The designer Tom Doak is known across the globe for creating some of the world’s most beautiful golf courses. Having designed courses such as Pacific Dunes, Cape Kidnappers and Barnbougle Dunes, Doak’s definitely knows how to make spectacular set ups and Grand Saint Emilionnais Golf Club is certainly no exception. Doak’s has said that he likes to ‘take advantage of a beautiful site without sorting it” and his minimalist way of designed courses produces stunning results.
STATS
Par : 72
Length : 6,186 yards
Opened for play : 2016
Designer : Tom Doak
This beautiful parkland course is very short as far as modern designs go but what it lacks in length it sure makes up for it in beauty. The glorious 18 hole set up glides through the stunning French countryside and encompasses both the “art de vivre a la francaise” with the British way of playing golf making for an excellent round. The course only opened in 2016 but since then has already received multiple acknowledgements from all over the world with Golf Digest USA ranking it as the 7th best in France and Planet Golf calling it “one of the masterpieces of modern architecture”. The front nine is arguably the better of the 2 as it contains what many perceive as the 4 best holes on the course. Number 2,7 and 8 are are all fantastic golf holes but the par 3, 9th is Grand Saint Emilionnais Golf Club’s signature hole. The green is set over water meaning the tee shot requires careful consideration when it comes to club selection and stroke play in order to avoid the hazard and give yourself a chance of birdie. Furthermore, after the round the clubhouse is the perfect place to enjoy a a post round drink due to its beautiful setting in the countryside of Southwest France, and it is no surprise that many golfers sit for hours outside after the golf.
