Summary:   Value Rating = B

La Belle (“The Beauty” in English) is said to be the oldest golf course in the Laurentians with the front 9 built in the 1920s.  As an older style course it has its charms and its quirks.  You have to play the course to form your own opinion when its comes to older courses like this.  My personal view is indifferent, as I would prefer to play other newer courses in the area.  Despite my indifference, I’m sure all who have played the course will agree that it offers challenge, especially with its smaller and sloped greens.  I’m not sure I’ve had a straight putt in any of the times I’ve played La Belle.  The price is good, around $55 with cart but my rating is a B because of its quirks and age.  It does offer value at this price compared to the other courses nearby.

The charms include tree lined fairways, nice panoramic views, lush fairways, and elevation changes while the quirks include shorter holes (technology allows players to hit the ball further today than years ago), aspects of the old and dated layout (some congested areas where tees and greens are near each other), and some small greens.  The course is challenging despite some shorter length holes because the greens can be small – hole #17 is an example with its postage stamp size and sloped green.  It is difficult to stay on the green on your approach shot and it is very easy to putt right off the green once you are on.  The course is attractive because of its old style charm and the great views you get of the surrounding area.  You will enjoy hitting down into the valley from the elevated tees.

Play the course in the fall when the leaves are changing – very picturesque views.  You can walk but you might appreciate a cart, with the elevation changes.  Refer to their website www.golflabelleetlabete.com for more information.

Play and Value Evaluation Rating Table

Refer to my evaluation criteria.

Some Details:

I’ve played this course 3 times from the white tees with an average score of 91.  You do need to stay out of the woods along the edges of the course.  You do need to putt from below the hole to give yourself the best shot at sinking a putt.  In most cases the putts break more than you might expect.

La Belle is located in the Mont Tremblant / Saint Jovite area of Quebec.  It does fit nicely into the surrounding Laurentians area.

The first few holes are pretty average with nothing special.  Hole 5 has an elevated tee shot on a dog leg left.  You can hit the ball through the dogleg and some long hitters can reach the green.  Hole 8 is my least favourite hole on the whole course.  In my opinion it is a silly hole. You hit from an elevated tee down into a deep valley which has two water hazards.  Your second shot is back up out of the deep valley to an elevated green on the other side.  I don’t like this hole because I always struggle to make boogie (or worse).

The small green on 17 is a challenge to play.  Another par 3 challenge is 14 where there is very little room for error.  I have seen some shots right of the green that land on the severely sloped hillside and the ball has rolled back onto or near the green (lucky), as well as shots where the ball stays on the hillside leaving you facing an impossible 2nd shot (not so lucky).  I have seen shots come up short and roll all the way down to the valley floor, about 60 or 70 yards down the severely sloped hill.  You’ll feel really good if you come away with a 4 on 14.

Hole 15 has you hitting from an elevated tee with the length of about 250 yards to a sloped fairway.  It is very easy to have your ball land is a safe location with the bounce and roll taking you well right of the green or way to the back of the green near trouble.

Things to get a bit congested and hole 15 and 16 and 18 are examples.  The green on 15 is right beside the tee blocks on 16 and you are well advised to stand behind the protection provided on the 16 tee when players are teeing it up on 15.  At the same time, hole 18 crosses under the base of the tee area on 15 and you need to wary of wayward tee shots that weren’t hit well.

The 9th hole has you hitting up a hillside.  Unless you can hit the ball very long, the average golfer will always have an uphill shot to a green that you can’t see.  Once you are on the 9th green you’ll find this to be one of the better green layouts on the course.

You do need accuracy on La Belle which adds to its challenge.  You won’t need all the clubs in your bag.

My Evaluation Details:

Scenery – The views are particularly enjoyable in the fall when the leaves have turned colour – very spectacular scenery.

Mix of holes – A average mix of holes.

Consistency and condition – The course has been in great shape each time I have played the course.

Character – some charms and quirks given the age of the course.

Golf Challenge – the course does offer some challenges…..

• tee shots – you do need to be accurate off the tee.
• fairway shots – the fairways are lush, in great shape, and reasonably flat with some undulations in the valley fairways.
• pin placements – the greens are generally small and sloped.
• putting – the greens are fast with slopes.
• greens – the condition of the greens was excellent.
• a chance to recover – The rough was thick and fair but if you do end up in the forest you often don’t have a chance to recover even if you can find your ball.  There are some deep ravines / valleys that you must stay out of.

Other Observations

La Belle has a sister course nearby called La Bête – a more modern woodland style course.  A very different look and feel to La Belle.

Sorry no pictures yet.

Comments appreciated – reach me at Lane@lifepast50.ca