Where History meets Golf : Omaha Beach Golf course
On the clifftops of the Normandy coast, the scent of salt from the English Channel mingles with the aroma of meticulously manicured fairways. Here, the sharp crack of a driver gives way to a profound silence, punctuated only by the cry of gulls and the whisper of history on the wind. This is the Omaha Beach Golf Course, a destination that offers not just a world-class sporting challenge but a poignant pilgrimage through one of the most significant landscapes of the 20th century. It is a place where the pursuit of par is forever intertwined with the pursuit of peace and remembrance.
Before proceeding, it is essential to address a point of potential confusion for the global traveler. A search for "Omaha Beach Golf Club" will reveal two distinguished clubs. One is a highly-regarded 18-hole, par-70 links-style course located in the stunning seaside setting of Omaha Beach, New Zealand, less than an hour's drive from Auckland. While a worthy destination in its own right, this guide is dedicated exclusively to the internationally renowned 36-hole golf complex located in
Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Normandy, France. This is the course whose identity is inextricably linked to the D-Day landings of World War II, situated just miles from the hallowed sands that share its name.
A round of golf at Omaha Beach in Normandy is a unique journey. It presents a rare and deeply moving opportunity to engage with history on a tangible level, walking the very ground that was fought for and liberated. The club's two distinct 18-hole courses, La Mer and Le Manoir, serve as two compelling chapters in the same epic story, offering golfers a memorable experience that resonates long after the final putt has dropped.
La Mer – The Dramatic Cliff-Top Championship
Overview and Character La Mer is the resort's championship layout, a par-72 course celebrated for its dramatic setting and profound historical resonance. It is a course of two distinct personalities. The front nine plays as a breathtaking cliff-top links, with sweeping, open views of the English Channel and the fishing port below. The back nine transitions into a more sheltered, classic parkland routing, offering a different but equally engaging test. The dominant visual theme is the striking contrast between the "blue of the sea and the green of the countryside".
A Strategic Tour of La Mer A round on La Mer is a narrative journey. It begins with the par-5 Hole 1, named for "General D.D. Eisenhower," which leads you from the clubhouse toward the sea. This is followed by the beautiful and well-bunkered par-3 2nd ("Winston Churchill"), offering lovely views over the water. The course quickly reveals its strategic demands on the 3rd ("Charles de Gaulle"), which requires a tight and partially blind tee shot, and the 4th ("General Koenig"), a picturesque but perilous short hole played over a pond to a narrow green. Some visitors have noted these early "blind holes" require careful course management and are best attacked once a player is in the rhythm of their round.
The Signature Moment (Hole 6: "General Omar Bradley") The 6th hole is universally cited as the course's signature moment and one of the most memorable holes in Normandy. This challenging par-4 features a spectacular "infinity green" perched on the very edge of the cliff. From this vantage point, the panoramic view is breathtaking, encompassing the charming fishing village of Port-en-Bessin, the vast English Channel, and the historic remains of the Mulberry artificial harbor at Arromanches and the German artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. Standing beside the green is a preserved German war bunker, a stark and poignant reminder of the Atlantic Wall and the events that unfolded here.
The Golfer's Verdict La Mer is a formidable and inspiring test of golf. Its two distinct nines demand a complete game, rewarding both power off the tee and precision on approach shots. Having hosted professional events like the Open de France Senior, its championship pedigree is well-established. It is an essential experience for any golfer who relishes spectacular scenery, embraces strategic complexity, and is moved by the opportunity to play on truly historic ground.
Le Manoir – The Undulating Parkland Challenge
Overview and Character Le Manoir is a quintessential Normandy parkland course, a par-71 layout that winds through a bucolic landscape of rolling hills, mature hedgerows (known as bocage), and blossoming fruit trees. The course is defined by its "significant elevation changes" and hilly terrain, presenting a considerable physical test alongside its technical challenges. Numerous ponds and water hazards come into play, demanding strategic thinking on nearly every hole. While La Mer looks out to sea, Le Manoir offers serene inland views, including glimpses of the medieval city of Bayeux and its magnificent cathedral in the distance.
A Strategic Tour of Le Manoir Le Manoir is a course where, as one observer noted, "all shots must be well thought out".It is a "real golfing challenge" characterized by "fearsome greens and dangerous roughs" that can penalize the errant shot.While less documented hole-by-hole than its coastal sibling, memorable moments include the elevated views from holes 2 and 3, the technical precision required on holes 4 and 5, and the tricky putting surfaces on holes 6 and 9. A large lake features prominently on the approach to the front nine's closing holes, the 8th and 9th. The back nine is a strenuous journey of alternating uphill and downhill holes, culminating in a tough, climbing par-5 18th that makes a strong case for hiring a buggy.
The Golfer's Verdict Le Manoir is a deceptively versatile and challenging course. While some describe it as having a "more generous layout" better suited to higher handicappers , this assessment belies its true nature. From the back tees, its Slope Rating is a formidable 146, making it one of the most demanding tests of golf in the region for elite players. This adaptability is its greatest strength. It can be enjoyed by a wide range of skill levels depending on the tees chosen, and it is often cited by visiting groups as a surprise favorite, offering a superb complement to the drama of La Mer.
What elevates the Omaha Beach Golf Club from a premier sporting venue to a site of international significance is its role as a living monument. The club has masterfully transformed a round of golf into a curated historical narrative. The design, the naming of the holes, and the physical landmarks create an emotional and intellectual journey that runs parallel to the sporting one, making the history of the place accessible and impactful in a way a museum exhibit cannot. Visitors often describe the experience as "breathtaking" and "unusually interesting" due to this deep connection to the past.
Honoring the Heroes
The club's most unique tribute is the thematic naming of its 36 holes, which tells a two-part story of the Normandy invasion.
La Mer: The holes on the championship course are named in honor of the prominent Allied leaders and generals who architected the invasion. Playing this course is like walking alongside giants of history, with tees dedicated to figures such as Eisenhower, Churchill, De Gaulle, Montgomery, and Omar Bradley.
Le Manoir: The inland course pays tribute to the soldiers on the ground. Its holes are named in recognition of the "action heroes who were actually in the thick of the fighting," specifically honoring the men of the 16th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division (the "Big Red One") who liberated the Saint Sauveur farm on which the course is built. Tangible Links to the Past
Tangible Links to the Past
The historical connection is reinforced by several powerful, tangible symbols present at the club.
In a deeply symbolic ceremony in 1994, the first hole of the course was officially inaugurated by John S. D. Eisenhower, son of the Supreme Allied Commander, forever linking the club with the legacy of the Allied leadership.
Displayed prominently in the clubhouse lobby is an American flag, accompanied by a certificate. It was a gift donated in the late 1990s by a Kiwanis club from Suisun City, California, a gesture of friendship and remembrance that connects the club directly to the American people.
The most visceral link to the past is the preserved German concrete bunker that stands guard beside the 6th green on La Mer. This remnant of the Atlantic Wall is a stark and powerful reminder of the conflict and the immense challenge the Allied forces overcame. 1
Omaha Beach Golf course Gallery
The Complete Destination: Facilities, Accommodation, and Visitor Experience
Omaha Beach is more than just its two courses; it is a complete golf resort destination designed to provide a seamless and comfortable experience for visitors from around the world.
The Hub of the Club
At the heart of the property lies a welcoming Club House that serves as the central hub for golfers. It features a well-stocked Pro Shop offering a selection of equipment, apparel, and accessories for sale or hire. The complex includes high-quality practice areas, including a driving range, to allow golfers to warm up before their round. An on-site restaurant and bar provide a perfect setting to relax and recount the day's play.
Stay and Play: The Hotel Mercure Omaha Beach
Integral to the resort experience is the on-site 4-star Hotel Mercure Omaha Beach, which offers exceptional convenience and comfort. The hotel features 74 modern, air-conditioned rooms, with various configurations to suit couples, families, or groups, many offering direct views of the golf course, pool, or the sea. Guests can enjoy the hotel's restaurant with its panoramic terrace, a cozy lounge bar, and a comprehensive wellness area featuring a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, and spa treatments. The availability of integrated "Stay and Play" packages makes the hotel the ideal base for an immersive golf holiday, allowing visitors to be completely enveloped in the atmosphere of the destination