Rating 3.5/5
Review of Golf de l’Amirauté
This championship golf course is called the ‘Arts’ course due to the numerous sculptures located around the site, and is just a mere 5 minutes’ drive from Deauville town centre.
The exceptional location is spread across a large expanse of lowland characterised by plains and marshes, meaning the course plots its way through lakes and streams providing ample opportunity to lose golf balls. In fact, on 12 of the 18 holes, water plays a significant part. Yes, really. 12 out of the 18 holes!
Straight from the off on the opening par 4 first hole, an overzealous approach shot which bypasses the green is very likely to be wet. But it is on the par 5 third hole, where water runs all along the right hand side up to the green, where water really begins to haunt your every shot.
The long par 5 fifth hole is a beast, where anything but straight play will be punished as there is water running up both sides of the fairway for most of the hole. A less daunting hole but still pleasurable is the 11th, slightly downhill with an over-water approach to the small green.
But don’t let this abundance of water put you off. The course is very enjoyable to play and on the whole is in very good condition. There are some gentle level changes with some of the back-9 holes playing slightly more elevated and offering a welcome respite from the water hazards. There is a richness of wildlife on site giving a very rural feel despite its proximity to the hustle and bustle of Deauville.
There are good practise facilities with two 9-hole courses, ‘L’Etangs’ (ponds) and ‘Etoiles’ (stars), the latter which includes a few holes from the Etangs course and allows for night golf being floodlit. With two putting greens and even a sauna, this is a pretty impressive set-up.
The clubhouse is modern, light and comfortable, with very good changing facilities. If staying in Deauville or Trouville, this is a fabulous course to play, very different from most other golf course options in the area.
Detail
- Designer: Bill Baker
- 27 holes
- Par 73
- Length: 6,089 metres (6,659 yards)
- Slope 129
- Golf club website: http://www.amiraute.com/fr/golf.htm
- Phone number: 02 31 14 42 00
- Public
- Address: CD 278, Tourgéville, 14800 Deauville, France
