Golf St Malo

Some of the most exciting and interesting golf courses in northern Europe are just a stone's throw away from home for Welsh golfers. Brittany Ferries run golf packages from Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth, taking you to the Normandy and Brittany areas of France and to the northern Spanish coast around Santander.

On board the ferries you will find fine cuisine in elegant surroundings or, if you prefer it, snack-bars where you can have a quick bite and a drink. There are great on-board shopping malls and, on overnight cruises, there is often live entertainment and dancing. Stylish, comfortable cabins will ensure that you arrive at your destination fresh and ready to take on the challenge of the golf course the next morning.

One of the best courses available is Golf De Baden. This course is situated on the southern coast of Brittany. The layout skirts the shore of a pretty sea inlet and overlooks the Iles du Morbihan. Shaded by ancient oak and graceful pine trees this top class golfing destination has wide-open fairways and heathland as well as strategically placed bunkers and water hazards.

Then there is Golf Club de St Malo. Characterised by rolling fairways the course surrounds Mirloup Lake and borders the forest of Mesnil - it is the largest course in Brittany, covering nearly 250 acres. There are some huge bunkers and, without a doubt, this is one of the finest of the new generation courses in France. There is a bar-restaurant with a beautiful terrace, which has views over nearly a third of the course.

If golf in Normandy is your preferred option then there are a large number of packages to choose from. For example you can travel from Portsmouth to Caen on the high-speed ferry, departing at 0700 and arriving before noon in time for golf in the afternoon. Stay four nights and play five rounds of golf at courses like Golf Barriere and the 100-year-old Etretat.

It's exactly the same with Spain. Why not try Golf Santa Marina. Designed by Seve Ballesteros, who lives about 50k away and plays here about once a fortnight, this is an absolute stunner of a course. Sandwiched between the sea and mountains, it is tough but hugely enjoyable. With elevated tees, loads of water and plenty of tricky doglegs to negotiate, you should enjoy the challenge.

Another option is Real Club de Golf Pedreña. This course was designed by Harry Colt and enjoys a spectacular location on a small peninsular jutting into the Bay of Santander. It is also where Seve Ballesteros learnt to hone his remarkable skills and is in fact a wonderful experience and a treat not to be missed! It is by no means a long course but is definitely a difficult, testing one, which is quite hilly with an abundance of trees and rough, every golfer will enjoy the challenge.

Brittany Ferries has an abundance of courses to choose from. Try a break with them this year you won't be disappointed.

1:19pm Monday 3rd March 2008

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