Morfontaine (Grand Parcours)

Tom Simpson designed a new 18-hole layout at Morfontaine (now called Le Grand Parcours) and the British Ladies Amateur Champion of 1927, Simone de la Chaume (later to become Mrs Lacoste), struck the first tee shot. Simpson’s design was immediately applauded and his work at Morfontaine is still highly regarded and bracketed alongside many of his other great achievements, including Royal Lytham & St Annes and Ballybunion.

In 1930, 350 people from different nationalities were registered club members. The Duke died in 1962 and in 1987 Morfontaine finally became the property of its members, remaining perhaps the most exclusive club in France with its doors remaining firmly closed to visitors, except if you’re lucky enough to receive an invite from one of its 450 current members.

At some point after the course was laid out, the original par three 3rd was taken out of play (the green was then used for the 9th hole of the Vallière course) and a new par three hole (today's 13th) introduced between the old 13th and 14th holes. The holes were also resequenced, so that the old 1st and 2nd became the new 9th and 10th, with the old 4th becoming the new starting point at today's hole number 1.

Kyle Phillips has recently made some minor changes to holes 10 and 12. The par four 10th has now been lengthened by 50 metres and the par five 12th has also gained a similar length. Further changes were also made to holes 6 and 14 to add a little more length, in an attempt to keep Morfontaine as challenging as it was in Tom Simpson’s day.

At 6,001 metres from the back tees, par 70, Morfontaine is not the longest course in France. Few fairway bunkers really challenge your club selection on the tee, but what the course lacks in difficulty in that respect, it more than makes up for with its strategic approach shots. Most of the big and undulating greens are well defended by bunkers ready to gather balls if the wrong club has been selected. Factor in the ever-present trees and you have a stern test.

After a gentle but long opening par four and two par threes at the 2nd and 4th, the magic really begins and the 7th, 8th and 9th holes are an especially formidable trio. The back nine continues the high quality theme, with the 13th being one of the loveliest short par threes we’ve ever seen.

The book 500 world’s greatest golf holes by author George Peper and the editors of GOLF magazine features the 430-yard par four 7th on Morfontaine’s Grand Parcours layout: “The terrain dictates the challenge on this hole, as boulder-strewn tall grass gives way to an uneven fairway lined by white birch trees. First up is a semi-blind tee shot, played over a rise that slopes from left to right. On a hole that doglegs left, this toughens the drive considerably, as drives are often kicked into the right rough. Though the green is large, its undulating surface leaves few safe places for an approach. A deep bunker guards the left side, and a false front sloping back to the fairway must be carried.”

The original 9-hole course, Le Vallière, is still a gem in its own right and despite being short it is nonetheless a real challenge. Both the 2nd and 4th are cracking short downhill par threes and the 5th is a great two-shotter. These three holes are as good as any that you'll find on the “main” course.

Few will ever get the chance to play this heathland paradise. But, if you happen to befriend a member, make sure you treat him well and then get set for 27 holes of sheer golfing pleasure.