Have you ever heard of footgolf? They would be between 8,000 and 10,000 players to practice this discipline in France, still little known. As the name suggests, it’s about playing golf with a soccer ball. In Sarthe, Frédéric Crevon says he has completely become “addicted” to this sport. A former soccer player, he took up footgolf six years ago because of an injury. A blessing in disguise, because he has since been world champion in the France team in 2018 and silver medalist in 2021.
A question of address
At first glance, nothing distinguishes Frédéric Crevon from the other golfers who play on the courses next door. But at the beginning of his journey, it is indeed a soccer ball that he puts on the tee. “On golf courses the surface is very flat, so the ball is not raised”he explains. “I have the right, for my first shot, to take a tee to perhaps hit my ball better, so that it goes a little further.”
– Solene Gardre
After this first blow, it’s all a matter of skill to put the ball in the hole as quickly as possible. “The hardest part of footgolf is that there is no one in control of the ball. When you play football, when you make a pass, the player controls the ball. There, the ball has to stops. I took less momentum to try to get closer to the hole.” He concludes in just three moves. “A very good score”he smiles.
I learned a lot about myself playing footgolf. I was a rather impulsive person when I played football, but this is a sport that does not allow that. If you can’t manage your emotions, manage your stress, manage your mistakes… Because mistakes are bound to be made on an 18-hole course. You have to mentally manage to move on.” – Frédéric Crevon, footgolf player
Frédéric Crevon trains three to four times a week, nearly 3h30 in general for an 18-hole course. Despite his already impressive record, he wants to keep up. He has seen the sport evolve over the past six years. “There is more and more competition now in France. To win a stage, you really have to do a very good course.”
Players younger and younger are getting into it too. “25-year-olds who do just that and who are professionals, for example English people or Argentinians who only make a living from footgolf”notes Frédéric Crevon. “But in France, there is still a long way to go to professionalize footgolf!”