FRANCE

Europe’s most undervalued golf destination has much to offer... both north and south

After its moment hogging the global golf limelight during the Ryder Cup, France is keen to build on the success of Paris by attracting more golfers from all over the world to play there.

Brits who’ve headed across the Channel, whether to the northern links layouts of Le Touquet or the southern woodlands like Terre Blanche, know only too well how good the golf – as well as the food, the accommodation and the weather – can be. But for the rest of you, here’s an inkling…

NORTHERN FRANCE

Because of its proximity to the Channel, northern France has been particularly susceptible to British influence and has consequently more golf courses per square kilometre than anywhere else in the country. So much so that many of them have been designed by Brits and, by and large, it’s our green fees that help sustain them.

Starting in the east just south of Calais, there is a fabulous cluster of quality courses. Hardelot’s two layouts – Dunes and Pines – have both recently undergone dramatic improvements that have propelled them further up the rankings. Nearby Le Touquet – otherwise known as Paris Bythe-sea, has another glorious old course that has benefited from an extensive makeover. La Mer (Sea) is spectacular; the views, bunkering and sensual contouring all contribute to an unforgettable round.

It is solidly supported by the neighbouring Forest layout; combined, they make the perfect golf day out though ideally you should play them separately and give yourself time to appreciate them both.

Le Touquet is a cool place to visit, a chic getaway frequented by the rich and famous. Even French President Macron has a holiday home in the town.

But back to the golf; head a little further south along the Cote d’opale for beautiful Belle Dune. More youthful than the others, it nevertheless can hold its own in the best of company. Located in the heart of a pretty nature reserve, it weaves through maritime pines and then towering dunes.

Leaving Pas de Calais we now enter Normandy to play one of the oldest courses in France, Golf de Dieppe-pourville. It’s a wonderful clifftop course with superb views. It reeks of history and the clubhouse is a classic that is undergoing renovation. Avoid the sometimes busy weekends if you can.

There’s another very old and even more spectacular clifftop course on the western edge of the delightful seaside town of Etretat. It’s definitely not a suitable venue for the Vertigo Sufferers Society golf day as the cliffs are very high and, when the wind howls, keeping your ball on the course can be something of a struggle.

Continuing further to the south and west we arrive at fashionable Deauville with its wonderfully wide sandy beach. A mile or so inland standing proudly on a hill is the superb Golf Barriere Deauville. With great views over the town, this parkland course designed by Tom Simpson enjoys plenty of elevation and is blissfully free of water hazards.

Better known for less peaceable reasons than golf, Omaha Beach has four loops of nine including the loveliest of the lot, La Mer. German defence installations next to the 6th green that rained fire on the Allied forces scrambling up the beach below put missed putts into perspective.

Around on the western side of the Cotentin peninsula is possibly the purest links course in France. A classic Colt and Alison design with distinctive plateau greens, Golf de Granville recently celebrated its centenary and has benefited from a fair amount of refurbishment. Fashion designer Christian Dior, who lived nearby, loved the course and the Dior Cup is still an annual event.

It’s well worth noting that the new Golf Pass Normandy (www.golfinnormandy. com) can get you on 20 of the region’s leading courses, providing a 15% discount when you book online. Participating courses are: Amirauté, Barrière de Deauville, Barrière Saint-julien, Bellême, Cabourg-le-hôme, Centre Manche, Champ de Bataille, Domaine du Golf de Clécy, Côte des Isles, Coutainville, Deauville Saintgatien, Dieppe-pourville, Etretat, Garden Golf d’evreux, Granville, Jumièges le Mesnil, Normandie Côte d’albâtre, Omaha Beach, PGA France du Vaudreuil and Garden Golf de Rouen La Forêt Verte.

Heading further west, we enter Brittany where the rugged terrain and wilder weather is reminiscent of Scotland. Just to the west of St Malo is the truly stunning links course at Dinard, which was appropriately built by a Scotsman, Tom Dunn. With views of the sea on every hole and arguably the most beautiful clubhouse in the world, Dinard definitely must not be missed.