Erbisoeul · Belgium · Hainaut

Royal Golf Club du Hainaut

Les Étangs

The Étangs Course holds a recognized position within Hainaut golf, serving as the club's second loop.

woodland · 9 holes · Par 36 · 6,200 m · 1933
ArchitectTom Simpson
At a glance
The Étangs Course holds a recognized position within Hainaut golf, serving as the club's second loop. Located in Jurbise, in the Hainaut region, this course is set in a wooded landscape where precision from the tee is paramount, complemented by a wetland environment where water regularly influences strategy. It should be presented not merely as a destination, but as a golfing experience unique to Belgium, with its history, architectural choices, relationship with the landscape, and the decisions it demands of the player. The Round selects Les Étangs Course for its architectural, historical, sporting, or territorial value. Les Étangs Course is situated in Jurbise, in the Hainaut region of Belgium. The course unfolds within a wooded terrain where precision from the tee is crucial, supplemented by a wetland environment where water frequently plays a strategic role. This geographical reading should be enhanced by considering the precise nature of the soil, altitude, predominant exposure, winds, vegetation, visible landscapes, and the influence of seasons on playing conditions.
Geography & setting
The course is situated in Erbisoeul, near Mons, on sandy soil covered with heather, gorse, and pine trees. The terrain is naturally well-drained and offers a heathland atmosphere that is rare in Wallonia.
History
The Royal Golf Club du Hainaut was inaugurated in 1933 on the lands of the Princes of Croÿ. Tom Simpson designed the original eighteen holes with the assistance of Charles Warren, the professional at Royal Zoute. The club subsequently expanded to a twenty-seven-hole complex, organized into three loops.
Architecture
The course leverages its woodland/wetland environment to shape angles, hazards, and approaches to the greens. The course features 9 holes, with a par of 36, and measures approximately 3000 meters from the reference markers. The course utilizes its woodland/wetland surroundings to orchestrate angles, obstacles, and green attacks.
The course in detail
The course is relatively flat but highly directional. Trees and heather make lateral errors costly, while the greens demand an approach from the correct angle.
Club experience
The club offers twenty-seven holes, a historic clubhouse, and a renowned culture of hospitality. The course remains playable in many conditions thanks to its natural drainage.
Highlights
Inaugurated in 1933; designed by Tom Simpson with Charles Warren; domain of the Princes of Croÿ; twenty-seven holes across three loops.
Practical information
Official website
golfhainaut.be/
Address
Royal Golf Club du Hainaut, Rue de la Verrerie 2, 7050 Erbisœul, Belgique, Erbisoeul