Golf de Morfontaine dates back to October 1913 when the Duke of Guiche obtained permission from his father to transform an old polo pitch in the park of Vallière into a 9-hole golf course for the pleasure of the Duke and his friends. He liked Tom Simpson’s taste for natural landscapes and his sense of aesthetics so he was later commissioned to re-design the original 9-hole Vallière course. 

At the opening ceremony, professional James Braid teed it up with French champions Jean Gassiat and Arnaud Massy. After the First World War, the Duke decided to open the course more widely, and, in 1927, created the Golf Club Association that is still in existence today. Tom Simpson designed a new 18-hole Morfontaine and 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 his other great achievements at 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.  

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 are expected from Phillips in the near future in an attempt to keep the course as challenging as it was in Tom Simpson’s day, prior to the ball and club technology revolution. 

At 5,895 metres, 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 original 9-hole course, Le Valière, is still a gem in its own right and despite being short it is nonetheless a real challenge. The 4th is a cracking short downhill par three and the 5th a great two-shotter. These two holes are as good as any 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 pleasure.