Golf de l’Ailette

I had a shocking holiday at Center Parcs, mainly due to family illness and injury but I booked 18 holes at Lac de L'ailette for a break as it is visible from the resort and vice versa. It was 35€ and I booked the earliest time they had. Even so I turned up early (for a sooner return to the family) and wandered onto the tee at about 07:30, proceeding unobserved and alone with the course empty apart from an army of grounds staff. Due to family luggage, I could only pack a half set and carry bag but I'm glad I did, mainly as it meant that my driver was not around to tempt me, becasuse I love hitting it and there was plenty of trouble in the trees, which I only visited once. So I played well, mainly due to my Srixon 21 degree hybrid utility, and as a result I can give it a glowing report. The first was nice and simple and gave me the opportunity to gauge my swing that day and test my Metres to Yards conversion. Like a geek I had worked out my distances with all my 1/2 set in metres the day before and figured out what I expected to play on the par 3s. Then I came to the second and what a lovely sight...a par 3 with a 5 iron directly towards the blue lake and morning sun. The greens had been sanded but appeared huge, undulating and true. The second and third skirted fairly flatly along the shore with lovely views and clearly irrigated fairways, with five taking you back inland to the clubhouse. Six to nine form an inland loop, the trees and lake being replaced by huge hills and bunkers. Ten to eighteen are back with the trees and lake. Fourteen is another treacherous but beautiful par three towards the lake with water everywhere. Fifteen has a huge carry from the tee over the lake to the fairway which would be even more scary from the whites...but I had elected to use the yellows, phew! Lastly I have to mention the 17th. Corny but again it is a long carry over the water to the green on this par 3. You pass it earlier in the round so you know it is coming...and that you can be observed from several other tees. Survived! Course in great condition with great fairways, tees and greens. Bunkers were attractive, if you like bunkers. Greens were receptive but due to the irrigation, not much run on the fairways in the morning. I hope this encourages you to play here. Sorry but I did not go in the clubhouse or meet anyone. All I know is what the course is like without all the baggage...and it was great.

My wife and I visited Golf de l'Ailette in late September. We thoroughly enjoyed the course and the staff were extremely welcoming. The course had suffered from a great deal of rainfall but stood up fairly well. Golf de l'Ailette is a challenging course with beautiful views and many water hazards. The only drawback is that it no longer accepts 2 for 1 vouchers, despite what is said on this site and in the 2 for 1 brochure. I was told by the receptionist that they had stopped accepting them in 1996!

A beautiful golf course. The course is very decieving as the 1st hole is quite straightforward. From then on, there is a mixture of tight fairways, lots of tree lined holes and an awful lot of water . The back 9 holes are a very strong challenge even for the best golfer. The setting is excellent and the course was in perfect condition. There is a very relaxed dress code (i.e. jeans, shorts are acceptable) and the clubhouse serves excellent food. There is also a nice driving range and small 9-hole course. Highly recomended !!