Le Touessrok golf course Mauritius

A ‘Top 10 Golf Course in the World’ Golf World Magazine.

The 87 hectare Ile Aux Cerfs has a coastline of little bays, inlets and promontories – natural undulating topography, volcanic rock outcrops, lakes and gullies, and a variety of tropical trees and plants. The course covers 38 hectares and is the longest in Mauritius, with the holes snaking up and down the length of the island.

All 18 holes have views of the ocean – some with glimpses across clearings through the trees; others by coming close to the shore. Expansive white sand bunkers and water set off the natural backdrop of trees and vegetation perfectly. Water is an essential feature of the course. There are nine lakes in all, and three of the holes require tee shots across sea inlets to the fairways.

Bernhard Langer designed the course to challenge advanced players, while remaining exciting and playable for recreational golfers. This is achieved with four sets of tee decks for each hole, so the angles of attack and approach vary. There is a generous provision of fairway where appropriate. The greens are mainly small and undulating, requiring precise approach shots.

Hole 1 Lava Rock 425 yards/389 metres Par 4
A good tee shot must carry a natural pond and volcanic lava rock-face. The second shot should be aimed at the left-hand side of the generous green, sloping towards the guarding bunkers.

Hole 2 Wee View 360 yards/329 metres Par 4
A birdie opportunity for most golfers – with a good tee shot required and precise second shot to a small and undulating green
perched above the level of the fairway.

Hole 3 Rock Ridge 182 yards/166 metres Par 3
The prevailing wind at the golfers back makes this hole play a little shorter than it looks, but be thankful for a par and move on.

Hole 4 Split Decision 566 yards/518 metres Par 5
A real birdie or eagle chance for most players. A good tee shot followed by an accurate second shot that must avoid a rock ridge
which splits the middle of the fairway and offers two distinct routes to the green.

Hole 5 Tidal Pool 390 yards/357 metres Par 4
After a tee shot towards the right side of the fairway, the second shot here is key to a good score as the green is guarded by one
of the prettiest tidal pools on Ile aux Cerfs.

Hole 6 Beach 657 yards/601 metres Par 5
The long sixth plays along the full length of the spectacular beach. The tee is towards the right side of the fairway, which sweeps
around the dogleg towards the generous sloping green.

Hole 7 Mangrove 432 yards/395 metres Par 4
An accurate tee shot is required on this dogleg hole to avoid the trees on both sides of the fairway. The tides slip in and out of the playing areas on the second shot.

Hole 8 Plateau Verde 125 yards/114 metres Par 3
This little gem offers a short but demanding tee shot. The elevated green is perched high above the fairway and surrounded by mangrove trees and volcanic lava outcrops.

Hole 9 Turn 562 yards/514 metres Par 5
This classic dogleg is played across a pond to a spectacular green perched on top of a rock. The green is receptive enough for the long hitters to have a go with their second shots.

Hole 10 Banyan 409 yards/374 metres Par 4
The start of the back nine requires a good tee shot avoiding a large Banyan tree on the left. A testing approach shot to the small
sloping green must skirt the mangrove forest.

Hole 11 Round the Bend 618 yards/565 metres Par 5
The long eleventh plays towards the sea with views of the mountains on the mainland. A bunker guards the inside of the dogleg on the second shot, while the green is protected left and right by bunkers.

Hole 12 Cat and Mouse 457 yards/418 metres Par 4
With the hole falling away to the beach surrounded by sand, the view of the Cat and Mouse mountain on the second shot is truly memorable. But focus on golf, and come away with a par.

Hole 13 Rock Ledge 188 yards/172 metres Par 3
The tee is near the beach and the wind will normally be coming from the right. The green is tucked between rock ledges left and right and just over a tidal pool.

Hole 14 Slot 337 yards/308 metres Par 4
The truly courageous player can have a go at this par 4 green from the tee. A smarter play may be a lay-up to a level fairway lie
and a short approach to a long narrow green.

Hole 15 Razorback 183 yards/167 metres Par 3
A narrow ridge-running par 3 with the prevailing wind from the left. Keep the tee shot low, and a generous, receptive green awaits.

Hole 16 Little Dell 369 yards/337 metres Par 4
The different tees are stretched out along a ridge, dramatically changing the angle of play, from a carry over mangroves and the sharp dogleg to a straight tee shot. The green is protected by two small volcanic outcrops.

Hole 17 Tree-tops 378 yards/346 metres Par 4
The tee shot must carry a mangrove bay. The approach shot is to a narrow green hard by the coastline and must negotiate a small
bunker guarding the front of the green.

Hole 18 Carry Me Home 418 yards/382 metres Par 4
The mangroves must be carried on the tee shot and again on the approach. The green offers a huge, three-level target. A par on this hole gives a true sense of accomplishment.