Course review of Saint Saens Golf Club

Saint Saens golf course

Location:- Normandy France

It is one of the biggest crimes in Golf that St Saens Golf Club is not featured in 'The Peugeot Top 1000 course in Europe'. We at Golf Holidays Abroad include this course as one of our favorites. Now the Golf Hotel, located in the beautiful 19th century chateau, is due to open 18 new rooms in summer 2005 this may finally put St Saens and Normandy on the golfing map.

St Saens Golf Club, opened in 1989, starts gently as it follows the river and lake that greet you as you drive through to the Chateau. The 5th hole is an extraordinary Par 4 and one of the best in France. The next six holes wind through a wonderful pine forest and when you reach the 12th you are now on an open plateau that may play havoc with your game if the wind blows. The last two holes bring you home in perfect style to the huge chateau where the welcome is friendly, warm and the Vin Rouge awaits.

St Saens Golf club is an ideal Golf Holiday for both large society's or just a couple wishing to steal a weekend away.

COURSE REVIEW

Hole 1 is a Par 4 and 315 metres (White Tees) and is SI 17
On the first tee at St Saens the question is asked! Is there is a better opening drive than this in Northern France? Well, I've not seen it! The only way to describe it is "stunning!" then knock a 9 iron onto the green, but don't three putt like me 5.

Hole 2 is a Par 4 and 362 metres (White Tees) and is SI 9
Straight par 4, don't be put off by the water to the right of the tee, a good drive will leave a short iron into the green, all the trouble is left. Regulation 4.

Hole 3 is a Par 5 and 445 metres (White Tees) and is SI 15
Fairly simple drive on this long hole all the trouble is to the right for both second and third shots. I duffed a wedge for my third and took 6.

Hole 4 is a Par 3 and 182 metres (White Tees) and is SI 7
This used to be a bland par 3, but they've put a lake in front of the green and now it's a good test. One which I failed 5.

Hole 5 is a Par 4 and 350 metres (White Tees) and is SI 1
How do you make a 330 yard (Yellow tees) par 4 into stroke index 1? Put a stream across the fairway from left to right, add some trees on the banks, take the water up the right of the green and round the back, put a pond front left and call it the fifth at St Saens Golf Club!! Murderous is being understated, expect anything from a 3 to a 10, I've had both before, this time was almost boring 5. Possible the best golf hole in Normandy if not Northern France!

Hole 6 is a Par 3 and 182 metres (White Tees) and is SI 13
That's the end of the water, now for the forest. This par 3 needs to be approached from the right, watch out for the deep bunker front left. Easy 3 for me

Hole 7 is a Par 5 and 502 metres (White Tees) and is SI 3
Tough par 5, drive must be straight, trees both sides, a second shot through the gap to a sloping fairway, third shot to an elevated green, if you miss left reload. I played it perfectly for a 5.

Hole 8 is a Par 4 and 352 metres (White Tees) and is SI 5
Very tricky par 4, best to try to hit a draw at the right edge, second shot can be blind if you don't hit a long enough tee shot, and don't hit it right. 7 enough said!!

Hole 9 is a Par 3 and 188 metres (White Tees) and is SI 11
You know climb towards the plateau! Very narrow flat short hole, mind the bunker in front of the green, 3. Out in 43

Hole 10 is a Par 4 and 290 metres (White Tees) and is SI 16
This is one of my favorite holes at St Saens. Blind drive, trust the marker post. Fairway falls off to the right and downhill, approach looks shorter than it really is, easy par.

Hole 11 is a Par 3 and 169 metres (White Tees) and is SI 18
Uphill short hole, into the wind for us, I got to much draw and went OOB, 6!!

Hole 12 is a Par 5 and 517 metres (White Tees) and is SI 4
Shortish par 5, doglegs to the right but just hit the tee shot straight. The rough up on the plateau is very long and to be avoided, big hitters will reach in two. I lost my first tee shot in the rough, then birdied with my second ball 6.

Hole 13 is a Par 5 and 492 metres (White Tees) and is SI 8
Back to back par 5's, this one is tougher, second will be down to the bottom of the valley then and uphill third to the green which is two tiered. 6 again.

Hole 14 is a Par 4 and 372 metres (White Tees) and is SI 10
Dogleg right across the valley, don't try to be too cute just hit it straight, the ground contours will take the ball round the corner, there's a deep bunker right in front of the green (who put that there???) 6.

Hole 15 is a Par 4 and 377 metres (White Tees) and is SI 2
Normally into the wind, you have to hit a straight tee shot here, then it turns right to a green with bunkers short left and short right. 5.

Hole 16 is a Par 4 and 374 metres (White Tees) and is SI 14
Straight forward par four, shouldn't present too many problems 4.

Hole 17 is a Par 3 and 138 metres (White Tees) and is SI 12
Super short hole, one of the best short golf holes in Normandy! Trees left and long, bunker back right, steep slope short right, just find the green!!! Oh that slopes front to back as well!! I got 3.

Hole 18 is a Par 4 and 377 metres (White Tees) and is SI 6
St Saens has a lovely finishing par 4. Drive up the right of the fairway and the ball will feed down to the middle, hook it and you are in the horses paddock. Then hit a mid-iron through the gap in the trees and there's the green. And what a tricky one it is! Right in front of the clubhouse for all your friends to see. 6 for me.
Out 43, In 46, Gross 89, Net 74. Should've been better on my favorite French parkland course

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