Will physical distance measures propel footgolf to the fore? In this discipline in any case, no tackles, nor blows of shoulder. Footgolf respects "the same rules as golf, except that everything is played on the foot with a soccer ball", explains Thursday on Europe 1 Ludovic Gaudet, associate director of Footgolf Parc in Champagne, an exclusive footgolf course located in Romery near of Épernay.
"About fifty routes" in France
"The goal is to get the ball in as few strokes as in golf. The holes are bigger, they are 55 centimeters in diameter and 30 centimeters deep," says Ludovic Gaudet.
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Originally from the Netherlands, footgolf is a recent sport. It started there in 2009, before arriving in France around 2013. In France, "around fifty courses" were counted according to Ludovic Gaudet, often on already existing golf courses. "We really didn't invent anything. We talk about 'birdie', 'out of bunker' ... We have to go over the water, we have penalty points. If you know the environment of the golf, footgolf is exactly the same thing, except that you play with your foot and a ball. "
"Very important" to "respect the dress code"
These similarities with golf even concern the behavior of "footgolfers" to believe Ludovic Gaudet. "We really respect the dress code, for us it's very important. To play footgolf, we don't come in tracksuits and soccer jerseys. We come in polo shirts, Bermuda shorts, socks, caps or berets ", he assures. No question either of wearing studded shoes for these athletes. The course must not be damaged. Suitable sneakers or shoes are enough.
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"We meet golfers surprised or really angry"
There are still some peculiarities compared to golf. "Golf is the school of humility, because it is a very difficult sport. Football is much more accessible. You can start playing it from the age of 6," said Ludovic Gaudet.
Consequence: cohabitation can sometimes be a little difficult between footgolfers and golfers. "We come across golfers who are surprised or really angry," says the director. But for Ludovic Gaudet, this discredit does not have place to be: "One damages the courses much less than the golfers. It is really necessary to be really very, very clumsy to make a 'escalope' [when one tears off a piece of lawn] when you hit a ball. "