Posted on 04 November 2018
As ski resorts across the world clamber to become dual season, golfing is just one of many summer activities they are investing in. While the reputation lags the likes of Spain, Portugal or Turkey that often host professionals, golf courses in the French Alps attract sport loving property buyers who enjoy both skiing and scoring a hole in one, and for buy-to-let investors, the courses add to numerous summer activities which keep holidaymakers visiting all year round.
Alongside zip lining, mountain biking trails, and para-gliding sessions, golfing at high altitudes with rugged mountain scenery is catching on as a must do alpine sport.
So, where should players head to for summer golfing sessions?
6 Golf Courses in the French Alps
1: Flaine Les Carroz Golf Course
Open from July to September, this 18 hole, 3,693-metre-long, par 63 course ranks as a premier French Alp golf destination. Giving players many ideal opportunities to practise their swing at high altitudes, they will discover a variety of challenges to test their skills. Flaine offers everything including a driving range, putting green, practise areas and the much-needed clubhouse.
Sitting at 1900 metres altitude in the Grand Massif area, players also enjoy stunning views across the Arve Valley, Aravis Massif and Mont Blanc. Surrounding resorts include Flaine and Les Carroz, but what makes the Grand Massif a perfect ski and golf destinations is that it’s just 1 hour from Geneva airport, making it easy to get to all year round.
2: Lac De Tignes
Open since 1993, and sitting at 2100 meters above sea level, the 18-hole Lac De Tignes is the highest golf course in Europe and unique because of a 5-kilometre mountain fairway and variety of obstacles including gullies, lakes and streams. Players also have an added bonus because it offers stunning glacier views.
An abundance of extra facilities including a 15 mat driving range, a shorter and easier mid golf course, simulator, and mini golf for the kids makes this club an all-rounder accommodating all levels of players. Open from late June to September, other facilities include a restaurant, chipping area, putting green, club, trolley and buggy rental, shop, and locker room.
3: Chamonix Golfing
Robert Trent Jones Senior, a renowned golf architect, designed 500 courses around the world and the 1000 metre altitude Chamonix is proud to be one. The 18-hole, par 72, 6188-metre course nestles on a flat plateau between the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges ranges.
The clubhouse, open since 1934 offers front seat views to the bunkered 18th hole, while 20 driving ranges without a minimum handicap include six that are undercover, and a chipping and putting green. Professionals golfers Clothilde Weyrich, Olivier Perillat, Jean Claude Bonnaz and Olivier Raynal, offers lessons for adult beginners to advance, while the Chamonix Club School aims to turn juniors into future professionals.
4: Golf Du Mont d’Arbois in Megeve
Sitting at 1320 metres, and overlooking Megeve Village, the Domaine Du Mont d’Arbois, 50-hectare, 18-hole course opened in 1964 making it a leading alpine golfing destination. Designed by the English professional golfer Henry Cotton, transformation over many times decades has modernised and updated the resort and facilities.
Mont d’Arbois is proud to call themselves environmentally friendly thanks to their use of non-polluting products and the high standard of professionalism has also led them to host amateur and professional competitions. Balls, buggies, clubs and bags are all available for hire, and a choice of five nearby restaurants are the perfect place to toast a good game.
5: Les Arcs Golfing
First opening in 1974, in 1990, Robert Berthet headed a redesign of the 1800 metre altitude and 60 hectare Les Arcs course to maximise its full potential. Facing Mont Blanc, Les Arcs offers 2 courses. The first, an 18-hole, par 70 course of 5487 metres suits more advanced players while beginners will feel at home on the 9-hole, par 27, 1045 Beauchet course. Opening from mid-June to mid-September, the French Golf Federation has approved the first more advanced course called Le Chantel.
A covered driving range measures 50 to 250 metres and offers 12 covered stands and 34 open air for a warm up before teeing off. The practise area also includes 3 chipping and putting greens. Gabriel Glikson oversees the Leadbetter academy for beginners looking to improve their skills while a brand-new clubhouse selling gourmet French cuisine has to date won rave reviews by golfers from all around the world.
6: Les Gets Golfing
Open from June to October, the 18 hole Les Gets course 18 unique and spectacular views. Each hole ranges between 3 to 5 par, with a maximum handicap of 18. A 13-bay driving range includes 8 outdoor mats and 5 covered stalls, while there is also free access to a 230 square meter putting area. Two practise zones will improve your bunker skills, and to judge your performance from a different viewpoint, film and download your swings to your mobile phone on the video range.
Professional golfer Roman Prevost sells beginner lessons, ranging from 1 hour to five days, and the clubhouse is the place to quench your thirst and appetite with wide range of food and drink. Les Gets is also part of the European Golfy network and offer free e-cards to all visitors so you can visit even more golf courses in the French Alps to tap into many discounts and deals.
Further Reading
Our portfolio of French Alp properties will interest buyers who want dual season resorts where they can tap into the skiing delights of winter and golfing highlights of Summer.