Golf de Joyenval

Retz is Joyenval’s wilder course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design with links influence where land contour and ground play become especially important.

Retz was built alongside Marly and opened with the club in 1992. Gaëtan Mourgue d’Algue wanted two courses of comparable standard but opposite character. answered with a layout farther from the clubhouse, facing forest and the Désert de Retz. The work is now preserved with Robert Trent Jones Jr. and the RTJ Society. The course extends nearly two kilometres from the main buildings through natural areas, woodland, clearings and valleys. The Buzot stream appears several times. The landscape feels wilder than Marly, with tall summer rough and exceptional isolation.

Retz uses broad fairways defended by jagged bunkers and rough. Fairway and green contours encourage the running game. Narrow forest holes four and five require strategy, while the dramatic par-three eleventh is often considered the hardest hole on the property. Reference length reaches 6,242 metres and par 72. Available cards also publish 6,204 metres from certain black tees and about 6,064 from white. Length matters, but fast greens, slopes, rough and position create the main test.

Retz belongs to the same premium private club as Marly, with identical conditioning and complete member services. It suits golfers who appreciate less immediately spectacular but more subtle use of natural land movement. 18 holes; par 72; approximately 6,242 metres; Robert Trent Jones Sr. , 1992; links-inspired character; Buzot stream; private access.