Holiday ideas, activities near Smallwater lake France.

France may not be the obvious choice of destination for a golfing holiday. Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Scotland are probably more natural choices.

However, golf is a boom sport in France and has been for 10 years or so now. Thankfully, it hasn’t picked up the snooty side of the game prevalent in some UK and US clubs – the French treat the game much more informally.

In fact, you probably didn’t know that golf in France started in Aquitaine. What’s more, golf in continental Europe started in Aquitaine! That’s right, Pau Golf Club (founded 1856) was the first course built in Europe outside of the British Isles. And Biarritz Le Phare (founded 1889) was the second! Seven of Aquitaine's 40+ courses date back to pre-war times.

Not only does Aquitaine have a rich heritage of golf, the pedigree is very high, with clusters of great golf courses around the Biarritz and Bordeaux areas in particular. You’ll also enjoy lower prices and less crowds than the South of France golf courses.

So, if you are looking for a memorable golf holiday, or you’re simply looking to sneak a couple of rounds in whilst on a family holiday, then the Aquitaine is an excellent choice and Smallwater lake chalet & lodge accommodation are central to all the golf coarses on this list.

Golf d'Hossegor: 25 km north of Bayonne at 333 Avenue du Golf, Hossegor is this 18 hole course. Built in 1930 and designed by Morisson. Open throughout the year but closed on Tuesdays in the off season.
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Tel: 05 58 43 56 99 Fax: 05 58 43 98 52

Golf de Moliets: 30 km West of Dax on Rue Mathieu Desbieys, Moliets. This is a 27 hole course (an 18 hole called le Hapchot and a 9 hole called Le Cutyot). Built in 1989 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Open throughout the year.
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Tel: 05 58 48 54 65 Fax: 05 58 48 54 88

Golf de Mont de Marsan: 100 km South of Bordeaux at Pessourdat, St Avit. This is an 18 hole course built in 1993 and designed by Jean Garaialde.
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Tel: 05 58 75 63 05 Fax: 05 58 06 80 72

Golf de Pinsole: Close to the beach at Soustons at Port d'Albret Sud, Soustons Plage. 9 Hole course.
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Tel: 05 58 48 03 92 Fax: 05 58 48 31 00

Golf de Seignosse: 35 km North of Biarritz on Av. du Belvedere, Seignosse. This is an 18 Hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge and built in 1989.
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Tel: 05 58 41 68 30 Fax: 05 58 41 68 31

Les Greens d'Eugenie - Golf de Tursan: 28km South of Mont de Marsan on Route d'Eugénie Bahus - Soubiran. This is a 9 hole course built in 1996.
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Tel: 05 58 51 11 63 Fax: 05 58 51 11 63

Golf Club Des Vallees - Oloron: This is a 6 hole course on Rue Gassion, Oloron.
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Tel: 05 59 36 01 64

Golf d'Arcangues: 6 km South East of Biarritz on Chemin de Jaureguiborda, Arcangues. 18 Hole course open throughout the year but closed Mondays from November to March. Built in 1991 and designed by Ronald Fream.
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Tel: 05 59 43 10 56 Fax: 05 59 43 12 60

Golf d'Il Biarritz Centre International d'Entrainement: 2 km South of Biarritz at Avenue du Chateau, Bidart.
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Tel: 05 59 43 81 30 Fax: 05 59 43 81 31

Golf de Biarritz Le Phare: 18 Hole course on the seafront in Biarritz. Open throughout the year but closed on Tuesdays out of season. Built in 1987 and designed by Willie et Tom Dunn in 1888.
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Tel: 05 59 03 71 80 Fax: 05 59 03 26 74

Golf de Chantaco: On Route d'Ascain, St Jean de Luz. This is an 18 hole course.
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Tel: 05 59 26 14 22 Fax: 05 59 26 48 37

Golf de Chiberta: This is a 27 hole course on the coast in Anglet at 104 Bd des Plages, Anglet.
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Tel: 05 59 52 51 10 Fax: 05 59 52 51 11

Golf de la Nivelle: This is an 18 hole course at Place W. Sharp, Ciboure.
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Tel: 05 59 47 18 99 Fax: 05 59 47 21 16

Golf de Pau Artiguelouve: This is an 18 hole course found at Domaine Saint Michel, Artiguelouve.
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Tel: 05 59 83 09 29 Fax: 05 59 83 14 05

Golf de Salies de Bearn: 12 Hole course at Route d'Orthez, Salies.
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Tel: 05 59 38 37 59 Fax: 05 59 38 13 91

Golf Rustique Epherra: An 18 hole course at Urloko Bidea, Souraide.
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Tel: 05 59 93 84 06 Fax: 05 59 93 89 54

Makila Golf Club: 6 km South of Biarritz on Route de Cambo Bassussary. This 18 hole course was built in 1993 and designed by R. Roquemore et M. Dassie.
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Tel: 05 59 58 42 42 Fax: 05 59 58 42 48

Pau Golf Club 1856: 18 Hole golf club at Rue du Golf, Billere (about 1km West of Pau). Open throughout the year but the restaurant is closed on Mondays. Built in 1856 and designed by W.Dunn.
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Tel: 05 59 13 18 56 Fax: 05 59 13 18 57