Continental Europe's Top 20 golf courses: Chantilly, Noordwijkse and Paris National

9. Chantilly (Vineuil)

Architect: Tom Simpson GF: From €100 W: golfdechantilly.com

This early, tree-lined Tom Simpson design is defined by its deep and formidable bunkering and large, undulating greens. Currently celebrating its centenary, Chantilly is a classic parkland course and the club is renowned for its wonderful atmosphere.

10. Noordwijkse

Architect: Frank Pennink GF: €120 W: noordwijksegolfclub.nl

Although the course had to be relocated in 1972, happily it didn’t have to move far and was still able to unfold over a superb tract of undulating dune land. Variety comes via a handful of holes running through the pines to the east, but this remains a classic, true test of links golf.

11. Paris National (Albatross)

Architect: Hubert Chesneau GF: €80-€120 W: golf-national.com

The Albatross, one of the first ‘stadium’ courses, offers a severe test of golf which has acted as the annual venue for the French Open since 1991 for all but a couple of occasions. Fashioned over a less-than-inspiring original parcel of land, much has been made of water hazards and artificial sculpting which have resulted in an excellent and challenging layout that is best described as an ‘inland links’.

The carefully sculpted Paris National