The arcadian setting of Course de l’Ours is so magnificent that it almost eclipses its stupendous history. Situated near the foothills of the Pyrenees, its backdrop is one of mountains, forests and rivers that lose you in their beauty. Its story is an ancient one. Some say that the Cathars themselves played the game here inside their remote cragtop castles while persecuted by the Church. Others delve even further into the past to suggest that pre-historic cave paintings in the area depict the first ever meeting of strings on feathers. However fascinating these discussions, we must reluctantly leave them to the historians and press onward with our analysis of the modern course as we know it.
The course is named after the bears that famously inhabit the area and its logo is taken from a local pre-historic cave painting of such a bear. Yes, it looks a bit like a hyena, but such is the mystery of this ancient landscape. Due to its location and lush surroundings, the course is unusual in that it has significantly more outside holes than inside. The house with its periwinkle shutters and its annexe are not to be forgotten, but it is the beauty of the grounds that are the main draw here, with the river Arize running through them.
This course has 9 holes with a total par of 36. Individual holes’ pars range from a tiny 2 all the way up to a giant 6:
Walkthrough Video
This course walkthrough video will guide you through the course, and following it are some descriptions of the holes:
Interactive Map
This map shows the holes for the course, which are described in more detail below.
Individual Holes
The first hole, Granging Rooms, starts upstairs in the Grange in Tim’s bathroom. Tee off from anywhere with both your feet are inside the bathroom. Play down the stairs, back underneath and into Bethany’s room. Beware: Both sofas are out of bounds! The hole is in the bidet in her bathroom. Or the hoop on the floor next to it depending on how squeamish we are feeling. Rim shots are allowed. Par 4.
The second hole, Pool et Pont, starts on the magnificent elevated pool balcony. Play down onto the paving, over the bridge and around to the hole which is underneath the climbing frame. Par 6.
Hole three, Zucchini Jacuzzi, tees off facing the vegetable beds. Play between or over these. Any cocks landing in a bed will need to be dropped back to the point of entry, but without dropping a shot. Avoid the river and plunge pool and the hole is the whole of the jacuzzi lid (very generous!). Par 4.
The fourth starts on the jacuzzi decking. Play Into the Woods to the hole which is behind several trees and some very heavy rough. Par 5.
Hole five starts facing a wall of bamboo and other thick vegetation. Play over this, avoid the river and aim to get your cock on the block to score. Par 3.
The sixth, Ligne de Linge, starts under a tree, presents another couple of trees as hazards and ends in the suspended hole on the washing line. The cock needs to strike the circular part of the target from either side to score. Sometimes it will lodge in the netting, but it does not need to do so in order to score. Par 4.
The seventh hole, Edènedac, is situated on the petanque court. You can stand on the edge to tee off, but keep your cock inside the court. Landing on the edge or completely outside the court is out of bounds. Only one picture required for this! Par 2.
The Jungle Gates is the eighth, which starts on one side of the outdoor dining area, plays through it, out the other side and ends in the raised bed on the other side of the croquet lawn. If your cock ends up suspended in the foliage, this does not count and you will need to drop it back just before the bush. Rim shots on the hole are allowed. Par 4.
The final hole starts in the pergola. Tee off from anywhere inside the railings. Aim across the two levels of fairway to the hole which is located near the corner of the swimming pool. Par 4.
