Golf d'Hardelot (Les Pins)

Close to the Edwardian seaside resort of Hardelot in the Pas de Calais northern region of France lies the beautiful golf course, Les Pins. The course is delightfully set amongst the dunes and a glorious pine forest. The club was originally founded in 1905, but today's golf offering was re-imagined by Tom Simpson in 1931.

According to Fred W. Hawtree, who authored Simpson & Co. Golf Architects: "Philip Mackenzie Ross was in charge of detailing Simpson's plans on the site at Hardelot. He was now a director of Simpson and Ross Ltd. A cutting from Golf Monthly, December 1929, says: 'Messrs Simpson & Ross have now commenced work on the new course at Hardelot'."

Hawtree continues: "All the references to Hardelot in the golfing press refer to a 'new course'. This suggests that, in a developing resort, the usual process occurred where the old course became more valuable for other purposes, besides being useless for attracting visitors. However, the old nine holes were kept in play until the new eighteen opened in 1931."

Les Pins hosted the Nations Cup in 1972 and the Philip Morris International in 1974, and whilst it no longer features on the professional circuit, it presents a good test for all levels of golfer. The course rewards careful golf and although the 1st provides a deceptively wide fairway, the following holes become more testing as the pine forest, through which the course meanders, encroaches.

Hardelot brings to mind the classical era of British golf architecture and Les Pins has a very similar feel to the Red course at the Berkshire. An additional benefit at Hardelot is the climate, which is warmed by the Gulf Stream. This ensures enough rain to keep the fairways and greens in glorious condition, but enough mild weather to ensure enjoyable golf all year round.

The sandy soil provides perfect drainage and the bunkers are deep and full of fine sand. The natural contours presented by a proliferation of sand dunes add a distinctive charm to an already attractive course.

Dutch architect Frank Pont and Patrice Boissonnas, whose family own Open Golf Club, the company that operates Hardelot, spent three years reworking the course at Les Pins, using old photographs and drawings to breathe new life into this Tom Simpson design.

More than three thousand trees were removed, greens were enlarged to their original dimensions, fairways were widened and all the Simpson bunkers rebuilt to “honour the artistic vision of the great architect and create a stronger, more strategic defence,” according to Patrice Boissonnas.

The course now plays to a par of 71, after the 2nd and 16th holes were reduced to par fours, though a more subtle change sees the short holes now play longer as the round progresses: the downhill 5th measures 120 yards, the 7th is a bit longer at 150 yards, the downhill 12th now requires an exacting 160-yard tee shot, the beautiful 14th is a strong 175-yard par three and the 17th requires a hybrid or wood to carry the 180 yards from tee to green.

Hardelot has a lovely clubhouse and the location is ideal for travelling golfers, especially those living in the South of the UK. The club lies only 30 minutes away from the Channel Tunnel terminus, providing the perfect opportunity for a day's golf.

Les Dunes, which opened for play in 1990, is the second course at Hardelot. Located a mile or so up the road, it is definitely worth playing alongside the highly French polished Les Pins.