Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Rating 4.5/5

Review of Golf Barrière de Deauville

Top condition, top course, top location. The Golf Barrière de Deauville, also known as the New Golf Barrière de Deauville, is owned by the Groupe Lucien Barrière, famous in France for its many casinos but having also ventured into hotels and golf courses.

The course is set on top of the Mont-Canisy hill, just outside of the elegant town of Deauville and close to the racecourse in a lush green setting. From numerous points on the course, there are spectacular views out across the Channel and down to the neighbouring towns of Deauville and Trouville. 

Designed in 1929 by the ever-present Tom Simpson, the course (made up by the Red and White 9-holes) is a wonderfully manicured parkland layout with not a drop of water on the course (unless you really choose the wrong club and bring into play the hotel’s outdoor pool!). Weaving through large ancient trees and with an abundance of craftily positioned bunkers, the course is very technical. 

The front nine is arguably the easier nine with its large fairways and easier game management required, with only the first couple of holes having any elevation changes of note. It is on the back nine where it becomes more technical. The fairways get narrower and the greens seem to become more protected.

The 11th hole is a beast. From the back tees you tee off over the road (don’t worry, not a busy one), to a narrow fairway a mere 200 yards ahead which slopes from right to left into out of bounds. Both the 12th and 13th holes are difficult Par 4s and the 16th is a long Par 5 into the wind. 

The condition is superb and there is even another 9-hole course onsite, the Blue course, which is a very good alternative you can chop and change with if playing the course multiple times. The clubhouse is very comfortable with a top-class restaurant, although the service can sometimes be a little snooty. But don’t let this deflect from the fact this is a wonderful course with a superb product offering onsite in the Hôtel du Golf Barrière, where you can get some fantastic value for money deals.

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