Touquet Golf Club

Fortunately, following major restoration work undertaken in the mid-2010s by architects Patrice Boissonnas and Frank Pont, the authenticity of the course has been restored to this wild corner of the seaside town of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, which is more accustomed to the distinguished hum of holidaymakers rather than the relentless pounding of the waves. This sound, so characteristic of adventure, accompanies golfers on an odyssey that begins with an initial trilogy to stunning effect. It is punctuated by the magnificent 198m par 3 at the 2nd, which could claim the coveted title of signature hole if it didn’t arrive a little too early. That accolade falls to the 10th, another traditional jewel designed as a semi-blind par 3, which precedes a fantastic 422m par 4 on the left-hand bend which, driven from high up, provides a great thrill that is repeated again at the following holes on the return.

Other, somewhat flatter tee-offs nonetheless plunge you into the traditional links atmosphere, with a rugged terrain, jostled here and there by mounds and bunkers, and enclosed right from the off by a suitably inhospitable rough. Even in the absence of wind – which doesn’t happen very often – the course remains formidable, even for the most experienced players. The venue for the French Open on numerous occasions – the most recent of which, in 1977, saw a victory for the very young Severiano Ballesteros – La Mer has given countless champions many a sleepless night. With the exception of a day of grace in 1976 when Scotland’s Sam Torrance set the course record in 63, professionals have often had to contend with a golf course that can be tamed without becoming totally familiar, but which is always a pleasure to rediscover. The hallmark of all truly great courses.

Proof that, despite the ups and downs of the 20th century, the club has always maintained its reputation for excellence. Of course, La Forêt was remodelled many times, undergoing a series of changes that did not help its reputation in the modern era. Fortunately, the long and painstaking work undertaken in the early 2000s by architect Jean-Claude Cornillot has now restored the course to its former glory, with holes that have been lengthened and modified, such as the superb 5th and 16th holes, where the attacking greens have a real impact. On the 16th, for example, a straight 454-metre par 5, the fairway narrows as you approach a magnificently protected green surrounded by trees, illustrating that golf can be a real treasure trove.

Flat and surprisingly simple, it runs through the century-old pine forest of Le Touquet, in the shade of a sun that is more frequent than you might think and sheltered from a wind that is as ever-present as you might expect.  With the development of modern equipment allowing you to hit farther and harder, the course is suitable for all levels and remains easy to reach, although the greens are rather small and well defended. The first three holes surround the club’s most popular course – Le Manoir – a more modest and easier 9-hole course, which is obviously aimed at beginners and golf schools..

But it’s also not unusual to see experienced players sharing their passion with their children. It’s clear that golf is not only a sport for playing, but also for passing on! So the next generation is ready to keep the spirit of an authentic club alive, with its soothing, leafy fairways looking as good as new.