Owen Cake, a 10-handicap golfer living in France, shares his passion for his home course, Cornouaille Golf Club. As a Dan Hendriksen Golf channel subscriber, Owen offers an insider’s perspective on this stunning parkland course on Brittany’s southern coast.
The Approach
Cornouaille Golf is situated on the Breton riviera overlooking the Bay of Forêt-Fouesnant and the archipelago of Glénan. Your mind goes into overdrive as you approach with anticipation of the course. You first see the estuary, today sparkling in bright sunlight. You know the course runs alongside.
You pull into the parking with a view of the 18th-century manor house, now the clubhouse (recently modernised). The setting alone promises something special—a proper golf course with history, character, and stunning natural beauty.
A Course of Two Halves
The course is a parkland layout with breathtaking views over the southern coast of Finistère, Brittany. The opening holes meander through large pine trees with generous fairways and fairly flat greens. But don’t let this fool you—after three holes, it goes tight, with smaller greens featuring subtle breaks which can make you think.
The greens are probably the best in Brittany. They can be very quick if hot and dry, demanding respect and precise touch around the putting surfaces. This combination of quality conditioning and strategic design ensures every approach shot requires careful consideration.
The Augusta Moment
You would be forgiven for thinking around the turn you were at Augusta. Fairways slope from right to left with blind shots to the green. You only have small trees which have been planted to give the line—a strategic touch that adds both challenge and charm to the layout.
This section of the course demonstrates thoughtful design that rewards local knowledge whilst remaining fair to first-time visitors who study their lines carefully.
Strategic Challenges
Short par-3s with deep bunkers await—9-iron today, 3-wood if the wind gets up from the sea. The variability depending on conditions keeps these holes perpetually interesting, never allowing you to take them for granted.
There’s a fantastic short par-4 dogleg over water, followed by another where, if brave, you can go for the green. But most take 6-iron and pitch on, as the green is guarded by a small lake. These risk-reward opportunities add strategic depth and keep decision-making at the forefront throughout the round.
The Brittany Experience
The coastal location means wind becomes a significant factor, particularly when it gets up from the sea. This adds the authentic links element to what is fundamentally a parkland course, creating a unique hybrid experience that demands versatility and course management.
The views over the southern Finistère coast provide a stunning backdrop throughout the round, reminding you that you’re playing golf in one of France’s most beautiful regions. The combination of pine trees, coastal vistas, and that 18th-century manor house clubhouse creates an atmosphere that transcends the purely sporting.
The Verdict
A great course which can test you but gives great enjoyment—a must if coming to Brittany. Cornouaille Golf Club represents exactly what regional golf should be: challenging enough to test accomplished players, fair enough to remain enjoyable, and beautiful enough to make every round memorable.
The progression from generous opening holes to tighter, more demanding challenges ensures the course never becomes monotonous. The quality of the greens—arguably Brittany’s finest—means your short game receives a proper examination. And those strategic holes around the turn, with their Augusta-like characteristics, provide moments that linger in memory long after the round concludes.
For golfers planning a trip to Brittany, whether for a dedicated golf holiday or combining the sport with family time in this stunning region, Cornouaille deserves serious consideration. The combination of an 18th-century manor house clubhouse, breathtaking coastal views, strategic golf, and those exceptional greens creates something genuinely special.
As Owen says, playing “off the tips” at 10 handicap, this course can test you whilst delivering great enjoyment. That balance is what every golf course should strive for, and Cornouaille achieves it beautifully on the Breton riviera.
Owen Cake, 10 Handicap