Rating 3.5/5
Review of Golf de Dunkerque
The northernmost golf club in France, Dunkerque is a municipal course which underwent a dramatic facelift in the late 1990s and early 2000s with its new 9-hole course and now offers a unique challenging layout.
Set in 76 acres of green landscape, the initial 18-hole parkland golf course was built in 1983 by the architect Robert Berthet. Although the condition is good, the layout is not the most entertaining or testing. However, its real asset is the new 9-hole course, also designed by Robert Berthet, but done so with a focus on the workings of the famous French military engineer Vauban.
Strange as this may sound, Vauban was the foremost military engineer of his time in the early 18th century, famous for his skills in designing fortifications. A lot of his work was done in the town of Dunkirk, this evidently being the inspiration here. Golfers can expect sharp geometry, rectangular bunkers, tee-boxes built on stone ramparts and there is even a green in the shape of a heart of spades!
Yet do not make the mistake of thinking the course is theme-park-esque. Quite the contrary. From a visual point of view, the new holes have now taken on a lot of the bushes and trees which were planted only in the last 10 years making it look a lot more mature and pleasing on the eye.
From a golfing perspective, these new 9 holes are tough. Not only are there level changes, blind shots and plenty of water to worry about, a number of the holes are significantly elevated compared to the rest of the course meaning the cross-winds can be severe.
The facilities are nothing to rave about as it must be remembered, this is a municipal course, but a course well worth playing if you are in the area. Not necessarily the most convenient if travelling down to the more popular haunts like Arras or Le Touquet, it is however perfectly located for those heading into Belgium for a golf trip. It is also very good value.
Detail
- Designer: Robert Berthet
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- Length: 6,577 metres (7,192 yards)
- Slope 140
- Golf club website: https://bluegreen.fr/dunkerque/
- Phone number: 03 28 61 07 43
- Public
- Address: Route du Golf, 59380 Coudekerque
