Take a swing at free golf days

If you have never played golf but fancy having a go, then from May 12-17 you have the perfect chance as many courses open for free trial Tous au Golf days MORE than 350 golf courses across

France will open their manicured fairways from May 12-17 for the Tous au Golf 2010 week, giving free instruction – along with loans of clubs and balls – to people who have never played

before. The scheme is promoted by the French golf federation (Féderation Française de Golf) which has more than 400,000 members. It has been running for 10 years and welcomes beginners for a

fun and relaxing event that is open to everyone from about seven years old and is an ideal opportunity for the family to discover the joys of golf. A teacher – often the club professional –

takes the session on the club’s practice ground and explains the basics: how to stand properly, how to hit clubs like drivers and irons and how to pitch and putt. The lesson lasts around an

hour and all clubs and balls are provided free. To get free lesson you need to call a club and book. If you visit www.ffgolf.org and click the Découvrir le Golf link then the Tous au Golf

button, there is a list of participating clubs and a map. One club that has embraced the scheme for several years is Champ de Bataille, at Le Neubourg, in Eure. Voted the finest course in

Normandy by European Golf Magazine in 2005, the club introduces around 50 people to the sport each year. Sophie Prieux, who owns the club with husband Hervé, says: “Perhaps five of those

beginners continue with the sport, so that’s a success. “But people still think golf is an expensive sport and therefore a posh sport. But that’s not the case. It’s definitely a growing

sport in France and the future looks good, but we need more youngsters to take up the game.” Whether you are a beginner or a competent low-handicapper, you’re sure to find the perfect round

from the 500-plus courses available. From rolling Normandy countryside to the lavender-filled fields of Provence via the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, France has some of the most beautiful

– and challenging – golf courses in the world. French courses dominate lists of Europe’s finest, well above other countries. Two of the most popular courses in northern France are in Nord

Pas de Calais. Hardelot is unusual in that its two courses are located at opposite sides of the town, while fashionable Le Touquet is much like a Scottish links course – rolling sandy

fairways near the sea, with plenty of bunkers. Tough enough at the best of times but brutal when the wind blows. Normandy and Brittany are great golf hot-spots. There’s the little-known but

lovely Saint Saens, near Dieppe, the magnificent Omaha Beach club, overlooking the D-Day landing beaches, and Dinard, which claims to be France’s second oldest course. In Aquitaine, at the

foot of the Pyrenées, lies Pau, built in 1856 and the oldest course in continental Europe, while Royal Park Evian lies between the French Alps and Lake Geneva – 6,500 yds of golfing pleasure

at a top spa resort. For a special day you can combine a trip to Paris with a round at le Golf National and get a taste of what the world’s best face in July’s French Open championship. The

south of France contains arguably the greatest mixture of fine weather, superb golf and scenic surroundings, with courses dotted around famous cities like Cannes, Marseille, Toulon, Nice

and Monaco. Courses tend to be a lot quieter here than in Britain, especially during the week, and prices are very competitive, often from as little as €30 for 18 holes. They can be both

private and publicly-owned and it is common to “pay and play”, where you just turn up, pay a green fee and tee off. Your green fee will include any insurance and you only pay an annual

subscription if you decide to join a club – you will usually need a medical. Many golfers like to sample several courses in one region and “golf pass” schemes are available via the internet.

A good starting point is http://uk.franceguide.com/what-to-do/golf-in-france Many courses open throughout the year although snow or waterlogging close some in winter and it is advisable to

book ahead. A handicap certificate licence is often but not always, required.