An Insight Into Golfing in Normandy
Links and Parkland Layouts in One of France's Most Beautiful Regions
Jul 29, 2009
For an essentially uncomplicated pastime, golf can be a finicky thing to get wrapped up in. There’s a gargantuan rulebook to contend with for one, not to mention technological advances in equipment seemingly designed to empty the wallet quicker than an overly enthusiastic swing. Thankfully, it's easy enough to forget all the extraneous nonsense when posited, driver in hand, on a tee on the Normandy coastline with the sun casting little shards of light across the shimmering expanse of sea stretching off into the horizon.
While it would be pushing it somewhat to call Normandy an undiscovered gem, its proximity to the UK often counts against it with many golfers opting for the Iberian resorts and destinations such as Dubai and Malaysia where the unstoppable construction of plush, manicured courses are testament to the sport's global pull and its tendency towards environmentally suspect excess.
Normandy offers something humbler, but no less appealing – its wealth of courses providing a range of challenges at highly competitive rates. Not only that, but the region itself is one of France's most distinct and beautiful, offering gastronomic and cultural experiences the equal of any in the country.
There’s a host of quality layouts in the region – for a fuller round-up check out the Normandy Tourist Board’s website – but these five are enough to whet the appetite in the meantime.
Parkland, Links and History at Omaha Beach
History and golf merge flawlessly at this 36-hole seaside complex. The two courses are situated just 3 miles from the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer and reminders of the Allied effort are never far away, especially on the La Mer course where the showpiece 6th hole runs towards the artificial port of Arromanches. There’s also an artillery bunker adjacent to the putting surface on the same hole. The two courses here are very different. La Mer combines a fantastic links first nine with a slightly less interesting parkland closing nine, while the newer Le Manoir layout winds its way through water hazards and typically rolling Norman countryside. Key holes on Le Mer are the spectacular downhill dogleg 3rd, the spectacular ocean-lined 6th and the 14th, a short but testing par 4.
American-style thrills at Amiraute Golf
Although less renowned than its famous near-neighbour Golf Barriere de Deauville, Amiraute is far from overshadowed. Set amidst picture-perfect lush countryside behind Deauville, the course is reminiscent of an American layout thanks to its giant bunkers and extensive array of water hazards. Despite that, it retains a quirky character all of its own. The Arts course is dotted with slightly scary contemporary sculptures, but that’s the only thing that jars about the experience here. Top holes include the 3rd, a snaking par-5 with water to the right of the fairway and in front of the green, the 11th, a picture-perfect downhill dogleg, and the 13th which features a death or glory blind tee-shot over a river bend.
Heritage and Prime Parkland at Golf Barriere de Deauville
As one of northern France’s top seaside resorts, Deauville has a gilded reputation to uphold. Thankfully its premier golf course doesn’t let the side down in any way. The 27 holes here meander their perfectly manicured way through the beautifully maintained parkland surrounding a grand hotel. The three nine-hole courses are set on an elevated tract of land which means fantastic views of the town and of the sea, but it’s hard to get distracted from the faultless golf on offer. The two courses most commonly combined to make a full 18 are the ‘Rouge’ – designed by Tom Simpson – and the ‘Blanc’ which was designed by Henry Cotton. The additional Cotton-designed ‘Bleu’ course is none too shabby either. The pick of the holes are the 4th on the Blanc course, an uphill par-4 played through a funnel of trees to an elevated green, and the 6th on the Bleu course, a wicked right-hand dogleg.
Undiscovered Enjoyment at Golf de Vire-La-Dathee
Situated in the depths of Normandy’s interior, this hidden gem is not the easiest course to find. It’s worth seeking out though both for the friendly reception and the exacting nature of the golf. There is certainly no shortage of tough holes. On the first nine, the par-three 8th demands pin point accuracy due to the presence of some mature trees and a lake in front of the target. Another beauty is the 10th, a par -4 which winds its way down around a pretty lake from an elevated tee towards a green surrounded by bunkers.
A new Links Horizon at Golf de la Presqu’ile du Contentin
Formerly a nine-hole course, the layout at Fontenay has been extended and opens to the public under its new name this summer. The new holes – designed by French architect Yves Bureau – will extend inland and will be of a parkland character, but the charming links holes that made up the old course will remain integral to the new set-up.
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