Can you play the Olympic golf courses?

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Big week for golf.

After the mixed messages of the game's relaunch at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 and the Covid-silenced celebrations in Tokyo in 2020 (2021), the Paris Games feel like an opportunity for golf to finally enjoy the biggest festival of all. in sports.

But can you play the Olympic course for yourself?

Simple answer: yes. It is not clear if it will happen in Rio and Tokyo, but Paris is a real possibility.

Rio 2016

Remember how many times, even during the Games themselves, there have been low rumors of the future of Ryder Cup hosting courses?

At Celtic Manor in 2010 it didn't seem like there was a single person in the area who didn't have a good story or another: the course would be sold, houses would be built on it, the lounge would be closed, etc. .

Much of the same is said about Rio's Olympic Golf Course, which was built specifically for the sport's re-introduction to the Olympics eight years ago.

But, like Celtic Manor, the tittle-tattle was nonsense.

Good news for Brazil and good news, too, for sports because the building was built by Gil Hanse who also designed Castle Stuart (for a while he is the manager of the Scottish Open) and the highly respected Streamsong in Florida; he also redesigned major league champions Baltusrol, Oakmont, Oakland Hills, Southern Hills, Brookline and Winged Foot.

The course is flat, with sweeping fairways including the Old Course inspired by the Valley of Sin. Inbee Park and Olympic energy inspired by Justin Rose won gold there.

Playing the course isn't cheap – around £100 for international visitors and half that for locals – but you'll be following in the footsteps of Park, Rose and silver medalists Lydia Ko and Henrik Stenson.

Tokyo 2020

The Tokyo Olympics, of course, were delayed and took place in the summer of 2021, amid much quieter scenes because no fans were allowed on site (or any Olympic sites that year).

Unlike in Rio the host course has a long history being the 80-year-old Kasumigaseki Country Club nestled among the Musashino Hills in Kawagoe City.

The venue was a delight for Hideki Matsuyama who in 2021 won Japan's first men's Masters tournament and won two major events at Kasumigaseki – the 2009 Japan Junior Championship and the 2010 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship.

Alas, he missed out on the bronze medal in the seven-man qualifier.

When the course hosted the 1957 World Cup (which is the World Cup) hay bales protected the greens every night but for three days it was state of the art.

However, it has a grassy lawn that grows in different directions so direct hitting is necessary.

The famous British architect CH Alison redesigned the original structure and made a point of creating difficult bunkers.

One low point: when Tom Fazio redesigned the Olympic course he did away with the strange Japanese custom of two greens on each hole. This was intended to allow year-round golf but, again, modern greens could cope with changing weather conditions and Fazio ended the tradition as a result.

You can play the course but it will seem tricky. The club can be contacted by email and that is the best idea unless you have a Japanese speaking acquaintance who can help you use the tee time booking site. Expect to pay at least £150 again for the round to be an all-day affair.

Paris 2024

The championship course at Golf National has always been popular with European and DP World Tour players, a modern venue with great playability and great threat on the back nine.

When it hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup that name rose to the top.

The course was still good for the players, but the characteristics of the course proved to be very good for the spectators who lined the banks around the tees, fairways and greens.

There's a links-like aspect to the course, with bouncy turf and sweeping fairways, but it's also more prone to water hazards.

The opening shot must skirt the pond, the approach must cross that water, as does the 3 second tee shot.

The closing four holes are very similar: 15 has water in the shot and approach, the short 16 needs to be carried over the lake with a tee shot, and, after a break in the water on 17, there is a big threat of splash. with a tee shot and approaches 18.

If you're playing, pack plenty of ammo – you might need it.

As it stands now, you'll be paying around £180 for the chance to follow in the footsteps of Ryder Cup and Olympic legends. But look for special offers and packages.

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