
Golf at Bagnoles de l’Orne, 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 of 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!!
Averill Gibson
“ 10 ways to
enjoy Normandy”
http://www.manoirstececile.com/

Lake and
Casino at Bagnoles.
About the
Author.
Averill owns 2 successful business - a holiday business in
rural Normandy, offering gite, cottage and chambres d’hôtes accommodation to
suit all needs and tastes; and, a health and beauty boutique (http://www.lasourcenaturelle.com/ in Bagnoles de
l’Orne.