Golf de Saint Endreol

Played 4 times in two days and found it fantastic! I really miss having this course as a front lawn and hearing the golf shots and bell being rung whilst lying by the pool! I had read comments about the doglegs being unfair calling for an iron and then a wood, but it is different from the back tees - although it is true to a certain extent and you wouldn't want to play it 'blind' in a competition. But, these holes (par 4 12th and par 5 14th mostly) really grow an you. The views are fabulous and the hotel/clubhouse (especially the restaurant) excellent. Matt Winfield (previous reviewer) was kind enough to reply to my email with my concerns about the greens but they must have done some work as I found them very good and very fast. Also the rounds took between 3 and 3 1/2 hours when playing on my own in the morning. Only once did I get stuck in a three ball behind a fourball etc (4 1/2 hours). So good news. p.s. They are not Beavers - although it is a good idea to tell your wife this - they are Ragondins....a kind of water rat! Although they look cuter than our rats. But there are also turtles, frogs, fish and.....the reason for the electrified fences....Sangliers (Wild Boar) around! It is a real natural place for golf.

Played twice and you need to plan your way around - requires you to be accurate. Very long off the back tees especially the par 3s. When the wind blows you need drivers on the par 3s' Look out for the beavers on the water holes. Needs a buggy.

I have played St Endreol a few times now and the experience has got worse with each visit. The greens need working on, they are the slowest and most uneven I have played on. They let too many people on the course, my last round there took over 5 hours to complete. The setting is wonderful and the layout is good, but they need to sort a few things out or people will go elsewhere.

We had a fabulous time at St. Endreol. The course is laid out in a Provencal pine forest making great use of the natural contours and the winding river. It’s challenging and reasonably tight but fair. I would bet on it being enjoyable for all levels of player as there’s enough variety and challenge in the holes and the teeing areas have been intelligently laid out. There’s a number of stand out holes with the stunning Par 3 13th taking the biscuit. We stayed in one of the luxury townhouses that are for rent on the development (booked through Riviera Consult Europe) and it made for a fabulous base from which to play both St Endreol and the other courses in the area. I think there are around 40 or so others at hand. The clubhouse is superb overlooking the 18th green and the mountains and forest on the horizon. My lack of French was not an issue with everyone fluent in English and very welcoming. St Endreol was the best of the courses I played in the area and for sure I’ll be back. You’ll struggle to improve upon the whole experience.