Golfing through Brittany: The Wonders of French Golf

July 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Brittany is famous for those rugged old landscapes, the noble plains, that have been shaped by the elements for centuries. It is land that recalls golf's early days, in which it is as much a game against nature, rather than simply playing a round under a glorious sun, instead more a battle of perseverance and endurance.

While France is not necessarily the most famous of golfing destinations in the world it has its clear advantages, there around 550 courses in the country, which is a quarter of those in the UK, yet it has only 10% of the players, making a round of golf in France a much more relaxed and intimate affair. You can mostly take Brittany at your own pace, and in some places you don't need to present a handicap certificate.

Brittany can be as unpredictable with its weather as Britain, so if you're going for constant sunshine, prepare to be disappointed, but you can at least expect some fine weather to go with your trip, sometimes with a rainy round.

Most years a good starting point or must play course is Freslonnierre, near Rennes, which is returned to by many golf enthusiasts. It is a course cut through the woods, and therefore a demanding, tight squeeze. It's a struggle getting to the green, but getting there won't solve your problems, there are such severe contours that putting in two is a strong achievement. The S shaped par 5 14th hole here is one of the favourites, a hole that will really test your abilities, as every shot has to be perfect between the trees, followed by perfect positioning on the green. Yet if you are planning on visiting in 2010 it is advised against, the course has been in poor condition for the last two years and this has been compensated with wine vouchers. This is a course to check the condition of before visiting. Though it is a pity to miss this course there are still many other great spots to golf in Brittany.

Dinard is a great course, the second oldest in France, and a good way to start your holiday. It features some wonderful views from the back ninth and has a lovely clubhouse serving excellent food and fine wines.

Next stop Pléneuf Val-André, which is a brilliant new course that recently hosted a European Challenge Tour in 2008. This is a clifftop course which has really fast greens and some spectacular views of the ocean. Those with vertigo may find their legs quivering at the eleventh hole as it has one of the highest elevated tees they are likely to see, beaches stretch out on your, and the ball suspends in the air, before mercifully plummeting on to the fairway.

Off the beaten track is Pen Guen, a course that you aren't likely to find in every guide book, but it is certainly worthy of your attention. Not necessarily to everyone's taste, Pen Guen is a short and tight, hilly affair, which to me feels much like pure Golf. Many holes are on the tricky side such as the 5th which offers no tee shot. Though not the best course in the country, certainly one worth playing.

Before leaving it would be recommended to take the trip down to Granville, this is a wonderful old course, built in 1912. If you are Traveling from Cherbourg, you can make your way down here on the last day and catch the ferry down here. It is an easier course to end your trip with, though there some fairly long par fours, and a dogleg on the fifth that will challenge you. The uphill 15th will demand a good drive and strong second.

For a perfect golfing holiday you will find Brittany full of many beautiful gites and vacation rentals to choose from. Allowing you to relax after a tough day on the greens and sojourn into other sides of Brittany to take in local attractions, though you may only be thinking about your next round.