Where to Take a Golf Break in France This Winter

Winter is a frustrating time for us golfers. Most of the courses in Britain are in "switch-off" mode and jetting off to the Southern Hemisphere is not on the cards. So where do you head to in order to work on your game around Christmas time?

For my money, a golf break in France is an excellent winter option. Even the north of France, with its sandy subsoil and reputation for presenting golf courses in impeccable condition, is a serious temptation. However, the southern half of France - just a 90 minute flight away - will put a spring in your step and keep you away from the crowds of Portugal and Spain. Here are some of the courses in the south of France which you must consider visiting this winter:

Barbaroux

Pete Dye Junior and Senior combined to make this absolute gem. Rated among the World Top 100, Barbaroux presents a stern test and each of the 18 holes presents an entirely different set of challenges. You'll need to be at home with every club in your bag to score well here, and it might be prudent to forget about the scorecard and just have fun out there - even if you're doing badly, the scenery is outstanding. A superb course for your winter golf break in France.

Royal Mougins

Rated in the European Top 50 and with a stunning, and brand-new, hotel and spa on site, this is becoming the talk of the golfing town. Designed by Robert von Hagge and past host to the European Tour, the course is outlandish and brilliant with every type of hazard on offer. It's not particularly long but you need to be a clever player to score well. For after the round, there's great food and the hotel's bedrooms are massive and beautifully-appointed.

Nimes Campagne

You'll need your golfer's intuition to be on top form for this course - knowing when to aim big and when to scale things down is all important here. It's a great course though, host to several European Tour events and definitely one of the highlights of a French golf holiday. It's a parkland affair lovingly created with beautiful trees, cunning greens and just a splash of water.

Chiberta

This is, to me, one of the best links courses in the whole of Europe. A Tom Simpson design, the course offers fabulous Atlantic Ocean views as well as subtle and enjoyable golf that weaves through woodland forcing you to adapt, or watch your scorecard struggle! The clubhouse is lovely and has always offered a delightfully warm welcome. A must-play when visiting the south on a golf holiday in France.

Medoc Les Chateaux

As a regular host of the European Tour and with an impressive 36 holes, you can be sure you're getting a full day's entertainment at Medoc Les Chateaux. Watch out though - it's deceptively tough (gorse and heather and ditches catch many wayward balls) and you need to plan for every hole. The greens and fairways are large but the borders and water hazards are hugely unforgiving. Even at its most frustrating, it's hard to be angry with a course that looks as beautiful as this. With a lovely four-star hotel on site and wine-tasting every where you look, Medoc "ticks the boxes" for many a fair golfer.

Seignosse

You'll need to keep your wits about you to do well at Seignosse - the beautiful Robert von Hagge designed course. Concentrate and you'll find the course quite a fair one and pick up a fair few pars. Olazabal played here before the Masters so similar is the challenge and it's deservedly rated in the World Top 100. Very easy on the eye and great to play. A must play on a French golf holiday.

With all these quality courses, a golf holiday in France's south is worth considering all year round but is an even more enticing proposition when it's only a quick flight from blighty. Of course, from October to March, France offers low-season prices so there's no excuse not to go. Add to this, the delightful culture and splendid gourmet treats and you'll have to agree that a south of France golf break is an outstanding choice.