Golf Hotel de Seignosse

I've had a charmed life and have been lucky enough to have played some incredible golf courses. Seignosse though is simply the best! Great course, great people and I wouldn't change a single hole or any aspect of the course. I first played it in the 90s and have returned many, many times. I still get excited, I still dream of the place and miss it when I can't get down there! I've seen Ollie practice there before the Masters and what a recommendation that is! It's challenging, beautiful, exciting and everything that you would want from 18 holes of golf! I'm there next Thursday....and can't wait!! Thank you Seignosse for so many memories and a 79, which included a finish of 5,5,5,and a very nervous 5 to finish to break 80! What a night in Hossegor followed. Handicap 12.

I first played Seignosse back in 2001 on a weekend break, after a particularly wet period in France. Thankfully we got great weather, and although parts of the course, at that time, were under water (notably the entrance to the 3rd fairway) my memory was that of a truly magnificent course. Going forward 10 years, it was always my ambition to play the course again, and, on turning 40, I organised a trip with friends to play this and Moliets. In the 10 years that have passed, my golf is definitely longer, if less straight, but I would not say I am neither terribly long, nor erratic. One of my friends plays off 1 and is plays a long ball. He described it as the toughest course he’s played, and shot 87 on the first day. We played the course twice after this, and got used to it more, but here’s a synopsis. The course is tough, tight off the tees and long. I played at the end of the summer, in dry sunny conditions, but we collectively got no run on the fairways. The greens played true and reasonably fast and held the ball which meant you could go for pins. The condition of the course has declined in the 10 years since my previous visit. The tees are not always level, there are a fair amount of divots, and wear and tear, with holes 9 and 11 being particularly scruffy – shame as 11 is a signature hole for driving. There are simply too many dog legs on the course – I think 10 of 14 (non par 3) holes are dog legs, the premium being on accuracy from the tee, else you can hit the fairway and still not have a shot to the green. Members will have a distinct advantage to visitors as we learned where to put the ball on which fairways. The 4th hole needs a tidy up and redesign. The green is on top of a mountain and even the largest hitter (my friend hit thru the dog leg carrying 340 yards – no run) and was left with a 5 iron, not enough loft to negotiate this green. The course is way too penal for errant shots – the sat nav on the buggies is great and is accurate but you really have to know where to place to ball – am I repeating myself? Having said all this, Seignosse would still be on my list of places to play – best deal is the 2 rounds for €96 (twinned with Moliets) but at time of our visit this ticket was being reviewed/removed - €70 is a bit steep for this course as a buggy is definitely preferable (I am fit but the course is hilly, long, with long walks between certain holes). Allow a minimum of 4.5 hours to get round it. My memory was certainly better than the present reality. The course is beautiful, but it needs some TLC, and some thought as to present some bail out areas for the higher handicapper (I play off 12 (and improving) and loved the challenge) – I’m surprised there’s not more local feedback as many people we saw playing were 40+ something couples who were not long off the tee – how many shots to the 18th green for them? The better option if you’re in the area is Moliets. Still a stiff test of golf, but a fair one, not quite as beautiful outwardly but you’ll enjoy it so much more if in the area for a casual game.

An excellent track in very good condition. You need to be able to put the ball in the right place and keep it straight (as said here before, that always helps!). With plenty of dog legs and elevation changes (from tee to fairway/green and from fairway to green) you have to think more about club selection and a number of holes seem really tight off the tee before you realise that the landing area is more open than you thought. When we played (October) the greens were in excellent condition for the time of year. Signature holes have to be the 11th, a par 5 from a hugely elevated tee (you can see the sea that until now you can only hear as you walk round the course) and the final three holes are really strong. 16 is a very long uphill par three protected by big mounds and bunkers. 17 is a medium length par 4 with a water hazard up the left side that can catch a well struck drive that goes too far left as well as the second as it runs up the left side of the green. 18 is a monster par 5, some 570 yards all uphill. I've yet to play it with anyone who has go there in regulation as it is also a double dogleg. Play it as a par 6. Superb end to a matchplay round as holes can change hands pretty quickly over this finishing stretch.

Played the course twice in early November. It was in good condition and fairly quiet. The course is very narrow, carved out between the trees, with plenty of intimidating shots and opportunities to be blocked out by the trees. Sometimes the undulations seemed to be almost overdone. It played much longer than the card due to these undulations, some steeply raised greeens and the "spongy" but dry ground which seemed to give virtually no fairway roll even on the downhill holes. Probably the most difficult course I have played - although even as a 20ish handicap player, none of the holes were impossibly difficult or completely unfair. Definitely suited to the long straight hitter (as with everywhere!) The only slight disappointment in the course was the par 3s. All bar one were straight-forward short irons and not in keeping with the difficulty of the rest of the course.

Hole 1 is a gentle downhill par-4 starting hole where anything keeping you out of the trees will see a mid/short iron 2nd shot to the green. No.2 is a short par 4 with the approach shot over water. Hitting the fairway off the tee on the par-4 3rd hole is fairly tricky. Dogleg and uphill par-5 4th has bunkers reachable off the tee and a crucial short iron 3rd shot. Hole 5 is a short downhill par 3 followed the short par-4 6th that is more difficult than the stroke index. Long par-5 7th has a tricky green as does the par-3 8th. Appreciate from the championship tee the 9th before playing it, and anything where you can see the green for your 2nd shot is a good tee shot. Same goes for the 10th where the approach should be played with an extra club as it is more uphill than you think. The raised tee for the par-5 11th surely makes this one of the signature holes. Depending on the hole position and the speed of the greens the par-3 12th is quite tricky. This is followed by the long par-4 13th where a long drive may still require a long iron or fairway wood for your 2nd shot. Take an extra club or two for your 2nd shot on the par-4 14th and take note of the wind direction and pin position. The short par-4 15th can be played either with muscle or brain. The longest of the par-3’s is the 16th. The par-4 17th has you playing tricky 2nd shot over water. The par-5 18th is the other signature hole at over 550 metres and uphill. It is reachable in 3 shots so long as your driver, fairway wood and long/mid iron are all good shots. Whilst the South West of France should be very hot & dry in the Summer the greens and fairways are well watered. Therefore, the ball tends not to get too much run. The club house and hotel offer nice food but I’d recommend looking up Villa Sting, The Regalty and especially The Cottage for your after round subsistence. The other noteworthy comment is that the courses in the area are no way as busy or expensive as the Algarve but are of equal, if not greater, quality.

I was one of a group of 30 from Somerset who played Seignosse in June 2004. This whole area beats the Costas and Algarve in quality and value for money. Seignosse is simply brilliant, many described it as the best course ever played. If you're in the SW of England, get the Bristol - Bilboa Easyjet flight, drive 1hr40 back up to Bayonne and play Moliets too.

Played Seignosse in early April and it still deserves top ratings. Go there and play this course it is among the best in France.

Fantastic. The course is tricky and several very long holes mean you can't pick your way through the tree lined challenges with only a four iron.The sand based surface also takes a little getting used to. The Clubhouse is a great bonus- the staff are welcoming and very friendly. All round a great course and great club. Top marks.

Returned to Seignosse in April 2002. This course gets harder the more times you play it - there's a kind of fear factor comes into play. The condition of the course was a little disappointing however, lots of poorly/unrepaired pitch markes and unreplaced divots making the course not as enjoyable as it could be. Having said that it would put the majority of UK courses in the shade - especially as it only cost £35 for a day ticket. If you intend playing it all day rent a buggy - it's a hard walk.

I played this course for the first time in '93 and I have never forgotten it. It has to be one of the best golf courses in Europe. Everything about it is first rate. There are so many brilliantly designed and memorable holes that you often have to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming! And of course, because you are in France you don't have to share it with anyone. Fantastic greens (often multi-tiered), amazing use of elevation and water. Simply superb!!

I'm reluctant to say how good this course is because the time we played it in April 2001 it was v easy to get on, v reasonable and absolutely fantastic. A better course I have not played in 20 years of golf. Lush green fairways, fantastic tee offs (hole 3 over water and 11 from elevated position stand out). Water plays a feature on many holes. A golfer's paradise, with curteous staff and v good accomodation at reasonable prices. Forget the Algarve, vive le France!

This course is drop-dead gorgeous! We played it in June 2001 and, despite a terrible winter & spring of rain, the fairways & greens were in superb order. Seignosse is both challeging and picturesque and has a hushed, almost cathedral-like atmospehere which makes it totally unique. Green fees are very reasonable and the staff welcoming and helpful. Can't think of a lovlier place to play golf in France!

I played this superb course back in 1994 and I found it to be an excellent designed and well manicured course. It was also very challenging and funny and I say so this not only because I played, untill that time, the best round I've ever played. I recommend this course to everyone I know are going to Aquitaine!!

Played this course twice in August 2000. If there's a better course in Continental Europe I'll be surprised. The layout of the course is superb with water featuring on many of the holes - you'll play well if you play to handicap round here. It really is hard walking though especially if it's hot - hire a buggy. Greens are receptive and true and the fairways are lush. Off course facilities excellent as well and staff are very welcoming, even if your French isn't up to scratch. I'm going back next year to the SW of France and this will be the first course on my agenda. Excellent day out

One of my favourite layouts in the whole of France - quite long and tough with exceptional greens and some spectacular holes. Normally very quiet, staff are very friendly and the clubhouse is excellent. It is quite a physical challenge too - I could not manage two rounds even though given the option. Water is a feature on a number of holes and usually presents a problem. Play if you get the chance.