Ile aux Cerfs
Most of us occasionally daydream about tropical islands, but as a golfer, try imagining one you can only access by boat across warm, lapping waters, where almost the entire island is home to one of the most spectacular golf courses on the planet. Well, you’re pretty much imagining Ile aux Cerfs golf course off the east coast of Mauritius near Trou d’eau Douce.
Perhaps surprisingly, given his seemingly serious demeanour, the man responsible for bringing this magical golfing creation to life in 2003 was Bernhard Langer. The German is to be lauded for the flair and panache that have gone into what may just be the closest living, breathing golf course to one of those fantasy golf calendars.
Everything about the golf experience here is special, and it is wise to think of it as an experience rather than any attempt to beat your handicap, for the
challenges Langer has set are undoubtedly hard in places. But even if your odds of success on certain shots are slim, there’s still enormous fun to be had in trying.
The layout, which occupies a former sugar plantation, is an assault on your visual senses unlike any previous golfing experience you’ve had. You play past white, sandy beaches on the holes around the edges, and through mangrove forests and past volcanic lava outcrops and tropical ponds away from the shore. You’ll remember it all, but standout moments include the short 8th to a raised green, and a strong start to the back nine, where the dogleg-left 12th boasts a stirring backdrop.
To score well, you’ll need your ‘A’ game and a finely tuned radar but playing here isn’t really about scoring well – it’s all about immersing yourself completely in the unique experience that this one-off golf course offers.
You can even stay on the island too in the Bubble Lodge, with its own private beach and distinctive transparent bubble-style suites that let you gaze at the night sky from the comfort of your lounge. Or you may prefer the luxury of the resort’s Shangri-la Le Touessrok hotel just a short boat ride away back on the mainland, which enjoys a glorious oceanside setting in Trou d’eau Douce. The resort offers complimentary daily green fees at Ile aux Cerfs for anyone staying five nights or more.