Played by NCG: Souillac
Reason for a Souillac Golf Club review
I was on a three-day press trip to the Dordogne and Souillac Golf & Country Club was our base for the duration of our visit.
Where is Souillac Golf Club?
The four-star resort is located in the tranquil department of Lot, a 10-minute drive from the Dordogne River and close to other places of interest, including Rocamadour, Sarlat and Collonges-la-Rouge.
What to expect
You’ll need plenty of sustenance to tackle Souillac’s course. It’s hilly. In fact, it’s very hilly. But it’s also incredibly beautiful and asks fair and difficult questions in equal measure.
You’ll need accuracy from the tee as it feels like the course has been dropped seamlessly into the middle of a forest. Trees are a constant, imposing presence and the chirps, squeaks and rustling of various animals adds to its charm.
The greens are tight and the rough penal, so pack plenty of golf balls.
However, this is countered by Souillac’s enchanting setting.
Favourite hole
@SouillacGolf très bien ??
Very hilly but absolutely stunning. The par-3 17th, pictured with the Dordogne in the backdrop, was my highlight #PlayedbyNCG #France #Golf #GolfinFrance pic.twitter.com/kvr1Fp341b— James Broadhurst (@jbroadhurstNCG) May 16, 2018
The standout moment arrives on the par 3-17th. You have to hit a blind tee shot and cross your fingers that your ball (probably your sixth one at this stage) finds the putting surface.
The scene that opens up before you as you stride to the green is spectacular; the infinity green leads to a panoramic view of rolling green hills of the Dordogne and, for the first time ever, a par was quickly pushed from my mind as I paused to snap several more pictures on my iPhone.
My best bit
I managed to hit one of the best shots of my life on the par-4 8th.
The hole doglegs to the right and the green is tucked away with two bunkers protecting any approach down the left.
I attempted to cut the corner with my tee – possible for long hitters – but I ended up short in the rough on the right.
With a blind second shot, I gave my Ping Crossover as a big whack as I could summon.
I was unaware until I was walking up to the green that I had hit the shot pin high just on the edge of the putting surface.
I then somehow proceeded to three-putt my way to a five.
What to look for
I would strongly recommend you hire a buggy, or at the very least a trolley. Some of the climbs can feel brutal, especially if the sun is beating down.
But you are rewarded spectacularly for the physical strain with picture-perfect views of the Dordogne and dramatic holes shaped by the forest and various water features.
When I go back
I will play ultra conservatively off the tee as anything I hit off line invariably ended in trouble and resulted in a blob on my scorecard.
With tight, tree-lined fairways and penal rough, just keeping the ball in play is half the battle at Souillac.
Played by NCG: Kedleston Park
Played by NCG: Gailes Links
