Golf de Moliets is another of Robert Trent Jones Jr’s incredible designs, incorporating the incredible landscape of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park. Located on the western coast of France, with incredible views over the Bay of Biscay, and with a golf course that flows through the forest and out onto the beach, Moliets is a stunning place to play the game.

There are actually 27 holes at Moliets, with Jones being the man behind the whole design. The original 18-hole course, the Forest & Ocean, came in the late 1980s. With wide fairways, golfers might be tricked into thinking the course is easy, but plenty of greenside trouble quickly sees that hope dissipate. From the 13th to 16th, the course is essentially on the beach, with those views out onto the water.

Along with the 18-hole Forest & Ocean, Moliets is also the home to a 9-hole Airial Course, also designed by Jones Jr. It was opened slightly later, and as a Par 31, it is a great place for beginners to train. The Golf Moliets Academie uses the Airial Course as part of their on course coaching, with four trained professionals on hand to offer lessons and tuition for guests at Moliets.

In terms of accommodation, the golf course does not have its own hotel or apartments. Instead, there are a range of options that back onto the golf course, with some rooms and apartments having views of the golf course and the Bay of Biscay. La Residence du Golf and Village Moliets offer something different to each other, with the latter having its own kids’ club for families.

 

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Golf de Moliets is the proud host of two courses - the Forest & Ocean 18-hole course, and the Airial 9-hole course. All 27 holes were designed by the great Robert Trent Jones Jr, and once again, he did a splendid job of using the natural landscape to his advantage.

Thanks to the natural environment, with both the dense forest and the beachside views of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, Robert Trent Jones Jr was gifted with the perfect landscape, and he truly did it justice. 

Created at the end of the 1980s by Jones, the course has wide fairways, but scoring does not come easy as the greens are well protected. Due to the sandy nature of the golf course, it is playable year round, and with amazing views over the Bay of Biscay between holes 13 and 16, which are literally on the beach.

Created a few years before the Forest & Ocean Course in 1986, the Airial Course was also designed by the American architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. A short but technical course, it can be completed within two hours whether golfers are experienced or beginners.

As a Par 31 9-hole venue, it is a great place for beginners who are first learning the game to start to understand the nuances of undulating greens and fairways. There are a range of tees as well, to allow players to change up how they take on the Airial Course. 

In 1998, the Fédération Française de Golf (FFG) set up a national golf training centre at Moliets. For around a decade, teams of high-level players and juniors, including the French golf team, came to train regularly at Golf de Moliets.

The French team no longer uses Moliets as a training base, but the facility has continued to grow. Now, Golf Moliets Academie is dedicated to training both beginners and experienced golfers. The Academie has a driving range and a short game area to practise both the long and short games of those looking to improve.

The team of qualified professionals offer lessons and coaching to all ages and abilities. From those just starting out in the game to advanced golfers looking to fine tune their skills, all the way down to introducing children to the beautiful sport, Golf Moliets Academie has something for everyone.

Golf de Moliets does not have an actual link to a hotel like the majority of venues on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, but there are plenty of accommodation options on and around the golf course.

La Residence du Golf (Madame Vacances) 

La Residence du Golf is located right by the 17th hole of the Forest & Ocean Course at Moliets, as the course works its way back inland from the Bay of Biscay. La Residence is a group of apartments which are close to the surrounding villages and towns, as well as the Bay of Biscay and the nearby lakes. 

Apartments at La Residence offer views directly over the golf course and the outdoor swimming pool, with the Landes Pine Forest as a backdrop. The apartments are all designed with comfort in mind. Bright and spacious, they all come with a well-equipped kitchenette to allow for those guests who fancy cooking of an evening.

Village Moliets is located right by the ocean, with stunning views out over the Bay of Biscay. It is the more family-friendly accommodation offering that backs on to Moliets, with four swimming pools, a children’s club and a wide range of sporting activities to partake in. 

There are a range of accommodation options at Village Moliets, from studio apartments to one- and two-bedroom apartments and houses, the biggest of which can fit eight people. The views differ, with some offering views of the golf course, while others offer views of the Natural Park.

Away from these two accommodation options, there are also a range of villas and apartments that can be found on holiday rental sites. 

Where is Moliets located?
Golf de Moliets is located on the western coastline of France, looking out over the beach and into the Bay of Biscay. It is in the southwest corner of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, with Biarritz being the nearest major city, around 50 miles to the south.

What is the nearest airport to Moliets?
Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport is the closest major airport to Moliets, 50 miles south of the golfing resort. In the opposite direction sits Bordeaux Airport, around 95 miles to the north. Bordeaux Airport operates more daily flights and to more destinations than Biarritz, with several flights per day to the United Kingdom.

What golf facilities does Moliets offer?
Along with the golf course, Moliets is the home to the Golf Moliets Academie, a former training centre of the French golf team. The Academie is the home to a driving range and short game area, with a team of four professionals ready and on hand to help.

Does Moliets offer golf lessons?
There are a range of lessons on offer at the Golf Moliets Academie. From the ‘Discovery Lesson’, which is ideal for people who have never played and who want to learn golf, to individual lessons and group clinics, the Golf Moliets Academie has lessons and coaching for all abilities.

There is also a Kids’ Academy at the Golf Moliets Academie, which aims to help children get into the sport and to provide the opportunity for growth within the game. These are also taught from beginner to advanced, and there is also a Golf School run by Moliets as well. 

What are the green fees at Moliets?
To play at Moliets is relatively cheap compared to the majority of venues on the  NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list. A round on the Forest & Ocean Course in the summer season will only cost guests €80. 

That price comes down to €70 in the spring and autumn, with winter golf at Moliets costing just €60. There is the same incremental difference with the 9-hole Airial Course. Prices are €35, €30 and €25 in accordance with the same seasons as above.

Is Moliets suitable for families?
Guests staying at the Village Moliets have access to a free children’s club, which has three sections for kids depending on their ages. 

On the golf side of things, there are plenty of coaching and tuition options for the kids. The Golf Moliets Academie runs children-specific lessons, including Kids’ Academy Courses and a Golf School. 

What accommodation is on offer at Moliets?
There is no actual accommodation on the golf site itself, but there are a couple of accommodation options available right next to the course. Both Village Moliets and La Residence du Golf have golf course views, and a range of rooms, apartments and houses on offer for a stay in the Bordeaux region.

There are a couple of resorts who also have a place on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list that sit within a three-hour drive from Moliets. Both Golf du Medoc and Chateau des Vigiers are to the north, with the former being situated just outside the city of Bordeaux. Vigiers sits more inland from the Bay of Biscay. 

Pinsolle, Seignosse and Golf d’Hossegor are some other local golf courses to Moliets, with the three situated just south of the resort. 

 

Book your trip to Moliets with Golfbreaks now.

Visit Moliets’ website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.