Biarritz Template

Alex Elias

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Originally designed in 1899 at Biarritz Le Phare by Willie Dunn Jr., the Par-3 3rd, known as ‘Chasm,’ no longer exists, but the ‘Biarritz’ template—later adopted by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor—does. The template’s defining feature is its massive green, stretching 60 to 80 yards, bisected by a prominent swale three to five feet deep and flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Piping Rock Club - No. 9 - 227
Locust Valley, NY

In 1908, C.B. Macdonald designed National Golf Links of America with the goal of creating ‘the perfect golf course.’ His design included the ‘Short,’ ‘Eden,’ and ‘Redan.’ However, it was at Piping Rock Club—not National Golf Links of America—where Macdonald first introduced the ‘Biarritz,’ completing the quartet of one-shot templates later carried forward by Seth Raynor. Notably, the front section of the Biarritz at Piping Rock is maintained as fairway and guarded by a front bunker.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Camargo Club - No. 8 - 227
​Cincinnati, OH
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As at Piping Rock Club, the front section of the Biarritz at Camargo Club is maintained as fairway. The green is smaller than most, measuring just 32 yards from the swale to the back.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Chicago Golf Club - No. 3 - 219
Wheaton, IL
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Designed by C.B. Macdonald in 1894, the Biarritz at Chicago Golf Club was added by Seth Raynor during his 1925 renovation. The green is flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides, as well as in front and behind.​

Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

Dedham Country & Polo Club - No. 14 - 221
Dedham Country & Polo Club
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Designed by Seth Raynor in 1925, Dedham Country & Polo Club was restored in 2017 by Brian Silva. Following the renovation, the Biarritz green now stretches roughly 70 yards from back to front and features a thumbprint just short of the swale.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Elkridge Club - No. 13 - 225
Baltimore, MD

Similar to Dedham Country & Polo Club, the Biarritz at Elkridge Club features a thumbprint just short of the swale. One of the longest Biarritz holes, the slightly downhill hole measures over 250 yards to a back pin.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Fishers Island Club - No. 5 - 229
Fishers Island, NY
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Similar to Piping Rock Club, the front section of the Biarritz at Fishers Island Club is maintained as fairway. Unlike most Biarritz holes, No. 5 plays slightly uphill.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Fox Chapel Golf Club - No. 17 - 231
Pittsburgh, PA
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Fox Chapel Golf Club features the deepest swale of any Biarritz template, measuring roughly five feet.

Metairie Country Club - No. 3 - 248
​Metairie, LA
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Unlike many Golden Age architects who relied on dramatic topography, Raynor often worked with relatively flat, featureless terrain, using templates to create variety and strategic interest. At Metairie Country Club, the Biarritz 3rd is one of several templates that showcase his ability to introduce challenge on otherwise flat land.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Mid-Ocean Club - No. 13 - 238
St.George's, Bermuda
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As at Piping Rock Club, the front section of the Biarritz at Mid-Ocean Club is maintained as fairway.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Mountain Lake - No. 5 - 210
Lake Wales FL
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As Florida golf tends to be homogeneous—flat land, abundant water, and palm trees—Raynor’s templates, including the Biarritz 5th at Mountain Lake, present a striking contrast to other top Florida courses.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Shoreacres - No. 6 - 211
Lake Bluff, IL
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Although the swale at Shoreacres isn’t as severe as at other courses, the tee-to-green topography is relatively flat, allowing the hole to be played as originally intended, with a low shot that runs through the swale to the back portion of the green.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Southampton Golf Club - No. 14 - 189
Southampton, NY
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Although Southampton Golf Club is often overshadowed by its neighbors, Seth Raynor—a founding member—considered the club’s Biarritz to be among his favorites.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

St. Louis Country Club - No. 2 - 225
​St. Louis, MO
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​At St. Louis Country Club, the green is flanked by two bunkers on the left and just one on the right. The latter is especially deep and is known by members as ‘the bunker of death.’​

Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

The Creek - No. 11 - 195
​Locust Valley, NY
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No. 11 at The Creek isn’t just a Biarritz—it’s an island Biarritz.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Westhampton Country Club - No. 17 - 214
Westhampton, NY
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The Biarritz at Westhampton Country Club is flanked by narrow bunkers wrapping around both the front and back.

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@LinksGems)

Yale Golf Course - No. 9 - 209
New Haven, CT
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The 1926 C.B. Macdonald design requires a 200-yard carry over water.