Evian Champions Course is located by Lake Geneva and has some spectacular views of the lake. It is close to the Hotel Royal Evian where we stayed. The resort also has a wonderful golf academy about 1 km from the golf course which is one of the best I have visited in Europe.
EVIAN GOLF ACADEMY
Evian Golf Academy is run by David Leadbetter. Above picture of the large putting green in front of the offices, reception and golf store. I had my grips changed at the academy and they were very efficient. Below the picture of the driving range where they have trackman installed and you can connect through the app. Great feature and really nice to practice with. They also have a driving range at the bottom, several chipping and pitching areas. Overall a great practice facility.
Some of the nice views of the academy course and Lake Geneva.
EVIAN CHAMPIONS COURSE
Hole 1
The first hole is a straight par 4 measuring 399 meters from the yellow tees.
I hit my driver into the right hand rough and was blocked out by trees, so I hit a 7 iron down the fairway on the other side. That left me with a short pitch shot to the green but I could not get it close to the hole. A 2 putt for bogey on the opening hole.
HOLE 2
The second hole is great par 3 measuring 151 meters. It is a very elevated tee shot so I hit a gap wedge to the left hand side of the green. The green has a great deal of undulation and I 3 putted the hole. The views are amazing and a great looking par 3.
HOLE 3
The third hole is a par 4 measuring 323 meters. My tee shot ended up in the fairway bunker and I made bogey from there.
HOLE 4
Evian Champions Course hole 4 is a par 4 measuring 383m. I hit a good drive and a really good 7 iron approach shot to setup a gimmie birdie putt.
HOLE 3 - best par 3 on Evian Champions Course
Hole 3 is a stunning par 3 with water, flowers and the mountains in the background. A well designed hole playing 166m. My 7 iron tee shot reached the right hand side of the green and I 2 putted for par.
HOLE 7
The 7th hole is a good par 5, 525 meters long. It is a narrow tee shot with bunkers on the right hand side. My tee shot was good but unfortunately I could not follow that up with my second shot that was way right. I had to chip out sideways and made bogey.
HOLE 9
The 9th hole is an uphill par 3. The pin was located on the left hand corner of the green as you can see from the picture. You get a glimpse of Lake Geneva from the green.
I thought my tee shot was going to be really good but I went over the green and was left with a difficult chip shot to the pin location. Another bogey added to the scorecard.
BACK NINE ON EVIAN CHAMPIONS COURSE
HOLE 10
The 10th is a slight dogleg right and has no bunkers on the hole. I missed my tee shot way to the left with trees blocking out my possibility to get to the green. I laid up and made bogey.
HOLE 14
14th hole is a good looking par 3 with with nice views. There is a group of bunkers on the right and you want to avoid being long as the greens is elevated. I missed my tee shot to the right and made bogey.
HOLE 16
The 16th is another beautiful par 3 with water in front and bunkers protecting for long shots. It was only playing 120m but the green is also quite narrow so you need a good precise shot. I managed to hit a decent wedge and get a par.
HOLE 17
The 17th is a slight dogleg right and an interesting hole. It is only playing 314m but the fairway is narrow and the green is elevated. I decided to take driver and went over the corner on the right hand side. That left me with a short pitch shot and good views of the green. I made par.
HOLE 18
The finishing hole is a fantastic par 5. You have a blind drive which is quite narrow with trees on both sides. If you manage to hit a good tee shot you will be able to go for the green in two. The green is well protected with water in front and bunkers. I managed the first part and had a 4 iron to the green which I completely mishit. That left me with a 9 iron approach shot that I played safely to the left side of the green. I then hit a seriously good long putt to hole out for birdie – what a finish to this really good hole.
MY EXPERIENCE
Evian Champions Course is a good challenge. The course was in really good shape. It was playing fair with difficult rough, good greens and bunkers.
I made 3 birdies and way too many bogeys on my way to shooting 82. My game was really up and down during the round and I was actually satisfied with an 82 as I felt it could have been worse. I especially like the finishing holes and overall it is a good course that I would like to play again to improve my score. We will definitely be back again to stay at the Hotel Royal as this was a fantastic experience.
MY SCORE
