Golf in Normandy
If you have never tried golf in France - why not?
We hear plenty of those lovely golfing holidays in Spain and Portugal, those lovely greens and great sun that our friends are always telling us about. But Normandy has this and much more to offer.
Whether you are a serious golfer, a novice or someone like myself who is looking for a fun day out the beautiful course at Bagnoles de l’Orne in Lower Normandy caters for all.
I had played a little before so, when our golfing enthusiastic friends, who were staying in a French cottage in the nearby village of Juvigny sous Andaine, asked my husband and I if we would like to have a go, I off course, said ‘Why not’. I had driven past the course often and thought (as you do) ‘I must try that some time’. We simply went along, paid the cheap day fee, and without any need to make an advanced booking, started playing.
My first experience of golf in France was very different from what I had experienced before. I had images of hordes of professional golfers all in a hurry, waiting impatiently in line and edging us ‘novices’ to move on. Instead, we had a wonderful, relaxing, even if amusing 3 or 4 hours on a lovely almost empty green that seemed to stretch forever, under a beautiful blue sky. The green was perfect, we had winding rivers and sand banks to keep us on our toes and as the course lies on the edge of the Normandy National Forest Park we didn’t mind the occasional interruptions from the local wildlife.
Ever since then we play regularly. Often towards the end of our time at the course we take advantage of the practice putting green beside the clubhouse (where we have had many a light refreshment - ‘the French way’) and then we might take a short stroll into the very pretty village of Bagnoles where you sit by the lake and soak in the local atmosphere of a French spa town.
I have met many people and made friends at the golf club. There are those, like ourselves, who golf regularly and like the slow, quiet pace that you can go round the 9 holes (soon to be 18); and, there are others like our golfing friends who love to spend their frequent visits to Normandy golfing. Some have even taken annual membership and come over, stay in a local gite, and participate in the competitions, which take place in the summer.
So, if you happen to pass Bagnoles de l’Orne some day ‘why not’ come along to the Golf Course. Or even better rent a gite and make a week of it! For a challenging course, in beautiful natural surroundings Bagnoles is worth a visit. If it happens to be on a Monday I might be there - I’m the one still having to carry a ball scoop!!
Averillann lives with her family in France and owns 3 successful business - a holiday business in rural Normandy, offering gite, cottage and chambres d’hôtes accommodation to suit all needs and tastes; and, a beauty & gift boutique and an online shop.
<http://www.atgbeauty.blogspot.com/>
<http://www.francefr.blogspot.com>
If you have never tried golf in France - why not?
We hear plenty of those lovely golfing holidays in Spain and Portugal, those lovely greens and great sun that our friends are always telling us about. But Normandy has this and much more to offer.
Whether you are a serious golfer, a novice or someone like myself who is looking for a fun day out the beautiful course at Bagnoles de l’Orne in Lower Normandy caters for all.
I had played a little before so, when our golfing enthusiastic friends, who were staying in a French cottage in the nearby village of Juvigny sous Andaine, asked my husband and I if we would like to have a go, I off course, said ‘Why not’. I had driven past the course often and thought (as you do) ‘I must try that some time’. We simply went along, paid the cheap day fee, and without any need to make an advanced booking, started playing.
My first experience of golf in France was very different from what I had experienced before. I had images of hordes of professional golfers all in a hurry, waiting impatiently in line and edging us ‘novices’ to move on. Instead, we had a wonderful, relaxing, even if amusing 3 or 4 hours on a lovely almost empty green that seemed to stretch forever, under a beautiful blue sky. The green was perfect, we had winding rivers and sand banks to keep us on our toes and as the course lies on the edge of the Normandy National Forest Park we didn’t mind the occasional interruptions from the local wildlife.
Ever since then we play regularly. Often towards the end of our time at the course we take advantage of the practice putting green beside the clubhouse (where we have had many a light refreshment - ‘the French way’) and then we might take a short stroll into the very pretty village of Bagnoles where you sit by the lake and soak in the local atmosphere of a French spa town.
I have met many people and made friends at the golf club. There are those, like ourselves, who golf regularly and like the slow, quiet pace that you can go round the 9 holes (soon to be 18); and, there are others like our golfing friends who love to spend their frequent visits to Normandy golfing. Some have even taken annual membership and come over, stay in a local gite, and participate in the competitions, which take place in the summer.
So, if you happen to pass Bagnoles de l’Orne some day ‘why not’ come along to the Golf Course. Or even better rent a gite and make a week of it! For a challenging course, in beautiful natural surroundings Bagnoles is worth a visit. If it happens to be on a Monday I might be there - I’m the one still having to carry a ball scoop!!
Averillann lives with her family in France and owns 3 successful business - a holiday business in rural Normandy, offering gite, cottage and chambres d’hôtes accommodation to suit all needs and tastes; and, a beauty & gift boutique and an online shop.
<http://www.atgbeauty.blogspot.com/>
<http://www.francefr.blogspot.com>