Golf in Biarritz: from the 1888 lighthouse course to the hills of Arcangues

Golf de Biarritz Le Phare

• Architect: Tom Dunn, Willie Dunn; Harry Colt
• Opened 1888
• 18 holes
• Par 69

Founded in 1888 by the British, Le Phare is one of the oldest courses in continental Europe. Tom and Willie Dunn laid out the first holes, Harry Colt reworked it in the 1920s, and the war has since transformed it profoundly. Today it is a short par 69 of around 5,400 metres, with tree-lined fairways spread over two plots a stone's throw from the ocean. Precision matters more than length, and the greens are often raised. A course to play for its history and atmosphere, within walking distance of the seafront hotels.

Signature hole. Its former 3rd, a par 3 whose green was split by a deep swale, gave its name to the "Biarritz", a green style copied by Charles Blair Macdonald in the United States. Today the 8th, a long par 3, is one of the hardest holes on the course.

Golf de Chiberta

• Architect: Tom Simpson
• Opened 1927
• 18 holes
• Par 70

At Anglet, between Biarritz and Bayonne, Chiberta is the work of Tom Simpson, opened in 1927, and one of the few links on France's Atlantic coast. The course, a par 70 of around 5,600 metres, has two faces: dune holes right by the ocean, from the 2nd green onwards, then a return through the pine forest. The sea wind often decides the scorecard. Simpson's contract asked for nothing less than "the most beautiful golf course in the world"; the seaside holes come close. A course for players who like to run the ball along the ground.

Golf d'Arcangues

• Architect: Ronald Fream
• Opened 1991
• 18 holes
• Par 72

Designed by Ronald Fream and opened in 1991 on the land of the Arcangues family, a quarter of an hour from the centre of Biarritz, this par 72 pairs a largely wooded front nine with a more open back nine, three holes of which circle a château. It is not long, around 5,750 metres from the white tees, but the slopes are tiring and the greens well defended. The view of La Rhune and the Pyrenees accompanies much of the round. The clubhouse occupies the Jauréguiborde farmhouse, a Basque house dating from 1585.

Makila Golf Club

• Architect: Rocky Roquemore
• Opened 1992
• 18 holes
• Par 72

At Bassussarry, on the edge of Bayonne and fifteen minutes from Biarritz, Makila was laid out by the American Rocky Roquemore, opened in 1992 and completed the following year. This par 72 of more than 6,100 metres from the back tees is the longest in the area: wide fairways between century-old oaks, seven water hazards and pronounced contours, with part of the back nine played on the other side of a road, reached by an underpass. There are no winter greens, which makes it a safe bet out of season.

Signature hole. The 5th, a par 5 of around 500 metres doglegging right, runs alongside a pond that waits for any shot pushed too far.