With a casino that inspired a Bond movie and a race track built for thoroughbred horses, it comes as no surprise that Deauville is also a winner when it comes to the Royal and Ancient game.

With four top-quality courses to choose from, there is no gamble in picking this coastal resort as a base to explore the glorious golfing region of Normandy.

From the middle of the 19th century, Deauville has become a fashionable destination for Parisians and the aristocracy.

Situated just 124 miles from the French capital and, more importantly for the discerning British traveller, a mere 28 miles from the Brittany Ferries port of Caen, it is perfectly placed on the tourist map.

And ever since the first stone was laid in 1862 the ‘town of pleasure’ has continued to attract visitors from far and wide.

Among the international travellers was James Bond author Ian Fleming, and it is widely acknowledged that the inspiration for the film Casino Royale came from the town’s grand gambling emporium.

On our visit we played the majestic Golf Barrière de Deauville which overlooks the resort and sea from its hilltop location. The course was co-designed by Sir Henry Cotton and comprises three loops of nine holes that meander around the imposing Hotel du Golf Barrière which was our base for the first night.

Proprietors Lucien Barrière also own another 27-hole course nearby, the Golf Barrière de Saint-Julian.

Golf Amiraute, meanwhile, is just a short drive from the town centre and is renowned for its numerous giant contemporary sculptures and nine floodlit greens.

Completing the quartet of fine courses is Golf de Deauville-Saint-Gatien. All four courses are within 10 kilometres of each other.

Our first port of call, however, was the Golf Blue Green d’Houlgate, a mere 40 minutes east of Caen. This gem is a true test of accuracy with tight fairways and small greens. There is, however, some respite midway through your round with a stretch of more open holes on higher ground which overlook this picturesque location.

After two rounds in one day, our stay at the salubrious five-star Hotel du Golf Barrière was a welcome break.

The imposing 178-room establishment boasts a fine restaurant, Le Lassay, and terrace with views over Deauville and its adjoining twin town of Trouville. It is the epitomy of luxury, although I found the cost of five euros for a bottle of water a little on the excessive side.

Day two of our whistlestop tour of Normandy golf courses took us to two further courses on opposite sides of the Cherbourg peninsula.

The ever-popular 36-hole venue at Omaha Beach to the east offers a variety of combinations. The Seaside Course skirts the cliff top with unrivalled views over the D-Day landing beaches, while the Manor Course takes you inland among the orchards with many holes bordered by water hazards.

Our final destination at Granville, to the west, is billed as ‘the only true links course in France’.

Golf de Granville, originally built in 1912, is a wonderful test of golf with unforgiving rough that gobbles up any shots that stray from the undulating fairways.

The base for our overnight stay in the fishing port of Granville was the impressive Hotel Mercure Grand Large overlooking the sea.

The rooms are spacious with a modern feel – plus a free bottle of water.

Its location in the heart of town is ideal for the many restaurants that line the harbour. Among the superb range that specialise in local fish dishes is the Restaurant du Port.

Our return trip on Brittany Ferries’ Normandie Express allowed us plenty of time for 18 holes at Granville and a relaxed lunch in the clubhouse.

The Cherbourg to Portsmouth crossing takes just three hours.

Getaway

Choose from a huge range of courses in Western France at brittanyferries.co.uk/golf or call the Brittany Ferries Golf Desk, manned by experts on 0871 244 0808 for advice and bookings.

For more information on Lucien Barriere’s hotels and courses visit lucienbarriere.com