How to get there: 45 km N of centre of Paris. Take exit 7 (Survilliers) from the A1 north of Paris. Follow the D10/D126 direction Plailly, then the D922 to Mortefontaine. In the middle of Mortefontaine take the D607 to Golf Club.
Full Answer
What makes a Morfontaine golf course unique?
From the English style clubhouse to the individually crafted tree-lined holes, Morfontaine exudes a tranquil and aristocratic air. The usually good-width fairways are sometimes trimmed with heather, while each hole is handsomely flanked on both sides by the mature pine forest.
Where to play golf in Mortefontaine?
In the middle of Mortefontaine take the D607 to Golf Club. Golf de Morfontaine: Located in the Forêt d'Ermenonville, one of three great forests to the north of Paris, this very natural and excellently maintained golf course is frequently ranked as one of the best in France. As a private club its gates are closed to outside visitors.
How long does it take to play Morfontaine?
If Morfontaine is a New York area golf course it’s a world top 20 course in every ranking and would have hosted a few majors by now Morfontaine is an hour north of Paris, and if you are lucky enough to play it, you should make a day of it. Plan on playing the 27 holes .
What makes Morfontaine a great place to live?
Morfontaine is built in a forest and has an abundance of heather, reminiscent of the heathland courses outside of London, such as Walton Heath. The soil is naturally sandy and thus ideally suited for good golf, and there are ferns growing vigorously all over the property.
Is driving range on the basic side?
The driving range is definitely on the basic side!
Can you phone up for a tee time on the French golf course?
This is probably the hardest course in Europe to get on to. It's not got many members and you can't just phone up and get a tee time. There are a couple of great posts here and here from John Sabino about his efforts to get a game, which culminated in success. One route you could try is to use a top-end French travel agency, Private Golf Key. However, they don't really just book individual tee times. They put a whole 'experience' together, which will definitely cost you.
How many yards is Morfontaine?
Morfontaine is a par 70 of 6,545 yards (5,985 meters). Five holes are par 3s and among the 13 others, three bend right, four move left and six are straight. All are defined—more certainly than any course I can recall—by trees, hundred foot-high sylvestre pines (or Scotch pines, as we know them).
Who was the go to guy for golf course?
Eighty years ago, if you lived in Europe, had some land and some money, and wanted to build a top-quality golf course, the go-to guy was Tom Simpson —assuming you could put up with his act. Picture yourself, the course owner, at a site visit.
Is Morfontaine a private club?
Initially, Morfontaine was intended for the private enjoyment of the duke and his friends, but it was such a success that within three years it became an extremely private club with an international membership. Virtually no one plays unless accompanied by a member.
Who designed the golf course in the 1920s?
It is Simpson who is credited with dubbing the 1920s and ’30s the Golden Age of golf course architecture, and he did his part, with designs at Cruden Bay in Scotland, the Berkshire near London and New Zealand Golf Club, as well as widely lauded renovations of Ireland’s Ballybunion and England’s Sunningdale.
Is Morfontaine a pro shop?
Everything about Morfontaine is understated. There is no pro shop (or pro for that matter), the bar and dining room are tasteful but spare, and the little white scorecard couldn’t be simpler—just hole numbers, pars, distances and handicap strokes. The minimalism is most evident at the conclusion of the first nine.
Where is the best golf course in France?
Golf de Morfontaine: Located in the Forêt d'Ermenonville, one of three great forests to the north of Paris, this very natural and excellently maintained golf course is frequently ranked as one of the best in France. As a private club its gates are closed to outside visitors. If you should be invited to play, grab the opportunity with both hands; you will be in for a treat.#N#From the English style clubhouse to the individually crafted tree-lined holes, Morfontaine exudes a tranquil and aristocratic air. The usually good-width fairways are sometimes trimmed with heather, while each hole is handsomely flanked on both sides by the mature pine forest. With no water hazards to worry about, the key to scoring lies in your approach play, with the large and undulating greens defended by a stylish array of bunkering.#N#On a couple of occasions a blind drive is required, as at the par-4 8th that takes you up and over a small hill. For many members the straight and bunkerless par-4 10th is a favourite. One of the toughest holes on the course is the good-length par-4 16th. A fairway-crossing band of heather is in range from the tee, and a challenging uphill approach must be played to a well-defended green.#N#Laid out by the great Tom Simpson, designer of some other notable courses around Paris and further north in Belgium, Morfontaine is an elegant tree-lined parkland classic. Not one for the "grip-it and rip-it" brigade, but definitely for golfers who like a worthy challenge in a splendidly quiet woodland setting.
How many holes are there in Vallière?
9-hole par-36 Vallière course (2562 metres from back tees) ... a 9-hole course that excellently complements the main course ... not to be missed!
Is Morfontaine a private club?
Morfontaine is a private club. Guests may only play if hosted by a member.
About Golf De Morfontaine
Golf de Morfontaine is beautifully situated in the woods north of Paris. The 9 holes course 'Valière' was built in 1913 and the 'Grand Parcours' an 18 holes course was added in 1927. The holes are embedded in the woods and very well designed. The par 3's are amazing and the surroundings are very tranquil.
Courses at Golf De Morfontaine
Regularly hosting prestigious competitions such as the French Open Ladies Trophy Cécile de Rothschild or the European Mid-Amateurs Championships, the Grand Parcours course combines the requirements of a modern course and the preservation of the DNA instilled by its creator.
Best reviews of Golf De Morfontaine
Morfontaine (as the club is called according to the historic name of the close-by village Mortefortaine) is a unique place. The 9 holes Valière and 18 Grand Parcours both designed by Tom Simpson (and recently touched up by Kyle Philips) are probably the best holes I ever played.
