Golf de Servanes: A Provençal Tapestry of Nature and Sport
Nestled in the heart of Provence, just ten minutes from the historic towns of Les Baux de Provence and Saint Rémy de Provence, Golf de Servanes presents itself not merely as a sports facility, but as a complete immersion into the region's iconic landscape. The club is situated in Mouriès on 40 hectares of protected nature, an estate defined by the dramatic white rock formations of the Alpilles mountain range that serve as a constant, majestic backdrop. The experience is a sensory one, where the air is perfumed with the typically Provençal scents of wild rosemary, lavender, and thyme. The course itself is carved through this raw, natural environment, winding its way among 4,000 olive trees, creating an immediate sense of escape and tranquility from the very first tee. This deliberate and harmonious integration with the landscape establishes the club's identity as a hymn to the beauties of Provence, a place where the sport of golf is both enhanced and transcended by its surroundings.
Golf de Servanes
Golf de Servanes is a distinguished member of the Resonance Golf Collection, a network of premium golf courses primarily in France. This affiliation provides a framework of quality and a guarantee of a certain standard of service and maintenance that visitors can expect. Being part of this collection offers tangible benefits to players, such as access to the Evasion Passport, which provides discounts across the network's 11 courses, and participation in exclusive events like the Lacoste Golf Series. The dynamism and prestige of the group are underscored by recent expansions, such as the addition of the renowned Golf de Moliets, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., to its portfolio. For the discerning visitor, the Resonance brand acts as a seal of approval, connecting Servanes to a larger, prestigious ecosystem and mitigating the uncertainty of visiting a new course. It signals that the club adheres to a high standard of operations and customer experience.
Golf de Servanes is a par 72 course that presents a formidable challenge, reflected in its high slope ratings which reach up to 142 from the back tees. The total length is approximately 6,049 meters (6,616 yards). The terrain is described as "undulating with water hazards" and "hilly," demanding both physical stamina and strategic thinking.
The architects crafted a layout with a distinct narrative arc, guiding the player through three different aesthetic and strategic "chapters." The round begins in a classic Provençal setting at the foot of the Alpilles, transitions to a section with a more "American flavor" featuring large water hazards, and concludes in a forest of maritime pines. This deliberate variation ensures the round remains engaging and memorable, offering a journey through diverse landscapes within a single game.
Hole-by-Hole Analysis & Signature Features
The course unfolds with a mix of scoring opportunities and stern tests. The "Conseil du Pro" (Pro's Tips) provided by the club, combined with player feedback, paints a vivid picture of the strategic decisions required on each hole.
The Opening Stretch (Holes 1-4): The round begins with the most forgiving hole on the course, a par-4 with a handicap of 18, though a fairway bunker on the right demands respect. The challenge quickly ramps up with the par-3 2nd, which features a tricky, sloped green, and the 3rd, which offers a magnificent view of the Alpilles but has a difficult green to navigate. The 4th is a short but narrow par-5 that runs alongside the rock faces, rewarding accuracy over power.
The Ultimate Challenge (Hole 5): The par-4 5th is the stroke index 1 hole and the most difficult on the course. It is long and extremely narrow on the approach to the green, with out-of-bounds looming to the right. The professional advice to play it as a par-5 underscores its difficulty and the necessity of a strategic, conservative approach.
The "American Touch" and Water Hazards: A defining feature of the course is its two large island greens, which bring a dramatic, American-style challenge to the Provençal landscape. These holes demand absolute precision on the approach shots, as there is no room for error. The par-5 9th also features a significant water hazard along the right side of the fairway, posing a threat to big hitters attempting to shorten the hole.
The Signature Finish (Holes 17-18): The course concludes with a memorable and demanding pair of holes. The par-4 17th plays steeply uphill, requiring at least one extra club on the approach to a delicate green. The final hole is a beautiful par-5 that doglegs to the left. The player must keep the ball on the fairway, avoiding danger that runs the entire length of the hole on the right, to finish the round successfully.
