Rue du Golf,
Billère, nr Pau, Aquitaine F-64140
Office
+33 (0)5 59 13 18 56Fax
+33 (0)5 59 13 18 57Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Philippe Heugas / Dominique LoustaletThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Riverside and residential.
Designer:
Various architects have played their part in Pau's design, including Willie Dunn of Scotland.
43.296378
-0.393399
2 km SW of Pau / 110 km E of Biarritz
Pau
Pau Golf Club is home to a good quality golf course, laid out in a quiet area alongside the river Gave de Pau. The Club carries the distinction of being the oldest in continental Europe, established way back in 1856.
The easy-going tree-lined and open parkland layout contains a variety of attractive holes and pleasant features, which should provide an enjoyable test of golf at a generally affordable rate. Pau GC is well worth a visit, not just to play this pleasant parkland course, but also to browse the exhibits in the Club's very interesting museum.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Players generally walk this course.
Good
Founded in 1856, Pau is the oldest golf club in France and in continental Europe. Its history goes back to the Napoleonic wars and the Battle of Orthez in February 1814, when some regiments of Wellington's army were quartered in Pau. Among the soldiers, two Scottish officers took every opportunity to practice golf, their favourite sport.
Twenty years later, the same Scots came back as tourists, hoping to find memoirs of their earlier visits. Little by little, an entire British colony became established in Pau. It left its mark on the area, through its customs and its traditional sports, which included horse-back riding, hunting, mountaineering, and golf. Eventually, in 1856 the need was created for a dedicated golf club.
The five oldest golf clubs still in existence in France are: Pau (1856); Dinard (1887); Biarritz-Le Phare (1888); Cannes-Mandelieu (Old course, 1891), and Valescure (Old course, 1895). The sixth oldest, Golf de Compiègne (1896), has now closed.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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