Golf competitions in France
Golf in France
Golf competitions in France are very often organised on the basis of different series or divisions grouping together players of the same sex and handicap range. Prizes are then offered for the best in each series and it is fairly standard to have a prize for best gross score(s) per series as well as best net.
There is an entry fee in addition to the green fee. Most competitions are sponsored with a good set of prizes including a free prize draw. The prize ceremony usually takes place at the end of the afternoon and is a family occasion followed by a buffet – often kir and canapés.
There are numerous team competitions in France at local, regional and national level and for all ages and categories. There are often inter-club competitions where anyone can sign up to play in a friendly match against another local club.
For good players – single figure handicaps - there are Grand Prix organised at many clubs and the results of these are used as the basis for a regional and national classification of players. There are events for juniors at regional and national level. There are many events for seniors who make up a large part of the membership of many clubs.
Pro-ams are held in many French golf clubs. For the most part, the pros are club professionals whose main job is teaching the game of golf. Usually, these are one or two day events and the entry fee of a couple of hundred euros can work out as good value if it includes green fees, a practice round with the pro, halfway house snacks, a gala dinner, a gift and a good prize fund. The host club may be able to find a professional for a team or players may enter a team plus professional.
Players entering a competition may require a medical certificate from a doctor stating that the player’s physical condition allows them to play golf safely. This is fairly easy to obtain
Tiger Woods, one of the best golfers in the world, only weighs 180 pounds but he hits the ball 20 yards longer off the tee than the average tour player. If you’re like most golfers, including those who have been playing for quite some time, you’d like to add yards to your tee shots, too.