Vire Golf Club

Originally a nine-hole course, this was extended to 18 holes as from summer 2008. Another masterpiece by my unfavourite golf architect - Yves Bureau! I have yet to play the extension so this review is somewhat limited. I plan to visit in the late spring 2009 and will update as of then. Winter golf at Vire is not great as it is usually either cold or wet. In good weather, it's a beautiful spot with superb views over the lake. When I first played the course around 10 years ago there was no clubhouse as such but they have subsequently converted a huge barn which does the job very nicely. The original nine holes provide a pleasing mixture of challenges. There's lots of water and lots of hills. Sometimes the two combine in unfortunate ways as on the old ninth / new 18th where you drive over the water hazard onto an upslope. A good drive in dry conditions leaves a wedge to the green unless the ball jumps back on the steep slope and rolls back a 100 yards or so into the water! They did have a local rule to help with this at one point. My favourite hole is a dogleg par 4 over water - the 5th on the original nine hole layout and now the 10th. Locals tend to baby a 6-iron off the tee to avoid the lake to the left and OB to the right. You then have another iron over the lake and onto the green. A big hitter can just about reach the green with a soft draw though so it's very tempting as is the stream to the right of the hole where you can fill up your water bottle on a hot day!

Best medal round: 77 on 21/09/03

Website: http://golfvire.online.fr