From Saint-Raphael to Saint-Cyr-sur-mer, 420 kilometres of precipitous red-rock coastline bathing in the Mediterranean Sea. Cork oaks and chestnut trees mixed with pine trees have been wrapping the Maures and Esterel with greenery for years, the pride of this area. The Var region has been taking advantage of this gift of heaven to become a unique golf destination.

A few courses are near the coast, others are along the motorway (A8) axis or on the slope of the Alpes de Provence. Famous architects have signed their work on few of them like Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Dave Thomas, Robert Van Hagge… Not all of them are championship courses, but all have a common point: the sun. Other particularity: there are fourteen clubs like the maximum number of clubs allowed to be carried in a golf bag, the fifteenth one is banned!

Along the clear gulfs

Lober: before hitting your first tee shot in Sainte-Maxime golf course, you will need to admire the beautiful view of the Mediterranean and the coast of Saint-Tropez from the clubhouse. This is a rather technical track, especially the back 9 that follows the shape of a steep bank, with some spectacular par 3 holes such as hole #6 and #17.

Sand Wedge: Estérel Formule-Golf in Saint-Raphael is a new course designed in 1989 by Robert Trent Jones and complementary with its neighbour, Valescure. Your game will definitely different whether you play from the back tees or the regular tees. The signature hole: the par 3 #6, you will need to go across a natural quarry hole; this hole is called the “women’s hole” because, according to the legend, unfaithful women were thrown in it!

Putter: Valescure Golf & Tennis Club in Saint-Raphael is one of the oldest courses on the Cote d’Azur (1895), designed by Lord Ashcomb. This course has a short layout (5061m/par 68), although redesigned the course keeps its British appeal. The biggest challenge is to reach the greens also known as “postage-stamps”!

P.W: The golf club in Beauvallon in Grimaud faces the bay of Saint-Tropez; it is one of the oldest courses in the Var (1923). It had 9 holes until 1996 when 9 new holes were added. 6 new holes have been emplaced on a hilly part of the Domaine de Beauvallon from where the view of Saint-Tropez from hole #7 is splendid.

9 iron: Gassin Golf &t Country Club is the last newborn on the coast of the Var signed by Gary Player and Gery Watine. Overlooking Gassin and Saint-Tropez, it is so quiet and peaceful. Very spectacular too! The difference in heights from one hole to the next is impressive along with the wavy greens and their large size. This club is reserved for its members and their guests and only a few chosen VIPs.

8 iron: The Dolce Frégate golf course in Saint Cyr sur Mer was designed by Ronald Fream through vineyards and olive trees dropping into the Sea. It has some spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea (#10 tee is a must-see ). When the Mistral decides to be part of your day, playing certain holes (#11 or #13) into the wind or a side-wind can be a serious challenge especially if you are not confident. When you think your round is finished, beware of the hills on #18.

7 iron: The Valcros golf club in La Londe Les Maures is discreet and friendly although unrecognized. Some slight but challenging hills with some well-positioned water hazards make this rather short course (5000 m from the back tees) interesting to play. The course, the beaches of the Lavandou and the Fort de Bregançon close by will contribute to a very intimist day.

6 iron: The Valgarde golf course in La Garde, outside the city of Toulon, under the Coudon, this flat municipal course welcomes walkers and ditch jumpers. Water is very present, some puddles with poplar trees (# 5), some streams run on the right, on the left, and across the fairways like on #1 with 3 of them to put you at ease from the very beginning!

5 iron: Barbaroux golf course in Brignoles, while driving on the A8 motorway, between Brignoles and Le Luc, you can get a glimpse of this Pete & P.B. Dye design through the provençale hills. They managed to use the natural contours of the land to make a golfers’ heaven for some or pure hell for others. This is an indeniable fact: an accurate and strong game is necessary to appreciate this course.

4 iron: The Roc in Roquebrune sur Argens is a rather tormented course yet it follows well the hills facing the Massif des Maures. It is located in a typical provençal setting amongst pine trees, cork oaks and thorny shrubs full of scents such as strawberry trees, cistus, and junipers. Natural hazards are main difficulty.

On the bank of the Alpes de Provence

3 iron: Saint Endréol golf course in La Motte is one of the prettiest courses on the Côte d’Azur. From the first tee you will appreciate the hills of Provence going downhill amongst several pine trees. A serious ballistic computation is needed when the wind is present, especially on hole #3 where you face a green that looks like it is floating on the river Endre.

5 wood: Sainte-Baume golf course in Nans les Pins, landmark of Provence below the cliff of the so famous Sainte-Baume immortalized by Cézanne. One advice, on #15 a 3 wood is recommended to put the ball in play, overlooking the red tile roof from the Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle (where General de Gaulle and… Marie-Antoinette were guests). A great place to appreciate golf, history and good living.

3 wood: The Château de Taulane golf course in La Marte is sitting up at 1000 meters high. Gary Player used his magic to plan one of the most beautiful courses of the Côte d’Azur where anyone could play. Just an hour away from Cannes, you will be enjoying this 6300 meters long golf course in this quiet and cool forest.

On the bank of the Massif des Maures

Driver: The Four Seasons at Terre Blanche golf course in Tourette is where Dave Thomas, the famous architect of the famous San Roque in Sotogrande, near Marbella, signed two (2) courses on the Four Seasons Provence - Domaine de Terre Blanche. The “Chateau” is the longest course (6616m) and the “Riou” is shorter (6005m) and named after the brook crossing over the property and surrounding the resort.

 What club is not accepted in the golf bag?

What to see...

You should visit the coast and the backcountry. The Cote d’Azur on the Var side is of a rare natural beauty with the Massif des Maures and the red rocks of Esterel; they are dropping down to the Mediterranean Sea where their red coastline and their blond sand coves blend to make these colors and all the charm of this area one of a kind. Near Hyères, the islands, especially the protected island of Port-Cros, deserves a boat ride or even an under-water tour for scuba divers.

The backcountry in the Var is so attractive especially for the ones that appreciate Provence and its snails-shape villages with their home built around their old churches and their favorite “pétanque” grounds. You will often find some great restaurants with local products and some tasty “Côte de Provence” wines, their wine itinerary will guide you from Grimaud to Tourtour or from Fayence to Salernes going through La Garde Freinet, Les Arcs, Lorgues, Entrecasteaux and many more. During the summer months, all of those villages are entertained with local dances, pétanques games and aïoli.

If you go by Le Luc or Vidauban, do not forget to visit the magnificent 12th century Abbaye du Thoronet. In Saint-Maximin, see the 13th century basilica while the old Saracen tower offers a sight of the entire region and hosts. If you chose to go further north to play at Terre Blanche or Taulane, the detour on the road that overhangs the gorges du Verdon and the lake of Ste-Croix is worth it.