Golf de Dinard
Founded in 1890 on the cliffs at Saint-Briac, Dinard is one of the oldest golf clubs on the European mainland and France's second oldest 18 holes. A short seaside links of about 5,313 meters and a par of 68, it was set out by Tom Dunn and revised by Willie Park Junior, and it defends itself with wind, gorse and tiny greens rather than length.
Photo: Dinard Golf via Google.
The verdict
Golf de Dinard is a piece of golfing history that still plays as a genuine seaside test, and it belongs on any links lover's itinerary through northwest France. Founded in 1890 and laid out not in Dinard itself but a few miles west on the rocks at Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, it ranks among the oldest clubs on the continent and is widely cited as the second oldest 18 hole course in the country. The setting, above the turquoise water of the Emerald Coast, is as much a reason to come as the golf.
Do not be fooled by the card. At a par 68 over roughly 5,313 meters this is short by modern standards, but the wind off the Channel, the gorse and heather, and the small, firm, well guarded greens make it a real examination of touch and shot making. It is quirky, charming and old fashioned in the best sense, the antidote to the manufactured resort course, and it pairs naturally with Saint-Malo, the walled city across the bay, for a Brittany golf and seafood trip.
Dinard at a glance
- Founded
- 1890
- Designer
- Tom Dunn, revised by Willie Park Jr
- Type
- Seaside links
- Par
- 68
- Yardage
- About 5,313 m
- Green fee
- From about 50 euros
Founding year, design history, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Dinard was founded in 1890 at Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, originally set out by Tom Dunn and revised by Willie Park Junior with changes completed in 1912; it is a par 68 of about 5,313 meters. Indicative 2026 green fees run from roughly 50 euros off season to around 99 euros midweek and up to about 110 euros at weekends in high season. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Dinard is a links of position and imagination, where the right club is rarely the longest one. The fairways roll and tumble over old dunes carpeted in heather, gorse and broom, and the small greens sit firm and exposed, so the running approach and the well judged pitch matter far more than raw power. Stray from the short grass and the gorse extracts its price quickly.
The wind is the constant author of the round. On a calm morning the card looks gettable; when the breeze gets up off the Emerald Coast the same holes ask for low, controlled flight and a feel for the bounce. The seaward holes deliver the views, with the water and the islands of the bay framing tee shots that demand commitment despite the distraction.
This is golf with history in every step, a course that has hosted championship golf including the Dinard Ladies Open and that rewards the player who embraces its old fashioned virtues. Play it for the character, the sea air and the test of touch, not for a number on the scorecard, and it will stay with you long after the round.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors; tee times booked through the golf shop, with members given priority at peak times |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026 from about 50 euros off season to roughly 99 euros midweek and up to about 110 euros at weekends in high season |
| Booking | Book ahead for the Breton summer and for weekends; spring and autumn are quieter and often kinder underfoot |
| On the day | An eminently walkable links; smart golf dress expected |
| Getting there | At Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, a few miles west of Dinard and about a half hour drive from Saint-Malo |
| Best months | May to September for the warmest, driest conditions on the Emerald Coast |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; policies and prices change, so always confirm directly with the golf shop or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Dinard and Saint-Malo sit either side of the Rance estuary and make a wonderful base, the former a Belle Epoque resort of villas and seafront promenades, the latter a walled corsair city with restaurants and oyster bars to match any in France. Either puts the first tee within an easy drive and gives a group plenty to do beyond golf.
For a wider trip, the Emerald Coast and the wider Brittany littoral offer more links and a great deal of coastline to explore, from Cap Frehel to the Mont Saint-Michel bay. It is an ideal region to build a multi course itinerary around, pairing the history of Dinard with the seafood and the sea air of the north Breton coast.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Golf de Dinard.
Build a Brittany golf trip
We book the Dinard tee times, pair them with the best of the Emerald Coast and arrange the lodging in Dinard or Saint-Malo around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf de Dinard questions
When did Golf de Dinard open and who designed it?
Dinard was founded in 1890 and inaugurated that March at Saint-Briac-sur-Mer. The links was originally set out by Tom Dunn, the North Berwick professional, and was revised by Willie Park Junior, whose changes were completed in 1912.
What is the par and length of Golf de Dinard?
Dinard is a short seaside links playing to a par 68 over about 5,313 meters. Its defense is the wind, the gorse and small, firm greens rather than length.
How much is a green fee at Golf de Dinard?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from roughly 50 euros off season to around 99 euros midweek and up to about 110 euros at weekends in high season. Prices change, so always confirm directly before booking.
Is Golf de Dinard one of the oldest courses in France?
Yes. Dating from 1890, Dinard is among the oldest golf clubs on the European continent and is widely cited as the second oldest 18 hole course in France.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Founding year, design history, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.