Golf Club Hossegor sits deep in the pine forests of south west France, yet step onto the first tee and it has a real English heathland feel, more like Wentworth or Sunningdale than you'd expect this close to the Atlantic. That's down to John Morrison, who laid out the course in 1930 and brought a distinctly British sensibility to the sandy soil of Les Landes.
That sandy base is the secret sauce. It drains superbly, keeping the course firm and playable even when the weather turns, and it tends to stay in good nick year-round. Off the tee, natural corridors thread through mature pine and oak, so accuracy counts. Miss the fairway and the recovery can be awkward, with blocked approaches or tricky stances rather than a simple pitch back into play.
The greens are understated rather than theatrical, with subtle contours that reward precise distance control and punish anything above the hole. Morrison's bunkering is strategic rather than penal, placed to catch the loose tee shot or punish the greedy approach, and the layout has aged gracefully over nine decades. The trees are now fully grown, the course has settled into its landscape, and when the Atlantic breeze picks up it becomes a proper thinking golfer's test, especially for those who like shaping shots rather than simply launching driver everywhere.
I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for this kind of old-school routing through the pines. If you're building a south west France trip, Hossegor is a cracking change of pace from the nearby links, with a heritage feel that still comes across as properly authentic rather than polished for tourists. You're also within easy reach of the Basque Coast, with Biarritz close by if you fancy beaches and nightlife after your round. It's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a 'day two' round when you want something strategic and tree-lined before heading back to the coast. If you want to add Hossegor to a multi-course break in the area, it's an easy win for variety.
Who is this for?
Golfers who appreciate classic heathland architecture and want to experience a piece of British design in the heart of south west France.
Who is it best for?
Mid-to-low handicappers who enjoy strategic, tree-lined courses and value course conditioning and heritage over resort facilities. Also suits anyone planning a multi-course tour of the region who wants variety beyond links golf.
