When tired of the same old courses in the UK, many golfers look to destinations like Spain and Portugal for their fix of greens and fairways to "attack", but this isn't practical for a short golf break. Normandy is the answer: It's local for British golfers, has a wide selection of smart courses, some splendid hotels and enough attractions to keep you busy even when you're off the courses.
The Location
Nowadays it's easier than ever before to get across to France for a visit. Normandy is particularly easy, with a vast choice of traditional and super-fast ferries and the 35 minute Eurotunnel crossing. For golfers in the south, a golf break in Normandy is actually easier to get to than a trip up to Scotland.
Once you get there, Normandy is picturesque with a "very French" mix of ports and resorts, of villages and fields, of chateaux and bustling bars. It's different enough to feel like a proper break, while comfortingly familiar to Anglophiles.
Hospitable Hotels
In terms of welcoming lodgings for a golf holiday, Normandy is very well served. There's everything from the best in luxury and service (Hotel Normandy Barriere, Deauville), smaller charming hotels (Dormy House, Etretat) and city-based accommodation (Mercure Centre, Rouen) to choose from, and the service and atmosphere of them is very friendly. Many of these hotels have excellent restaurants but if you're looking to explore further afield there are plenty of charming eateries offering very reasonable prices. Diners will of course be entranced with the famous seafood,
especially the shellfish. For non-fish eaters, Normans are hearty eaters and love cooking with cream and Calvados. And with a different cheese for every day of the year...Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l'Eveque are all local specialities.
Celebrated Courses
The best thing about a golf holiday in Normandy is its excellent courses. There are many good courses in the region but ones which deserve a special mention are Etretat (one of the best links in France and conveniently adjacent to the Dormy House hotel),
Chateau de la Chouette (a real hidden gem!), Golf Parc (some of the best target golf in the country) and, my personal favourite, Champ de Bataille which is quite stunning and very testing in parts. All told, we recommend 21 courses golf courses in Normandy - you'll be very pleasantly impressed with our choice.
Plenty to Do
Of course the region is best known for the historic Normandy beach landings of June 1944 and there's plenty to honour the memory with some fascinating museums. On top of this, the region is also home to the Bayeux tapestry and the breathtaking Mont St. Michel - one of the most visited sites in the whole of the country.
For a bit of a change from the UK's courses, a Normandy golf break is a great idea. It's local, reasonably priced, has plenty to see and do and of course has some truly memorable golf courses. Take a golf holiday in Normandy and rediscover your love of the game.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A




The four key attributes of successful sports coaches
By: Phil Adams-Wright | 25/11/2009Sports coaches often have a lot that is asked of them, not only are they there to train players and athletes but they need to be a lot of other things too in order to be a success. A good sports coach is not just the coach who has the most successful team. In many cases a sports coach will be aiming to have a team of players that enjoy the sport they’re playing.
Skating on ice
By: Brigette | 25/11/2009Ice skating is a popular leisure time activity and it is also very popular as a sport. There are several popular sports played on ice such as ice hockey, curling and synchronized skating. We also enjoy the immensely popular figure skating which is an Olympic sport consisting of either a single person or a pair performing spins, jumps and other challenging moves on ice.
Softball Tips – Softball Nutrition Tips
By: Marc Dagenais | 25/11/2009The food that you eat affects the way you perform on the field. There are short term and long term effects, and being aware of them would help you keep your food intake at bay if you want to always be at the top of your game.
Choosing the Best Pool / Billiard Table For Your Rec Room
By: Jimmy Mathews | 25/11/2009Once you've made the decision to purchase a billiard table, you are presented with the task of choosing which one is right for you. There are many different factors that could determine which one you should buy including, how big it is, what it's made from, the size and material...
Building a Billiard and Game Room on a Budget
By: Jimmy Mathews | 25/11/2009Building a billiard and game room on a budget can be a challenge that the whole family can get involved in. A billiard and game room will be a great place for gatherings and for entertainment. The Plan There should be a plan put in place when building a billiard and game...
Boys Night Out in the Basement - the Ultimate Poker Room
By: Jimmy Mathews | 25/11/2009Over the past fifteen years poker has become very popular. It has moved from a back room casino game into the homes of many who invite their friends over once a week or twice a month for a poker party. As with many leisure pursuits, some people are content with...
Billiard Room Designs
By: Jimmy Mathews | 25/11/2009Billiards is a classic game that has been played in some form or another for centuries. It's a game for people of all ages, and today is being played in pool halls across the country. The popular trend however, is for people to get out of the pool halls in...
Best Game Room Accessories
By: Jimmy Mathews | 25/11/2009So, you've built your game room. You have the bar, the refrigerator and the furniture. You have the pool table or card table. It still doesn't seem quite right? What's missing? Accessories. What are the best game room accessories that will give that bland game your personal touch? The possibilities...
The Most Famous Golf Courses in Scotland
By: Morgan Clarke | 12/03/2009 | TravelAs the pound continues to tumble against the Euro, UK golfers looking to travel abroad may find themselves frustrated by the increased cost of travel, accommodation and green fees in Europe. Traditional golf holiday destinations such as France and the Algarve have become more expensive, but the increased cost of...
Why Take a Self Drive Golf Holiday in Northern France
By: Morgan Clarke | 12/03/2009 | TravelWhether you want to take the Eurotunnel under the channel for an early tee time, or sail across and spend a longer holiday amongst the available holes, self drive golf holidays in France are incredibly enjoyable and well worth the trip. We examine why you should chose to drive yourself...
The Best Golf Courses in Wales
By: Morgan Clarke | 12/03/2009 | Sports & FitnessWales is often overlooked in favour of other countries in the UK for golf breaks. However, we believe that Wales has some excellent courses and clubs that can hold their own against their bigger and better known brothers and sisters. We have a look at some of the best golf...
Five of the Best Turkish Golf Courses
By: Morgan Clarke | 12/03/2009 | TravelWhen it comes to golf breaks away from the UK, there is a new destination that is rapidly becoming highly regarded for European golf holidays - Turkey. With its Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastline and a rapidly growing selection of top quality golf courses, it is hoping to become a genuine...
The Top Five Places to Stay on Your Golfing Holiday in France
By: Morgan Clarke | 18/02/2009 | TravelFrance is a golf enthusiasts' heaven. However, it also boasts more hotels than any other European country and this huge choice can confuse and waste time. Plus, the hotel star-rating in France does not include a Five-Star - even though the country has several of the finest hotels in the...
Top Ten Golfing Faux Pas to Avoid on a Golfing Holiday
By: Morgan Clarke | 18/02/2009 | TravelA beginner's guide to golf For a seemingly easy idea, golf is rather complex. There are rules to govern almost every eventuality, but if a novice were to learn the rule book and practice endlessly, he would still be unprepared. This is because there are a series of unwritten rules as...
The Top Five Golf Courses in Britain
By: Morgan Clarke | 18/02/2009 | TravelBritain is the home of golf and offers some of fabulous courses for those looking for a golf break in the UK. Today, golf holidays in Britain are more and more popular as the condition of courses improve and the welcome and service get better. Plus, there's no concern about...
Five Highlights of Golf in the Loire Valley
By: Morgan Clarke | 29/12/2008 | TravelThe Loire Valley is known as one of the most beautiful regions in France - rolling hills, beautiful chateaux, and lush countryside all along the length of the Loire River at its heart. Away from the crowds at the golf courses in the North of France, golf in the Loire...