Golf de Chiberta
Laid out by the great Tom Simpson in 1927 along the Atlantic at Anglet, between Bayonne and Biarritz, Golf de Chiberta is one of the most characterful rounds in France, a rare blend of open links by the dunes and tight holes through the pines. A par 70 of about 5,647 metres, it asks for shotmaking and nerve rather than brute length, and it remains a firm favourite of the Basque coast.
Photo: jimmy lateuliere via Google.
The verdict
Chiberta is golf of two worlds, and that is its charm. Tom Simpson, commissioned in the 1920s to build something exceptional on this strip of Basque coast, routed the course so that several holes run out across exposed links land by the Atlantic dunes while others thread through a dense forest of pines and tamarisk. The contrast keeps you honest: the wind dictates play on the open holes, and precision is everything among the trees.
It is not a long course by modern standards, and it does not pretend to be. Simpson's genius was in angles and hazards, and Chiberta rewards the player who can flight the ball, shape a tee shot and think a hole ahead. Combined with the gentle Basque climate, the atmospheric old clubhouse and the proximity of Biarritz, it makes a wonderful centrepiece for a southwest France golf trip alongside its famous neighbours.
Chiberta at a glance
- Opened
- 1927
- Designer
- Tom Simpson
- Type
- Links and forest
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 5,647 m
- Green fee
- EUR 65 to 110
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Golf de Chiberta was designed by Tom Simpson and opened in 1927, a par 70 of about 5,647 metres, roughly 6,176 yards. Indicative 2025 visitor green fees run from around 65 euros on weekdays to about 110 euros at weekends, and figures change by season and year, so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Chiberta opens and closes inland among the pines, but the heart of the round is the run of holes out by the ocean, where the dunes, the wind and the firm turf bring true links golf to the Basque coast. On these holes the ground game returns, and the player who keeps the ball low and finds the right side of the fairway is rewarded.
Simpson's bunkering is the constant theme, beautifully placed to punish the careless line and to tempt the bold one. The greens are not large, and they sit cleverly within their surrounds, so distance control and a deft short game matter more here than raw power. The forest holes demand straight driving, with little room to spray it among the trees.
Played in a fresh Atlantic breeze, Chiberta becomes a stern and absorbing test that has lost none of its bite in nearly a century. It is a course to study and to savour, and most visitors leave wanting to return to play it again in the company of nearby Biarritz and the links of the Landes coast.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A welcoming members club that takes visitors through the week; a handicap certificate and smart golf attire are expected |
| Green fee | Indicative 2025 from around 65 euros on weekdays to about 110 euros at weekends for 18 holes |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in summer and around the Biarritz season, online or through a trip planner |
| On the day | A walkable course; buggies are limited, and a trolley or caddie is the traditional way around |
| Getting there | At Anglet between Bayonne and Biarritz, about 10 minutes from Biarritz airport |
| Best months | May to October for warm, settled weather, with spring and autumn the quietest and best value |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the club and operator listings; they change by season and year, so always confirm current rates and tee times directly before booking with Golf de Chiberta or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Biarritz is the obvious base, a grand old resort town of belle epoque hotels, surf beaches and superb Basque dining, all within a short drive of Chiberta and the airport. A Biarritz base puts the coast, the town and several courses within easy reach.
For a links tour of the southwest, pair Chiberta with Biarritz Le Phare and the great courses of the Landes coast around Hossegor and Seignosse, one of the most appealing concentrations of golf in France, all within a comfortable drive.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Biarritz and the Basque coast.
Build a Biarritz golf trip
We secure the Chiberta tee times, pair them with Biarritz Le Phare and the Landes links, and book a base in Biarritz around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Chiberta questions
Who designed Golf de Chiberta and when did it open?
Golf de Chiberta was designed by the celebrated British architect Tom Simpson and opened in 1927 at Anglet, on the Atlantic coast between Bayonne and Biarritz. It remains one of Simpson's most admired works in France.
What is the par and length of Chiberta?
Chiberta plays as a par 70 of about 5,647 metres, roughly 6,176 yards, from the back tees. It mixes open links holes by the dunes with tighter holes through pine forest, so position and shotmaking matter more than length.
How much does it cost to play Chiberta in 2025?
Indicative 2025 green fees run from around 65 euros on weekdays to about 110 euros at weekends for 18 holes, with seasonal variation. Figures change by season and year, so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Can visitors play Golf de Chiberta?
Yes. Chiberta is a members club that welcomes visitors through the week, subject to a handicap certificate and smart golf attire. Book ahead in the busy summer season and confirm current rates and tee times directly before traveling.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.