challenge.

By the Numbers

Tees	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Black	72	7044	75.4	150
Grey	72	6589	73.3	143
Blue (Ladies)	72	5011	70.0	129

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  14th Hole – 558 Yard Par 5 – The par fives are loaded with risk/reward opportunities but none is greater than perhaps what the 14th offers. Players can use the left edge of the fairway bunker as a line to take in order to find the prime position to make an important decision. The approach plays to an island green with no sand around it to catch balls that aren't coming in with the appropriate distance and spin, so there has to be a load of confidence to pull the trigger trying to get home in two. Players that lay up find the fairway terminating 50 yards before the green and a pair of fairway bunkers 100 yards from the green that need to be avoided. Conquering this hole with a birdie or par will surely put a smile on your face.

Best Par 3:  13th Hole – 185 Yards – The last of the par threes to play over water, the 13th features a green length bunker on the right and water up the left, so there is no room erring with your accuracy. There is a small hill in the back to slow balls down that may be coming in hot or from players that want to take plenty of club to clear the water.

Best Par 4:  6th Hole – 385 Yards – The 6th hole on Les Bordes' Old course is iconic due to the large gravestone that is found in a waste area within the bunker that lines the entire right side of the fairway. The tee shot plays to a raised fairway before requiring a forced carry over a natural area to a unique green that is only 10-15 yards wide and 50 yards long. The hole isn't very long but will require precision to walk off with success.

Best Par 5:  7th Hole – 554 Yards – The 7th is a 90 degree dogleg left with a do or die decision that is made on the second shot. The tee shot ends 275 yards from the tips, so many players will elect to hit less than driver to find the fairway to set up a critical decision. Players going for the green in two will have a lake to carry the entire distance to the putting surface with no room for forgiveness. Longer hitters won't require a fairway wood to get home, but a long iron will certainly be in play and can reward players with an eagle putt if they flush one. Players that aren't as confident can lay up to the second fairway that runs perpendicular to the first and set up a third shot that is easier to manage with the water now coming into play on the left side of the green. I'd love to see this hole late in the round of a match play event, but regardless of where it is found, it is a lot of fun to play with all sorts of numbers that can be recorded on a scorecard.

Birdie Time:  4th Hole – 165 Yard Par 4 – Though half of the green is surrounded by water, the 4th is still a hole where you have a great opportunity to stick a shot close to the flag. Tipping out at 165 yards, players should have a club they are comfortable being aggressive with, especially with the knowledge that there is plenty of room to miss left if execution isn't spot on. This bunkerless hole is the first of three one-shotters that play over water, but the easiest to score on.

Bogey Beware:  18th Hole – 447 Yard Par 4 – Von Hagge doesn't ever relent on his demand that you bring your 'A' game, including on the final hole. This lengthy par four features a pond between the tee and fairway that is carried ideally with a little draw that follows the bend to the left in the fairway. Water then comes into play once again with an approach shot to a green fronted by a pond with the water continuing up the entire right side. Bailing out long or left will put you in the sand, so you'll need to hit a quality shot to find this green in regulation. If the pin is ever put in the sliver of green found in the back right between the sand and water, it would qualify as the biggest sucker pin I've ever seen.