Golf de Moliets

About the club

The area near Biarritz in southwestern France has long been a haven for golfers, and Moliets is one of the more recent courses to be built here. Despite its proximity to the ocean, no attempt has been made to make of it a links; instead, American designer Robert Trent Jones threaded his holes along open ground close to the coastline and amid the evergreens. Jones' design is very much in the style of courses in his native country, for which reason it fails to blend well with the surrounding vintage courses. Criticism can also be made of Jones' ornate bunkers, which look artificial, and are likely expensive to keep in shape. Nevertheless, the locale is perfect, and at least four of the holes by the sea are quite lovely. In general, ample fairways make for brisk play, though be prepared for long transits from hole to hole. An adjoining nine is perfect for newbies.