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THE PLAYLIST: WESTERN NORMANDY
There's a choice of links courses along Normandy's west coast at Granville and Coutainville with stylish Dinard across the Bay of Mont St Michel. The east coast is steeped in the historical connections of Bayeux and D-Day. Omaha Beach Golf Club has two courses next to the eponymous landing beach and an easy drive from the ports of St Malo, Cherbourg or Caen.
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GRANVILLE GOLF CLUB - Bay of Mont Saint-Michel
Often celebrated as the most beautiful golf links in France the genuine character of this very old golf links, born from the inspiration of Colt and Alison has been preserved and improved over the years. It has undergone a programme of renovation and maintenance since 2006, and is a true golf links in the great tradition of its British cousins. The Dunes, a 9 superb hole golf course with beautiful greens is an excellent addition. Bay of Mont Saint-Michel
COTENTIN PENNINSULA – Fontenay-Sur-Mer
Located in the bay of the Cherbourg Peninsula between Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and SainteMère-Eglise, the golf course is a historic seaside 9 hole course, designed in the 70's in the true tradition of links-courses, and a more recent 9 hole course designed by Yves Bureau in 2008 in a unique natural area on the edge of the Natural Park of the Wetlands of the Cherbourg Peninsula and Bessin.
OMAHA BEACH – Port-en-Bessin
Between Le Touquet and La Baule, only one golf club features two 18 hole courses. Just 3 miles from the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach is also a historic place which evokes respect and emotion. Two exceptional courses which can't be missed: one which runs down to the sea offering breathtaking views of the Channel before moving through the countryside, the other which looks down on the Manoir du Baron Gerard before challenging you with a series of lakes.
COUTAINVILLE GOLF COURSE – Agon-Coutainville
The golf course at Coutainville lies between the sea and the countryside, close to both the town centre and the beach. It has 14 holes laid out as links, and another 4 holes amongst hedges. The course contains a number of hidden traps, in particular its very subtle par 3's surrounded by bunkers. There are also water hazards, including a new one at the 9th hole constructed in 2011, which all demand precise stroke play while being aesthetically pleasing.
GOLF D’ETRETAT
This spectacular links golf course is set on top of the cliffs and is perched high above the English Channel. As you would expect the views are nothing short of stunning and some of the golf holes run dangerously close to the edge of the sea, slicers beware! This historic championship golf course was first laid out in 1908 and is considered to be one of the best golf courses in all of France.
