Distinguished guests at the heart of the Golf Bastide de la Salette course

At Golf Bastide de la Salette, every detail counts—even those you barely notice. As you stroll between the fairways and greens, you may have spotted small wooden structures discreetly integrated into the landscape. These installations aren’t there by chance: they are actual insect hotels, designed to support the biodiversity essential to the course’s ecological balance.

In this natural setting nestled in the heart of the Marseille hills, golf is as much a sporting experience as it is an immersion in a living environment. These new “distinguished guests” play a full part in this harmony.

A golf course is much more than just a playground. It is an ecosystem where every species plays a role. By installing these insect hotels, the Golf Bastide de la Salette provides a refuge for these unassuming yet indispensable creatures.

Among them, mason bees—true experts in pollination—contribute to the richness and diversity of the course’s flora. Ladybugs, for their part, act as natural regulators by limiting the presence of aphids. Even more discreet, lacewings also contribute to this delicate balance by feeding on many harmful insects.

These tiny creatures, often invisible to the naked eye, nevertheless play an active role in the vitality of the golf course.

Through this initiative, the club is demonstrating a clear commitment: to promote a more natural approach to course management, based on the ecological balance of living organisms.
Encouraging the presence of beneficial insects helps limit the use of pesticides, while strengthening the natural resilience of the turf and plantings.

This approach is part of a sustainable vision of golf, where the quality of the game goes hand in hand with a genuine respect for the environment. At Golf Bastide de la Salette, nature is not merely a backdrop: it is a full-fledged partner.

Contrary to popular belief, the insects that inhabit these shelters are completely harmless. They don’t seek contact and are far too busy with their tasks to disturb your game.

On your next visit, take a moment to observe these habitats. You might spot a bee hard at work or a ladybug exploring. It’s these little details that make every round unique.

And for the curious among you, why not capture these encounters? Golf can also be experienced in a different way—through these moments when nature reveals itself.

At Golf Bastide de la Salette, every initiative serves as a reminder that a golf course can be a place of camaraderie, well-being, and respect for the natural world.
Because here, the joy of the game always goes hand in hand with a deep appreciation for nature.