Trevor Ng
Golf is not a popular sport in France. In fact, one source states that football is king in the country. However, France has produced some notable golfers over the years, including Jean van de Velde, who was the first Frenchman to participate in the Ryder Cup in 1999, and Victor Dubuisson, who is known for his impressive course management skills. While the sport experienced rapid growth in the 1990s and early 2000s, the number of golfers in France has declined since then. In 2021, there were 402,991 registered golfers in the country, down from a high of about 425,000 in 2012. Despite this, France has a significant number of golf courses, with 602 registered courses as of 2017, the third-highest in Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of registered golfers in 2021 | 402,991 |
| Number of registered golfers in 2012 | 425,000 |
| Number of golfers in the country | 780,000 |
| Number of registered golf courses in France | 602 |
| France's position in the number of registered golf courses in Europe | 3rd |
| France's position in the number of golfers in Europe | 7th |
| France's position in the number of golf federations in the country | 7th |
| France's most popular sport | Football |
| France's second most popular sport | Tennis |
| Lack of popularity of golf in France due to | Bad teaching, lack of awareness and geriatric sport |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's popularity in France
Golf has been gaining popularity in Europe over the past 20 years, with a notable rise in the number of registered golfers and golf courses. France is no exception to this trend, with around 402,991 registered golfers in the country as of 2021. The French Golf Federation, which ranked 7th in the country in terms of membership, has about 410,000 card-carrying, dues-paying members, down from a high of about 425,000 in 2012.
While football, tennis, and rugby remain the most popular sports in France, golf has experienced significant growth in the country, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. The Le Touquet region in Northern France is a popular spot for a golf getaway, especially among Parisians looking for a weekend escape, earning it the nickname 'Paris by the Sea'. The area boasts renowned golf courses such as La Mer Course at Le Touquet Golf Club, which has hosted The French Open six times.
Despite the growing popularity of golf in France, the sport faces challenges in gaining widespread recognition. During the 2018 Ryder Cup held in France, the absence of French golfers in the tournament highlighted the sport's limited prominence in the country. However, there have been notable French golfers who have made their mark internationally. Jean van de Velde, for instance, became the first French player to participate in the Ryder Cup in 1999 and is known for his indomitable spirit and dedication. Other renowned French golfers include Victor Dubuisson, Thomas Levet, and Michael Lorenzo-Vera, who have inspired and mentored the next generation of golfers in the country.
France also aims to establish itself as a golf destination for foreigners, particularly Americans, by showcasing its golf courses and hosting prestigious tournaments like the Ryder Cup. With its diverse landscape, France offers a range of golfing experiences, from coastal links courses like La Mer to serene forest courses like Le Forêt at Le Touquet Golf Club.
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Famous French golfers
Golf might not be the first sport that comes to mind when thinking of France, but the country has produced several notable golfers over the years. Here is an overview of some of the most famous French golfers:
Arnaud Massy, born in Biarritz in 1877, is the only French golfer to have won a major tournament. Throughout his lengthy career, Massy won numerous tournaments, including the 1907 Open Championship.
Jean Garaïalde is another legendary French golfer, having won 12 French PGA titles between 1960 and 1982. Garaïalde also holds the record for representing France at the World Cup of Golf an impressive 25 times.
Jean van de Velde is a well-known French golfer who gained recognition for finishing second at the 1999 Open Championship. He went on to play in the PGA Tour in 2000 and 2001 and was the first Frenchman to participate in the Ryder Cup. Van de Velde is remembered for his unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit, leaving a lasting impact on the sport in France.
Victor Dubuisson, a native of Cannes, is renowned for his exceptional skills in ball-striking and short-game finesse. He peaked at number 15 in the world rankings and was a top amateur player, ranked first in the world at the end of 2009. Dubuisson has inspired many with his unwavering determination and impressive course management.
Thomas Levet is a veteran golfer with an unwavering commitment to excellence. He is widely respected for his impeccable swing and natural ability to read the course, resulting in numerous victories. Levet is the most successful French golfer in terms of top-level event wins, with six DP/European Tour victories to his name.
Other notable mentions include Alexander Levy, known for his aggressive playing style and fearless demeanor, electrifying the French golf scene; Benjamin Hebert, a relatively new but impressive professional golfer; and Michael Lorenzo-Vera, who has captivated fans with his unique charisma and exceptional talent.
While football and tennis may be more popular sports in France, these French golfers have undoubtedly left their mark on the international golfing scene.
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Best golf courses in France
France has a lot to offer when it comes to golf courses. While it may not be the first country that comes to mind when planning a golf trip, France has some quality golf options that rival those in the rest of Continental Europe. Many of the courses were designed by British architects in the early 20th century, and the ambience at many clubs is similar to what you would find in the UK.
One of the best courses in France is Morfontaine, located in the Paris area. It has been described as "blow-your-socks-off amazing" and is considered one of the finest inland golf courses. Another top course in the Paris region is Fontainebleau, which was designed by the Englishman Tom Simpson, who added nine holes to Golf de Fontainebleau in the 1920s. Simpson also designed the original Morfontaine course, with minor changes made recently by Kyle Phillips.
The Paris area also offers other excellent golf options, including Saint Germain, Chantilly, and the National. Saint Germain, located west of Paris and near Versailles, was designed by Harry Colt and boasts a strong golf history. Chantilly Golf Club has hosted 11 French Opens and is renowned for its commitment to biodiversity, partnering with the French Golf Federation and the National Museum of Natural History to preserve rare and threatened species within its forested course.
Outside of Paris, the south of France is another popular golf destination. Terre Blanche in the south is an excellent resort course, along with Taulane and other great options such as Cannes Mougins, Saint Donat, and Grasse.
In the Bordeaux region, the former Golf du Medoc has been rebranded as Cabot Bordeaux by the Canadian Cabot group. It features two courses designed by American architect Bill Coore and Canadian architect Rod Whitman. Another notable course in the area is St. Emilion, located on the site of an old hunting estate, with intriguing architecture and putting surfaces designed by Doak's team.
While France may not have the same golf culture as other countries, it has produced some notable golfers. Jean van de Velde, who finished second at the 1999 Open Championship and played in the PGA Tour in 2000 and 2001, is often regarded as an ambassador for French golf. Victor Dubuisson is another highly skilled French golfer known for his ball-striking abilities and short game finesse. Alexander Levy has also made waves in French golf with his aggressive playing style and daring shot selections.
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Golf's history in France
Golf is believed to have originated in Scotland, with the first written record of the sport dating back to 1457 when James II banned the game as a distraction from learning archery. The ban was lifted in 1502 when James IV became a golfer himself. The modern game was then brought to France by British expats in the late 1890s to early 1900s, with the first golf course in the country being laid in Pau in 1856.
During the golf boom of the late 1890s to early 1900s, the game was mostly played on coastal courses as it was much harder to grow and maintain grass inland. This resulted in the construction of several golf courses in and around Normandy, which had a larger English-speaking population. Popular locations included La Boulie, Dinard, Coubert, and Lombardzyde on the Belgian coast. However, the outbreak of World War I devastated many of these courses, hindering the growth of the sport in the country.
Despite these setbacks, France has produced several notable golfers over the years. Arnaud Massy, winner of the 1907 Open, was long hailed as France's best player until he was wounded at Verdun. Jean van de Velde, who became the first French participant in the Ryder Cup in 1999, is also renowned for his indomitable spirit and dedication to the sport. Other accomplished French golfers include Jean Garaïalde, who won 12 French PGA titles between 1960 and 1982, and Victor Dubuisson, known for his exceptional skills in ball-striking and short-game finesse.
In recent years, the sport has experienced a resurgence in France, with the French Golf Federation boasting about 410,000 members in 2018, although this number has since declined, with 402,991 registered golfers in 2021. Efforts have been made to promote France as a golf destination for foreigners, particularly Americans, and to increase the sport's popularity within the country.
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Number of registered golfers in France
Golf is not a very popular sport in France. In fact, it is considered a "geriatric sport" in the country. According to a New York Times article from 2018, many Americans are unaware that there are golf courses in France. The article also mentions that football is the most popular sport in France, with the French soccer federation having more than two million members. Tennis is the second most popular sport, with just over one million members.
However, France does have some well-known golfers, such as Jean van de Velde, who was the first French player to participate in the Ryder Cup in 1999, and Victor Dubuisson, who is known for his impressive course management and unflappable demeanor under pressure.
According to Statista, there were 402,991 registered golf players in France in 2021. This number has decreased since 2012, when the French Golf Federation had about 425,000 members. Grizot, from the French organizing committee, stated that there were around 780,000 golfers in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 402,991 registered golf players in France in 2021.
There is no shortage of skilled golfers from France. Some of the famous ones include Jean van de Velde, Jean Garaïalde, Victor Dubuisson, Thomas Levet, Michael Lorenzo-Vera, and Alexander Levy.
As of 2017, France had 602 registered golf courses.
The French Golf Federation is the governing body for golf in France. As of 2018, it had about 410,000 card-carrying, dues-paying members.
France hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018. Jean van de Velde became the first Frenchman to represent the country at the Ryder Cup in 1999.
