The National at The National Golf Club of Louisiana

The National Golf Club of Louisiana sits in Westlake, a small city across the Calcasieu River from Lake Charles in southwestern Louisiana. Designed by Dave Bennett and opened in the early 2000s, the course occupies land characteristic of the coastal plain region—relatively flat terrain with stands of pine and hardwood, punctuated by wetlands and water features that reflect the area's proximity to both river systems and the Gulf Coast.

Bennett's routing works within the natural topography, incorporating the native vegetation and water hazards into a layout that emphasizes strategic shot-making over forced carries. The design takes advantage of prevailing winds common to this part of Louisiana, where weather patterns moving inland from the Gulf can influence play throughout much of the year. Several holes feature elevated greens and mounding that add dimension to an otherwise modest landscape, while bunker placement rewards accuracy from the tee and on approach shots.

The National serves as a semi-private facility in a region where golf options are more limited than in Louisiana's urban centers. The club provides a home course for local members while remaining accessible to visitors exploring the Lake Charles area. Its location near Interstate 10, roughly midway between Houston and Baton Rouge, makes it a convenient stop for travelers, though it remains primarily a regional amenity rather than a destination layout. The course reflects the straightforward, playable design philosophy common to many Bennett projects across the South.