The Alps truly are the playground of Europe; in winter you can carve or slide your way down the dramatic snow-capped mountain ranges and in summer you can play golf on the wonderful turf that lives below the snow. Today on the All Square blog we are going to be looking at one such destination, Le Golf du Mont d’Arbois. The course was designed in 1964 by Henry Cotton the former Open Champion and Golf Hall of Fame inductee. Cotton enjoyed ‘living the high-life’ and so it is appropriate that he is behind the design of this course.
The opening of the Four Seasons in Megève, which will also manage the club, looks set to catapult Le Golf du Mont d’Arbois to a whole new level. The chic hotel is nestled into the base of Mont d’Arbois’ soaring mountainside and is the only luxury resort directly on the Mont d’Arbois slopes.
A True Alpine Delight
Sitting around 1320m above sea-level, Le Golf du Mont d’Arbois is definitely a mountain course. However, the climb when you’re on the course is only 150m allowing you to conserve energy for your golf. As you may imagine, at such a high altitude and in the heart of the French Alps, the views are staggering and dramatic. The 14th green is the highest point on the course and golfers will want to take some extra time on the green to absorb the surroundings and perhaps get some pictures. Here the panoramic view shows the Col de Véry to the Mont Joly range, including the Aiguille de Varens which overlooks the Arve Valley. The hiring of a new greenkeeper means that the immaculately manicured fairways will now match the quality of the jaw-dropping vistas. A true golfer’s heaven.
First Winter Golf
Golf du Mont d’Arbois has become famous in recent years for the hosting of the BMW Winter Golf Trophy. In 2000, Philippe Guilhem started this unique tournament on an improvised nine-hole course and since then the event has continued to grow. Winter Golf has become so popular in Megève which led Golf du Mont d’Arbois to open permanently his snow golf course. This unique course is made of 6 holes with synthetic greens, groomed snow fairways and powder snow rough. During winter time, we strongly advise you to put on some warm clothes and try snow golf in the French Alps!
The Fabrice Tarnaud Academy
Golf is not an easy sport to learn, most of you probably know that far too well, but high in the alpine air at Mont d’Arbois you can take lessons and advance your game in the serenity of the Alps. Fabrice Tarnaud, the former European Tour player, has created a fantastic facility here to help golfers of every level, from beginner to pro, improve their game.
Pure Mountain Charm
When you play golf in the Alps you know the scenery of the course is special. Golf du Mont d’Arbois is no exception and every golfer will have a lot of fun playing this track. At just 6074m its not long and allows golfers to relax a bit and take in the surroundings rather than trek wearily along the course. Mark Twain once (wrongly) stated, “golf is a good walk spoiled”, playing Le Golf du Mont d’Arbois is a great walk and the golf definitely doesn’t spoil it.
