Golf in Central France

[Scott Warren]

I'm hoping some of our European contingent might have some insight into the merits of these or other courses around the Auvergne/Limosin area north of Clermont Ferrand.

I'll be spending a week in the area in mid-September with some others who are golfers but not into doing suicidal daytrips to see Golf du Medoc, Les Bordes or any of the other leading lights that all seem, frustratingly, to be 4hrs drive or so away.

The three I have earmarked as possibles are

1. Golf des Volcans near Clermont Ferrand
2. Golf de Vichy Sporting Club in Vichy
3. Foret de Montpensier near Vichy

Is there anything else in the area that I have overlooked?

Can anyone give any insight into how good, bad or indifferent those three are?

Merci d'avance si vous pouvez aider!

[Andrew Mitchell]

I thought you were going to France to get married not to play golf 

Does your wife to be know what she is letting herself in for? 

[Adam Lawrence]

The one time I stayed in that part of France (which is very beautiful), I didn't take clubs with me.

But if you're driving down the A71 you will pass within a few miles of Les Bordes, so....!

[Scott Warren]

Andrew:

I thought you were going to France to get married not to play golf

Who said the two were mutually exclusive?! We have a week there and myself, my best man, my old man, my fiancee's old man, her brother and my brother in law all play golf... with a week at leisure it would be silly if we didn't get out and enjoy a round or two together!

Does your wife to be know what she is letting herself in for?

As you well know, she's the one telling me to play all the time! I just do what I am told!

Adam:

But if you're driving down the A71 you will pass within a few miles of Les Bordes, so....!

This is true, but en route from Paris in the cars we will be making a beeline for our accommodation, so that won't work (I tried...). The bloke who runs the place is very friendly and welcoming despite it being private. I spoke to him about playing last summer when I was in the area. He couldn't have been more helpful in organising it up for me, but in the end there wasn't time.

[Stuart Hallett]

Oh dear, looks like you're stranded in Auvergne.
Either watch the rugby, or drive to the Golf de Lyon, probably the only course worth seeing.

Better still, cross your fingers for a general strike, that should start again soon, and change the planning to play around Paris.

P.S. Don't drink the pear fire water in Auvergne, it nearly killed me.

[Adam Lawrence]

Or the Verveine du Velay, which is the most lividly coloured alcohol I've ever seen....