Travel Designers Champagne Golf? What on earth do we mean by that, I hear you say? Well, for a start it doesn’t mean drinking Champagne whilst trying to playing golf! Equally, It’s not some challenge to see how much you can drink whilst swinging a golf club, or at least not when we did it! It is, of course, a part of France called the Champagne Region, which just happens to have a few golf courses to be played.
If you are a lover of golf and Champagne then a few days in the Champagne region is a perfect getaway. Close enough to the UK to consider for a long weekend with a few rounds of golf and a couple of visits to one of the many vineyards in the area. If you have never considered the Champagne region of France for golf you may wish to read on of our 3 golf courses we sampled whilst Champagne tasting.
Golf du Champagne
Today’s golf in the Champagne region was interesting as on arrival we thought we had found the wrong course. Not the best looking clubhouse on arrival but we persisted and in the end, we were glad that we did. ? I’d have to say we have played much better, grander and more well-known golf courses. However, it’s hard to knock this one for a few reasons.
The greens are undulating and fast like glass Some with a mind of their own but most running true. The par 3 on the back 9 was hilarious as stopping the ball on such a sloping green on the first touch, was impossible! It is for sure a tranquil location in a valley in the Champagne region. The holes offer interesting and challenging golf. Think streams, trees, steep hills, to name a few.
Whilst the clubhouse is not the best cosmetically, it certainly serves fantastic food. Better than a lot of clubs we’ve visited. A large choice of excellent salads for a change!
Oh, and you get a glass of Champagne included in the price of the round. It’s their house wine. ?? On a nice day this was a pleasant round of golf and very close to several well-known vineyards.
Golf review Troyes
It is claimed to be one of the prettiest courses in France, which is what attracted us to play here. The setting is in a lovely position with an impressive clubhouse. On arrival, we thought we had arrived at the wrong place as the building is quite stunning with its beautiful imposing facade. This course has some quirky holes, the closing holes, in particular, on the 16th with a tight dogleg and water fronted green and the 17th is an island par 3. We played on a hot sunny day with no wind, however, with the wind I am sure they would play very differently.
It’s an easy walk although there are many buggies available to rent. Some of the members are lacking in golf etiquette jumping from hole to hole to get around quicker! However, that can happen at any golf course.
They offer a lunchtime menu of the day which is reasonably priced with a good choice and was very popular. All in all, a pleasant parkland course and a good choice if in the area for touring the Champagne region.
Golf Arras
This course is situated just outside Arras and a good alternative to the coastal courses if high winds. We chose to play this on our way back to Calais from the Champagne region as the forecast at Le Touquet was for high gusting winds.
It is a game of two halves with the front 9 predominantly water featured within it. The back 9 is more parkland with some holes requiring course management.
The greens are good and pretty true. Bunkers are a bit ropey and parts of the course feel scruffy however that seems to be the French way of golf. We are 19 and 17 handicaps and both scored 38 points so not a difficult course for playing the first time.
At 55euros for a round of golf, it’s probably not worth that. A buggy is advisable but again at 40euros is a total rip off. Especially when they are dirty and in need of a good clean. Why do golf clubs not clean their buggies?
The clubhouse is pretty good with a nice outdoor area and trendy inside, decorated in modern colours and large TV screens showing the latest golf. We didn’t eat there but the food looked good and was very busy with golfers and locals.
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