Neufchâtel-Hardelot

Hardelot Golf Club

Practice

29 Tees (9 covered)

Putting green

Location de golfettes

Club house

restaurant, pro shop, changing room

Just 20km from its big sister Le Touquet, the seaside resort of Hardelot-Plage is increasingly popular with golfers, who are attracted by two remarkable and very distinct courses. Between the English-style classicism of Les Pins, a finely chiselled ode to the age-old game of golf, and the American-style modernism of Les Dunes, a rougher, more spectacular tribute to the game of today, enthusiasts of the little white ball will come away from the course having explored its different facets.

Les Pins keeps growing

The spectacular tee shot from the tower of Hardelot’s château is now a thing of the past, as is the 9-hole course that was built around it at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, however, its history still belongs to the present. Founded in 1906, the club bounced back after the turmoil of the First World War, in a forest then devoid of any fairways. At the end of the 1920s, the English architect Tom Simpson designed a magnificent 18-hole course – Les Pins – which was considered a masterpiece from the outset.

The only problem is that a course evolves over time, and the original design sometimes suffers the ravages of encroaching nature or supposedly necessary human intervention. Ultimately, it’s easier to tear down a masterpiece than to improve it. The restoration of Les Pins proves the contrary. The admirable work of architects Patrick Boissonnas and Frank Pont is nothing short of miraculous.

To restore the subtleties of a course inaugurated in 1931, they have stepped up the number of improvements and brightened up the outlook to give new life to a work of art that was in danger of being stifled. A veritable renaissance that has made the site one of the most sought-after in Europe. Admittedly, their work can sometimes escape the untrained eye, but the particular nature of the contours of the greens and the jagged bunkers, which appear like 3D water-colours, are all remarkable trademarks of a course set amidst dunes and a picturesque pine forest.

The Les Pins course is a real journey into the history of English golf. Surrounded by century-old trees covered in heather and ferns, planted in the sandy soil of the Hardelot national forest, the golfer is invited to play in harmony with the elements without having to fight them. A certain deference is called for, and the delicacy of the shots should not be seen as a sign of weakness, but rather of intelligence.

The many trompe-l’oeil holes invite you to favour precision over power, even on the long par 5s and short par 4s, such as this highly original hole 15, which invites you to drive straight to the green… At least, there’s no room for hesitation on the magnificent par 3s, veritable masterpieces that are more impressive than they are challenging. From their tees, the ultimate function of golfing architecture becomes apparent, that of an invitation to action and admiration. Another little miracle.

After the never-ending thrill of the par 3 17th, you’ll be brimming with different emotions as you stroll along the spectacular 18th towards a clubhouse that’s due to be rebuilt in the near future. Between past, present and future, Les Pins is one of those century-old courses that never cease to provide a magical journey for our hearts and minds.

A little taste of America

While the Les Pins course has been magnificently brought up to date, 2 km away, the Les Dunes course is undergoing the same transformation. The difference is that this is not a question of restoration, but rather of profound change. These changes are all the more audacious given that holes have been replaced and greens relaid even though the evolution of the course is not yet complete! Opened in 1991 as a complement to Les Pins, this creation by Belgian Paul Rollin and Frenchman Jean-Claude Cornillot more than fulfils that role today. While the difference in quality between the two resorts is minimal, the preference of an essentially British clientele for Les Dunes is increasingly tangible. The reasons are no longer based on quality, given the excellent upkeep: it’s simply a question of taste.

Of course, the hilly woodland environment, in stark contrast to the familiar links and even heathland courses in England, provides the perfect touch of originality for His Majesty’s subjects. But it would be simplistic to regard Les Dunes as a mere change of scenery. Over the years, it has become a much-loved golf course with its own personality. And those lucky enough to have played it agree that this is a particularly great course!

On the Côte d’Opale, where diversity is paramount, Les Dunes offers a wide variety of holes and is not just a second choice. It is a favourite with golf enthusiasts who want to enjoy a variety of experiences. The first (or the last, as the case may be) is the extraordinary view from the clubhouse terrace, which faces the uphill Hole 1 and the downhill Hole 18, where the presence of a water feature is in many ways reminiscent of the style of modern golf course architecture on the other side of the Atlantic. This is particularly true of the outward leg, which is inspired by the very best American parkland courses.

There, we’ve said it: America! In this little pocket of land renowned for being so quintessentially British, the term may seem out of place, but it is nonetheless quite evident. The strategic shots, where you need to know your distances well to guarantee success in the art of target golf, reveal a tormented environment of elevated tees, doglegs of varying degrees of severity, valleys and sloping fairways, bodies of water and elevated greens. It’s a constant challenge, just like the incredible par 5 on the 3rd, which takes place in the middle of an impressive natural setting, with the pine forest acting as judge and jury. In fine weather, when the foliage is at its best and the sun shines through the immensity of the pines, you’re left dumbfounded by such magnificence. At times, it’s as if you’re back in Augusta, in the throes of a spectacular golfing adventure.