Going for Golf

Sables d’Or Les Pins

Heading north, close to the fantastic cliff-top walks by Cap Frehel and Cap d’Erquy, Golf des Sables d’Or is shorter still, at barely more than 6,000 yards for its par 70. It dates back to 1925, and, like Dinard, a short hop along the shore at St Brieuc, was designed and very much influenced by Scottish settlers. Also like Dinard, it’s on sandy soil, so hardly ever closes.

Sables d’Or was a nine-hole course, known as The Pines, for the best part of 70 years, being extended to 18 in 1991, and completely overhauled just under 10 years ago, with new tees and bunkers put in. It starts with a par three – there are three on the front nine, just one coming back – followed by a short par four and a long, though relatively straightforward, par five. And that’s it in a nutshell, really, a quirky, interesting course that’s constantly throwing up something new and different.

The fairways are fairly wide, and the rough not massively punishing, so it’s suitable for players of all abilities; but that’s not to say it’s a piece of cake, or, as we’re in France, better make that gateau.