A blog on the best golf courses in France.
The original Golf Links in Scotland were created by nature, and this also applies to the Links golf courses found along the western coast of France. The Links at Le Touquet have been here for a century, but the courses found in Brittany are even older and more natural.
The first course to be built was at La Baule, where the sporting aristocracy of Paris came for their holidays. La Baule is still one of the biggest golfing centres in France with no fewer than nine different golf clubs, most with 36 holes.
The most striking feature of these links is that they are so natural, and that they blend perfectly into their environment. The dunes are never too high; there are no bunkers, but there is plenty of gorse and heather and sometimes water hazards.
!! LinksGolfFrance.com – the best Links Golf in France – by Ian Blease
Links Golf in France – A Blog about my top 5 links golf courses in France including La Touquet, Le Touquet, Hardelot, Dieppe, St Valery en Caux and Montreuil sur Mer
This blog is a resource for people interested in golfing on some of France’s best links golf courses. Links golf courses are set among sand dunes and have an informal, natural feel. The term ‘links’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon word hlinc, meaning ‘rising ground’. There are many great links golf courses in France and this blog aims to highlight some of the best.
France is home to a diverse range of links golf courses. Mont Saint-Michel Golf Links is one of the country’s most famous; it is located near the world-famous Mont Saint-Michel and has a spectacular backdrop. Other famous links include the Royal Picardy Golf Club, which was founded by Edward VII, and L’Albatros Golf Course at Le National, which plays host to many European Tour tournaments.
It is no secret that golf has a rich and fascinating history. The game has its origins in the Scottish highlands and was first played by shepherds trying to pass the time. Since its inception, it has continued to gain popularity and today nearly 14 million Americans play the game.
Given its popularity, it isn’t surprising that there are over 16,000 golf courses in the United States alone. While there are many courses in the United States, some of the most famous courses in the world can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and France. Below is a shortlist of some of the top links golf courses located in France.
France is home to some of the world’s best links golf courses. Discover these beautiful links courses and plan your next golf vacation.
The French golf scene is dominated by the Alsace region in the east, which has both a beautiful landscape and great courses. The most outstanding course in the region is Severiano Ballesteros’ first creation, [Chateau des Vigiers][1] (courses) in the Dordogne region. It is a traditional layout that takes advantage of the rolling terrain and an old chateau ruins.
The [Golf de la Nivelle][2] is one of France’s top links courses. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from its location near St.-Jean-de-Luz on the Basque coast. The club also has a stunning hotel with incredible views of both the golf course and ocean.
[Golf du Phare][3] (courses) at Biarritz was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. as a links style course that winds through a large dune area overlooking both Biarritz and Anglet beaches within view of the famous lighthouse at Biarritz. The course has hosted many professional competitions, including the French Open in 1973 when Johnny Miller won with
Golf has been played in France since the early 1900s, with over 400 golf courses in the country, many of which are set in magnificent coastal locations. It is the perfect golfing destination for those wanting to combine a great golfing experience with some of the best beaches and most charismatic towns and cities that Europe has to offer. The climate is generally mild, with the average temperature in summer being 27°C (80°F) and 13°C (55°F) in winter.
Golf Course Layout
The majority of French courses are parkland with tree-lined fairways and water hazards, but there are also many stunning links courses on the coast, such as Golf de Saint-Cloud near Paris, Le Touquet Golf Club in the north and Golf de Bordeaux Lac in Aquitaine. A typical French golf course consists of 18 holes over a distance of 5,868 yards. Holes 11 and 12 are often considered to be the signature holes on many French courses. The first hole is usually a par 4 or 5 whereas 18 is typically a par 3 or 4.
Where to Play?
If you want to play golf in Paris then head to Saint-Cloud Golf which is located just 2 miles from Versailles right next
The following golf courses were the first to be established in the early 1900s:
Biarritz,
Deauville,
Chantaco,
Hardelot,
Le Touquet