France has impressive golfing credentials; as evidenced in its whopping 653 golf courses and the massive crowd its clubs pull every year. There is surely something for everyone here. It is a big country, so the weather and landscapes are bound to be a tad different. For example, the Cote d’Opale in the north has its distinct features, as seen in its lovely golf courses. However, the weather can be frustrating. The South Of France has more golfer-friendly weather making it an incredible destination for players. 

Here Are The Best Golf Courses In The South Of France:

Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort  

Many golf experts agree that the Terre Blanche Golf Resort is the best golf course in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. It is located an hour from Cannes has is mostly popular for its excellent facilities and fantastic natural features. And it is not surprising that Terre Blanche is a regular entry in the Golfers Choice Awards.

Dave Thomas designed its two 18-hole golf courses, Le Riou and Le Château. The entire course is also popular for its excellent layout and great maintenance. The courses, along with the wonderful hotels, make up a unique golfing experience when you visit.

Le Chateau de Taulane

Located between Les Gorges du Verdon and La Cote d’Azur, this great golf course in the South Of France is a great place for some nice rounds. At a thousand meter altitude, Gary Player designed it in a brilliant setting. Le Chateau de Taulane has seven lakes, and it can be very challenging for golfers. But it makes up for the whole technicality so low and high handicappers can have a nice time out. A golf cart is recommended because of the hills.

Golf Country Club de Cannes Mougins 

Just some miles from La Croisette and its popular seafront, there are the fairways of this golf course. Great mountains of the Southern Alps surround the Cannes Mougins providing a remarkable view. From the tips, it measures 631 m and is set against the Valmasque Nature Park.

It was opened in 1923 but underwent a serious transformation in 1970; with the help of Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss. This prompted the club to found the Cannes Open in 1980. Α championship that was integrated into the European Tour plan for the next 14 years and again in 2001.

Some of the winners are Greg Norman in 1983, Seve Ballesteros in 1987, and two of Zimbabwean Mark McNulty’s 16 European Tour triumphs in 1988 and 1990. The Cannes Mougins plays long, but its fairways are broad, and greens are mostly large. It has the 4th and 17th hole.

Tom Mackenzie managed its renovation in 2015, refurbishing 26 greenside bunkers and 25 fairway with the use of capillary concrete. He also reconstructed the greens at the 11th-14th holes.

Golf de Saint-Donat

 Part of the many golf projects that Robert Trent Jones II took on is the Saint-Donat. It is lined with trees and spread over in two 9-hole circuits. The water menaces at some holes and great bunkering and massive putting surfaces shield the entire par of 71. Golfers will have to struggle with many blind drives on the holes. The layout of this course is among the best in Cannes with the likes of the Grande Bastide and the Royal Mougins.

The first hole is a good start as it is easy. It is recommended that one should set out as early as possible during summer. This helps you avoid the heat and the crowds at the driving range that can slow one down. The 2nd hole gradually prepares you for what is to come with an uphill, a tad dog leg right, with the risky tee on the left (La Mourachonne) and right (thick bushes). Nevertheless, further down is an opening up fairway.

At the third hole, things get intense. It has been described as the most difficult on the course and, of course, among the most stunning. Well, fortified by La Mourachonne on the right, a long par 3 requires a desperate shot. Hole number 4 is a piece of brilliance, and it requires one to cross the river two times on a slope tee shot and then on their second shot.

For the next three holes, things tend to be quieter. The par 5th is an extended, straight par5 with a satisfying second shot where the player can be compelled to target a narrowing fairway and the green. As for the holes 8 and 9, they are two fascinating doglegs left par 4s. Players will have to lay up on their first shot at hole 8 and then face the green for some distance.

Hole 10 is a gorgeous short par 3 with the old church at its background, while hole 11 is a straightforward par 5 to a protected green with a bunker at the left side and trees to the right. The entire course, especially the greens, are usually in good shape.

Cannes-Mandelieu Golf Course

In 1891, the Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich founded the Cannes-Mandelieu. It is among the oldest golfing layouts in France. Harry Colt will later spruce up the old layout and transform it into one of the finest in the region.

Close to the spot where River Siagne meets the sea, the Old course is laid out on a flat landscape. The fairways also lead into the forest of Mediterranean pine trees that complement the setting. Golfers seldom complete the opening two holes, but when they do, a small pontoon ferry close to the railway bridge takes them to the following ten holes just across the river. They will return the same way to finish the round at holes 13-18.

Measuring 6,319 yards from the back tees, the Cannes-Mandelieu is relatively shorter. However, the doglegged fairways are lined with trees and lead to green, which the Colt bunkers protect. Here, low scoring is not a given even though a low slope rating for Cannes-Mandelieu might state otherwise.

Golf Club de Lyon (Sangliers) 

Located in the center of Lyon, the town of Villette d’Anthon is where you will find the Lyon Golf Club. It was founded in 1921 and is situated in a splendid 500-acre estate with the River Rhone to its left. This club has an impressive two full 18-hole courses- Le Sangliers and Les Brocards. In addition, there is an 8-hole practice course where players can prepare before getting into the fray proper.

The town used to be one of the biggest and finest golf developments in the area and in 1991 the Sangliers Course was built. Designed by the celebrated Hugues Lambert, it is one of the country’s most stunning courses. Technically, it is a testing layout, as many would believe. It spans out to more than 6,700 m with par set at 75. The Sangliers lead its way into the woodland, and the Rhone pops in the mix on 6 holes.

Be advised that this course is not for first-timer golfers, even from the front tees. In fact, it challenged the finest of golfers at the 2001 French Open that Jose Maria Olazabal won. Incredibly charming, the town of Villette d’Anthon is a paradise for golf enthusiasts so much so that they will not realize they are close to a busy place like Lyon.

Evian 

The course here has a long history. In 1904 Willie Park Jr. was commissioned by Societe des Eaux Minerales d’Evian to make a 9-hole layout on a nicely attractive site that looks over Lake Geneva. The number of holes was doubled eighteen years later, with every fairway on the broad course having phenomenal views across the lake’s sparkling waters.

In 1994, just before the inauguration of the Evian Masters, Cabell B Robinson was saddled with the responsibility of renovating the hilly course. Dave Sampson of European Golf Design would later do an overhaul in preparation for playing the host of the Evian Championship in 2013.

Hole 5 was transformed to a par 3 as part of the main revamp while the 13th hole was extended to a par 5. The development did not leave out the four holes as they were redesigned too. Today, you will see dozens of trees planted, and many installed small pot bunkers around Evian to toughen the challenge for the best women golfers.

Golf de Saint Endréol

Michel Gayon designed the Golf de Saint Endréol, and it was opened in 1992. It is sculpted by the many parts of the varied and charming landscape, forging the ideal golfing experience for every golfer irrespective of the expertise level. It also has an 18-hole course that is globally popular with its breathtaking views over the Endre river. Each of the eighteen holes at Endréol possesses its own unique feature, maybe the most impressive one is the 13th hole which has delightful drop onto a waterside green.

Golf de Roquebrune Resort

Perfectly set between Saint-Tropez and Cannes and about 10 minutes from St, Maxime, and Saint-Raphael, this course is sure to impress golfers. They will play between sea and land, unraveling enchanting views over the Massif des Maures or the bay of Saint-Raphael.

Golf de Roquebrune was designed by Udo Barth and revamped by Michel Gayon. It blends different challenges while six water hazards and dozens of bunkers guard the track here. The beautiful resort, at the course’s back, is a great place to relax after a busy day.

Golf de Barbaroux

If you are looking for a very contemporary course, visit the one Pete Dye and PB Dye designed- the Golf de Barbaroux. Its greens are 69 m long, and the bunkers are large with beautiful lakes that make it a truly challenging golf experience. There are oaks and pines around it, and the nearby hotel boasts of the specialties of a modern luxury abode.

Best Golf Courses In The South Of France – Summary

Many of the Best Golf Courses In The South Of France France can be expensive but if you only play just a course on your visit to the region, ensure you book a tee-time at any of the featured places. It is simply top-notch.

Also Read: Best Golf Courses In Northern France, Best Golf Courses In France, Best Golf Courses In Paris