Just enjoyed a wonderful ten days of golf in France, although my golf was far from wonderful! France is much like the UK in that its well behind the times in terms of marketing the game. No one took my e-mail or address, not even when we bought a Normandy golf pass! Nor did they ask for it at any hotel either. But there is much we could learn from the French that would improve our operations state side or heaven forbid in the UK.
- While the food at most clubs in the US is average and plain bad at most UK clubs the lunches we had in France, at every club were nothing short of spectacular! Why does food have to be so average at most clubs?
- The French were unbelievably friendly at every turn; everyone from members to staff alike greeted us with a polite “Bonjour”. You are made to feel VERY welcome by everyone, even when they know you are a tourist and you butcher their language.
- The atmosphere even at higher end clubs is much more low key. There are people in jeans, people in T-shirts, and people on cell phones although they generally move to a quiet corner. It’s a much less stuffy atmosphere. Which may be why I noticed so many younger women, children and families playing than I ever see in the US!
- Every club had a great, grass range and in most places a dedicated chipping area as well. There were definitely more people taking lessons than I ever see in the US or UK. Every single time I hit balls there were lessons going on. More lessons can only help everyone enjoy the game more. Market lessons for all you are worth, it’s a major key in growing the game and indeed keeping people involved in the game. See How to make $150,000 a Year or More Manual and DVD. Talking of which, many thanks to noted French, Golf Instructor, Claude Brousseau, at the Golf Court (short) Academy for his excellent lesson, which resulted in me hitting my driver like a champ instead of a chump! And my one and only good round of the trip!
http://www.golfcourt.fr/
- Play was fast, it never took more than four hours and in many cases it was closer to three, NICE!
- Some Cunningly Clever Marketing. Prior to visiting the US Cemetery, (Very moving) we played Omaha Beach, which is actually no were near Omaha beach, in fact it’s several miles away in a different town. The brochure had a picture of a great looking hole on a cliff, which as it turned out was the only hole on the ocean. The rest was totally parkland. Now don’t get me wrong, this was a fine and beautiful course I would recommend you play if in the area, but there is no doubt either that we would NOT have chosen it originally without the name or the cliff top picture.
The course that Bills it’s self as Grandville, “Mont San Michelle” was a great links that’s a must play, even though it’s 30 miles from the famous Mount!
Au Revoir,
Andrew Wood
