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Le Touquet (La Mer), France |
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Golf du Touquet
Avenue du Golf
62520 Le Touquet
France |  | Harry S. Colt |  | Not known |
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 | +33 (0)3 2106 2800 |  | 30km S of Boulogne |  | Contact in advance |  | Charles Debruyne |
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Le Touquet is very French but it has strong British connections, not least because both contrasting courses at Le Touquet were laid out by British Architects – Horace Hutchinson designed La Forêt and Harry S. Colt designed La Mer – but also because this was once the playground for the British gentry.
In 1928 a decision was made to build a second course in the dunes and in 1930, the Daily Mail commented that this new terrain will comprise of eighteen of the most magnificent holes a scratch golfer could dream of. The new La Mer course finally opened for play in 1931 but the Prince of Wales – Edward VIII – discretely “tried” it a few days before it officially opened. The devastation following WW2 necessitated restoration work and the course lay dormant until 1959. Harold Baker modified the layout in 1997.
The stunning sea course, La Mer, is one of Colt’s greatest achievements, and that is saying something as Colt completed many outstanding designs during his lifetime. Located in the Pas de Calais region, La Mer is a classic links course that winds its way between the coastal dunes and rough grasses. With wonderful sea views from elevated tees, formidable bunkering, huge dunes and fast but firm greens, La Mer is perhaps the best true links course in France and it can proudly hold its head high alongside some of its regal neighbours which lie on the opposite side of the English Channel.
Measuring 6,407 metres, La Mer is a challenging layout and has hosted six French Opens, (the most recent was in 1977 when Seve Ballesteros won the title), but it's still a seriously tough proposition, especially when the Atlantic winds funnel down the Channel and whip across this exposed links land. Sam Torrance holds the current course record with a truly remarkable 63.
However, Le Touquet does not intend to rest on its laurels. La Mer is undergoing an extensive redesign programme which, when complete, will make it a serious championship contender once more. A bridge now links the tee and green on the 10th – the par three signature hole. New tees have been added on 1st, 5th, 13th and 17th, bunkers have been added here and there and three greens have been replaced (5th, 6th and 12th). Two great hotels are attached to the golf club making Le Touquet a wonderful holiday venue.
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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In the section below, headed “Your Reviews”, are golf course reviews posted by visitors to the Top 100 website. There are no specific rules for reviewing a golf course except you MUST have played the golf course first. Merits of each course are left entirely to your discretion. Important factors, such as course location, condition (or presentation), course difficulty and historical importance are all left for you to judge and we have developed a simple rating system where you can allocate one score to each course. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | Played this course at the end of February and found the whole experience a good one, the only downside was that there were two temporary greens which was a little disappointing. As far as the layout is concerned, we found it a real challenge and loved the way the fairways are channelled into the landscape and fit perfectly with the surroundings. We were surprised how quiet the course was and saw only one 2 ball during the round. The course is a lot harder than its sister, La Foret, and I can imagine that when the wind gets up it can be a real brute. Worth a visit!  | | 01 March 2010
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| | Played this a couple of years ago. Very good course with some challenging holes and altogether a lot of fun. Not many views of the sea but felt very close for all that. Not St. Andrews or Silloth but a good links course all the same. No course planners is a real shortcoming as clubbing is problematic without. The infrastructure - clubhouse etc, does not do the course justice.  | | 22 December 2009
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| | | Un joli parcours en bord de mer, ou l'on ne voit malheureusement que trés peu la mer !!! De l'âge et de l'entretien, voici les deux grands atouts de ce beau parcours au milieu de la lande. A faire de préférence hors saison (comme beaucopu de parcours)et à agrémenter à un séjour à l'hotel du golf qui allie charme et quiétude. | | 30 June 2009
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| | Played the La Mer course at Le Touquet almost a year after my previous visit. This time, it was right after a Pro-Am tournament that has a good reputation in the area, so I was expecting the course to be at its best. Far from it!!! So disappointing... The greens were terrible, in fairess pretty fast, but so patchy that putting was a lottery. I guess the Pros playing in that tounamant weren't too happy. I was told by a member that they had had fungus infection in the grass, hope they can get rid of it asap. Because this course doesn't deserve being let down by this kind of problem. The nature is so wonderful there! This time the course played to its full length, and even in a slight breeze, the 3 420 Meters + par 4s were difficult enough to reach. 6400 is a "reasonable" length indeed. I'll name again 10th to 12th as the best part of the course. 8th and 17th are not for my taste, hate those high plateau greens and 14th a little weakish.... I'm embarassed to give a bad mark this time, but the greens leave no other choice. Don't get me wrong though, this is a great and tough course, maybe not as scenic as nearby Belle Dune... Cédric  | | 25 April 2009
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| | | A long and tough test of golf. If the wind blows, lookout! Played here many times, and always enjoyed it. As with most golf in France, it is great value for money. Much harder than its sister course La Foret. Agree with the other reviewer that Belle Dune is better, but this is still really good. | | 26 September 2008
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| | | Played this in Aug 07 on a windy day. This is a tough test of golf when the wind is blowing. I agree with another reviewer that this is not a real links course. It more often has the feel of a parkland course and the sea is only visible once. IMHO it is not a patch on the much better Belle Dune further down the coast. The clubhouse is a real let down for such a "prestigious" course. They didn't even supply towels in the shower room. The 1st tee is so far from the clubhouse that they recommend that you drive there. So overall I was underwhelmed by the place. | | 03 August 2007
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| Response: | | | Cedric | 03 August 2007 | | 3 balls is maybe a bit harsh??? | | | danthegolfer | 22 October 2008 | | Belle Dune is much better? Are you kidding me? Off the back tees La Mer is one of the hardest tests of golf I've played in the world. What u meant was, u prefer Belle Dune because its easier. | | | Cedric | 22 December 2009 | | I wrote in august 2007 that 3 ball was maybe a bit harsh. Then gave myself 3 ball in april of this year!! Played again in their Grand Prix in september and the greens were just crap!! They have had this problem for a while now and it's time they take care of it! Because the design is really top (5-6 ball), and indeed much tougher than Belle Dune (but maybe not as pretty?) |
| | | I was back to La Mer 4 years after my last visit… I must say that most of the recent changes went quite unnoticed, as depending on the tee position of the day, you do or don’t use the new back platforms. But at now 6400 meters, this course is a real challenge, especially if the wind is blowing. The surroundings and the nature are, on the other hand, untouched but what can you change in such a wonderful natural terrain?? The 3 new greens (5th, 6th and 12th) were still a bit raw and need probably another year to be completely ready but were nonetheless very true. To have the best putting uniformity as possible, the speed of the other greens was deliberately reduced but that didn’t remove too much from the quality of a course in immaculate conditions. 10th, 11th and 12th are in my opinion the best holes and reminded me of the turn at Hillside! I don’t think this course is a real links, in the Scottish sense of the word, and the sea can only been seen far in the distance from the 18th tee. The only negative point – the clubhouse- always mentioned, is about to be destroyed and I am sure the new one will add to the class of this great place. A warm welcome also awaits you!!! French or English?? I wonder… Sometimes difficult to tell on which side of the Channel you are!!! Cédric | | 17 June 2007
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| | A truly wonderful links course, up there with some of the best. This wouldn't look out of place in Scotland, and with the planned improvements I'm sure it will become a classic on the European Tour.
We played it on a fine but windy day and it is a real tough test of golf, but very good value at €72.
The only let down is the clubhouse itself is both poor and a 10 minute walk from the first tee for La Mer course. | | 02 October 2006
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| | | I have played this golf course on numerous occasions within the last few years and it is a very stern test of ones golfing ability. You will really need to be playing well to conquer this course as it is very long and the rough is extremely penal. The golf course is constantly in good condition throughout the year. If you want my advice hop on the eurotunnel, drive to le touquet and play la mer! | | 23 July 2006
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