| Few places in the world can live up to the sheer | | | | It's not for novices and even experienced types |
| density of high quality golf courses you see in | | | | may find it quite unforgiving. The secret to a |
| northern France. I've played in over 40 countries | | | | successful round? Be in fine form from the very |
| and there are some fantastic places but I keep | | | | first hole, always plan your next shot and don't be |
| coming back to Cote d'Opale....Just 110 miles from | | | | too greedy! It's scenic, it offers some great |
| London. As well as the renowned courses, there | | | | links-like golf and it's very close to home - golf in |
| are a couple of hidden gems too. Here are five of | | | | northern France doesn't come much better than |
| the best that you must take in on a northern | | | | this. We respectfully call it "the beast". |
| France golf break: | | | | Arras Golf |
| AA Saint Omer Golf Club | | | | Frequent host to the French Ladies golf open, |
| The great thing about Saint Omer is that it offers | | | | Arras is a "game of too halves". The front nine |
| golf for all abilities. The forward tees provide an | | | | are packed with water features and protected |
| enjoyable game while even the European Tour | | | | greens that make pars (let alone birdies!) hard to |
| pros find it tough off the very back. It's a pretty, | | | | come by, whilst the back nine gives you |
| woodland course set over lush, rolling terrain and it | | | | opportunities to make your scorecard look |
| offers great views. There are plenty of | | | | respectable. There's a nice hotel on site and the |
| opportunities for the driver, but be careful as you | | | | historic town is wonderful. Under an hour from |
| approach the greens as they are particularly | | | | Calais, Arras provides nice golf at terrific value. |
| well-guarded. Annual host to the European Tour | | | | Belle Dune Golf Club |
| and now boasting a superior three-star hotel | | | | Try not to get too drawn in by the beauty of |
| overlooking the 18th, AA Saint Omer is definitely | | | | the place because this is a rather tricky course |
| one of the highlights of golf in northern France. | | | | with real teeth if the wind blows. The layout |
| Hardelot Les Pins | | | | follows a walk through one of Europe's largest |
| This French Open qualifying course is one of my | | | | nature reserves so there is plenty of space and |
| favourites...Anywhere. I've played here since the | | | | great scenery. But the design is seriously good |
| age of eight and the course has never looked | | | | too. The small clubhouse belies the fact that this is |
| better than now. Every hole presents a | | | | a "big course" in the best sense. Belle Dune is golf |
| 'death-or-glory' dilemma; whether it's a | | | | in northern France at its most charming. |
| corner-cutting driver or a putt on a three-tiered | | | | Given the courses are so close to England, there's |
| green. Beautiful and brilliant and deservedly a hot | | | | absolutely no excuse for British golf enthusiasts |
| favourite. No golf break in northern France is | | | | not to enjoy them. Whether you take a long |
| complete without visiting Hardelot. | | | | weekend, or spend the whole summer there, a |
| Le Touquet La Mer | | | | golf break in northern France is a must for any |
| Le Touquet La Mer is an outstanding course - a | | | | serious golfer! |
| wonderful golfing experience from start to finish. | | | | |