Green on Golf d'Omaha Beach, La Mer, Normandy, France

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Rating 4/5

Golf d’Omaha Beach

Just minutes away from the famous D-Day landing beaches, the Omaha Beach Golf Club lives and breathes the local history of the area. With four loops of 9-holes, the club has a great golf offering and this is reflected by the fact it is one of the most visited golf clubs in Normandy.

La Mer & Le Bocage course

La Mer & Le Bocage (‘Sea’ & ‘Small Forest’) course is the main 18-hole layout here but the initial 9-holes of La Mer are arguably the strongest of all four loops. 

Designed in 1986, the La Mer features an awe-inspiring array of holes, each one very different to its predecessor. The start doesn’t go easy on you, with a long par 5 into the wind, albeit followed by a relatively easy downhill par 3 with beautiful views down to the small coastal town of Port en Bessin.

Golf d'Omaha Beach, La Mer Course, Normandy, France
Green on Golf d'Omaha Beach, La Mer, Normandy, France

The signature hole 6th is an absolute treat; a dog-leg left to right par 4 towards the coast, with a finishing green overlooking the idyllic harbour of Port en Bessin and the English Channel. After finishing your putts, I would definitely recommend taking 2 minutes to take a look inside a World War II bunker, just off to the left of the green.

Le Bocage is slightly less-challenging than La Mer although the style of the course couldn’t be more of a contrast to the preceding 9-holes. Wide straight fairways lined with trees and large shrubs and the occasional blooming flowers – this is definitely more of your typical parkland feel. 

But although it is La Mer which takes the plaudits for this 18-hole course, the two together create a challenging and interesting layout which keeps you entertained and thinking right to the last shot. 

Le Manoir & L’Etang course

Le Manoir was only completed in 2010 but is a superb achievement of golf design, testing the most gifted golfers from the back tees (146 slope index from the blacks). From the forward tees (yellow onwards), it is a fun and enjoyable course which has matured really well and now plays like it’s always been there.

Le Manoir Course, Golf d'Omaha Beach, Normandy, France
Le Manoir Course bunkers, Golf d'Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

There are beautiful views from the 2nd and 3rd holes, large water features on the 8th and 9th holes and some technically challenging holes like the dog-leg 3rd. In my mind, this is the second best 9-hole onsite, after La Mer course, and I’d be intrigued to see whether the ‘main 18’ changes in future years to play Le Manoir after La Mer. 

L’Etang was the old 9-hole course, but it is certainly no pitch and putt and is definitely a credible full 9-hole course to be taken very seriously. There are some standout holes including the difficult 13th with its large expanse of water to circumnavigate as well as a spectacular raised tee box on the 17th offering impressive views over the Norman countryside. This 18-hole is the second course onsite but as good as many other golf courses making this a great golf club to visit. 

Omaha Beach golf really is the perfect place to visit for a day of golf. Not only are there two spectacular 18-hole golf courses, but the clubhouse restaurant is fantastic. It serves hearty French classics including steak frites, Croque Monsieurs, baguette sandwiches and large fresh salads all washed down with a good local lager.

Detail

La Mer & Le Bocage course
  • Rating: 4/5
  • Designer: Yves Bureau
  • 18 holes
  • Par 72
  • Length: 5,974 metres (6,573 yards)
  • Slope ?
Le Manoir & L’Etang course
  • Rating: 3.5/5
  • Designer: Yves Bureau
  • 18 holes
  • Par 71
  • Length: 5,863 metres (6,396 yards)
  • Slope ?
Club details