Want Stylish Golf? Then visit France

While France may not have the golfing history of it’s near neighbours in the British Isles - there is much to excite the golfing visitor. France has approximately 520 golf courses, 25 of these ranking amongst the best in Europe. Add to this amazing geographically diversity, stunning French cuisine and the passion of the French for all things sport - and you soon realise why visitors come to France to golf.

While the Scots are proud of having invented the game and express this pride at every opportunity, the French are now disparaging that claim with proof that some rudimentary golf was first played by shepherds in the Loire region of France, three whole centuries before the Scots took to it. There is a book on the subject ‘Golf Through The Ages, 600 Years of Golfing Art’, published recently it has met with a firm rebuke from the Scots. As a golfing visitor best leave claims and counter claims to the history books and focus on the captivating golf on offer.

For instance, the 3rd hole at Golf de Morfontaine, one of the top 100 courses in the world according to the Golf Digest. Set in the scenic Chantilly region, just 30 miles north of Paris, Morfontaine is an 18-hole, 1927 Tom Simpson design. Although open only to members, Golf de Morfontaine is on almost every golf holiday maker’s wish list. The trouble is in finding a club member who can sneak you in!

The idea of a golf vacation in France is a seductive one. It paints a picture of bubbly wines, beautiful women and gastronomic cuisine. But the lure of courses like Le Golf National (L’Albatros) is stronger for John Doe to keep the golf tour strictly golf. This one is an inland links and one of the finest France has to offer. A must have on any golf package worth its salt, L’Albatros is located in the flatlands of Guyancourt engulfing the sensational Chateau of Versailles once inhabited by Louis XIV.

If you are planning to spend some time here, lets look at the option. There are 3 different courses to choose from – the 18-hole L’Albatros, the 18-hole L’Aigle and the 9-hole L’ Oiselet. L’Albatros, designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge in the late ‘80s is time intensive, Scottish links style course with the last four holes being the toughest. All three courses are worth allocating a day or two of your golf vacation time and give good value for money.

Golf holidays in France need not be restricted to only Golf Digest approved top 100 courses. There is so much golf to be played that one golf tour may not be enough. Just about every region boasts of courses of varying degrees of challenge and about the same degree of beauty that one associates with France. Try the Tom Simpson designed Chiberta Golf Club 3 kms north of Biarritz – which by the way is one place you cannot miss, golf travel or no golf travel. A stunning 18-hole links style course that is sure to spring a surprise or two, although it makes for leisurely play given the almost guaranteed good weather. While you are in Biarritz make the customary stop at the Biarritz golf club, expensive but worth the experience.

Golf travel in France can be extensive if you want to pack in as many courses as possible in one golf vacation. There is Chambor-sur-Lignon golf club in Burgandy, St. Laurent Golf Club in Bretagne and the Aix-Les-Baines Golf Club in Cote d’Azur. Even if you get to play all of these courses you still would have only just wet your ankles. Our suggestion – when you get back home start planning your next golf tour de France and remember to include the Pete Dye designed Barbaroux in your golf package this time.