Record summer heat and severe drought in Auch, France, have scorched the Embats golf course, forcing owner Jacques Dupuy to restrict watering and adapt to falling visitor numbers.
Dupuy, who operates the 18-hole venue in the Gers department, reported that yellowing turf, restricted night-only irrigation, and altered player schedules have transformed operations during what is normally peak season.
Auch, located in the Occitanie region of southwestern France, typically experiences hot summer weather, but local operators noted that high temperatures arrived earlier than usual in June 2026, intensifying moisture loss across regional landscapes.
Watering Restrictions and Greens Maintenance
The Embats golf course covers roughly 10 hectares of playing area within a larger 48-hectare property. Unlike venues built on specially sown turfgrass, the course was established on a natural meadow, making it particularly vulnerable to prolonged dry spells.
To conserve water and comply with active drought regulations, irrigation is strictly limited to overnight hours. Water is directed exclusively to the greens, which surrounding the flags represent the most critical playing zones on the course.
Dupuy explained that tee boxes and fairways are no longer watered, warning that allowing the greens to burn out entirely would cost a fortune to rebuild. Even on the greens, low system pressure prevents complete coverage, leaving small dry patches visible across the grass.
While certain drought-resistant species such as couch grass have managed to survive the intense sun, they remain insufficient to maintain a green appearance across the expansive grounds.
Golf course irrigation in France is governed by municipal and departmental water management frameworks during heatwaves, requiring facilities to prioritize essential playing surfaces while curtailing general landscape watering.
Adjusted Player Schedules and Altered Gameplay
The persistent heat has forced local golfers to alter their daily routines. Dupuy observed that visitors now arrive as early as 7:00 AM and depart by 11:00 AM, leaving the venue largely empty during afternoon hours.
Thomas, an amateur golfer visiting different regional courses whose name was modified by reporters, noted that many facilities across the area face identical conditions. He said players must simply adapt to outdoor conditions by booking earlier tee times.
The parched terrain has also changed the physics of play. Dupuy noted that dry, hardened ground causes golf balls to roll significantly further than usual, though golfers remain understanding of the environmental constraints facing venue operators.
Reduced Attendance and Broader Environmental Impact
The decline in player visits marks the most significant commercial consequence for the facility. July and August traditionally account for a substantial portion of annual revenue, but extreme heat has driven away many regular players.
Dupuy noted that summer tourists are unlikely to adjust their vacation dates to visit during cooler months, leaving seasonal attendance lower than expected despite peak holiday travel across France.
Beyond the scorched turf, severe weather has weakened trees across the 48-hectare estate. Several trees collapsed during winter storms earlier in the year, and another tree fell recently without warning due to heat stress.
Although light rain began to fall during Dupuy's inspection of the course, he emphasized that a brief shower would not resolve the dry spell. He estimated that 20 to 25 millimeters of steady rainfall alongside cooler temperatures will be required before the grass begins to turn green again.
