The purpose of these Internal Rules and Regulations is to define the general conditions governing the use of the facilities made available to users of Golf National and, more generally, to any person present on the Golf National site.
The general spirit underlying these regulations is the ethics of golf (respect for the course and biodiversity, respect among users, and respect for Golf National staff), so that everyone can enjoy all the facilities in a friendly and sporting atmosphere.
Anyone wishing to benefit from the services provided by Golf National undertakes to comply with its Internal Rules and Regulations, which are based on the rules issued by the French Golf Federation (ffgolf) and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
Everyone is required to strictly observe the rules of golf etiquette and to behave appropriately at all times. Any breach of these basic rules may result in temporary or permanent exclusion from Golf National.
PART I: CONDITIONS OF USE OF THE FACILITIES
1 – GOLF FACILITIES
1.1 Golf Courses
To access the courses at preferential rates, every player must hold a valid ffgolf licence and, when participating in a competition, a valid medical certificate or health questionnaire.
1.1.1 Opening Hours
The facilities are open all year round, except on December 25 and January 1 of each year.
Green fees are issued during the opening hours of the golf reception desk:
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (High Season): April 1 to October 31
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Low Season): November 1 to March 31 of the following year
They may be used after the reception desk has closed.
Players are therefore informed and acknowledge that, by using their playing rights after the reception desk has closed, they will not be able to contact any Golf National staff.
Access to the courses after the reception desk has closed remains prohibited for unaccompanied minors.
In an emergency:
Call the emergency services on 112 or 18 (Fire Brigade)
A first-aid kit is available at: Central Reception / Workshop
Automated external defibrillators are available at: Central Reception / Workshop
1.1.2 Minimum Playing Level Required to Access the Courses
To play the Albatros, players must have a handicap of 28 or lower.
To play the Aigle, players must have a handicap of 54 or lower.
1.1.3 Memberships
Several categories of membership are available for one or more courses. Specific membership terms and conditions are available from the Golf National reception desk.
Membership provides access to the Golf National courses and golf facilities for the duration of its validity and under the conditions applicable to the relevant membership category, subject to course availability.
Membership fees must be paid when the membership is taken out, by cheque, bank card or direct debit.
Membership validity runs from the date of commencement and depends on the duration of the membership purchased or the period for which the membership is subscribed.
1.1.4 Green Fees
Green fees:
Constitute a personal, non-transferable right to use one of the Golf National courses to play 18 holes in the conventional order of play;
Must be paid online or during the golf reception desk's opening hours and before accessing the courses;
May also be purchased online, but registration at the Golf National reception desk remains mandatory.
Access to the courses is possible from the opening of the golf reception desk until the evening, provided that the green fee has been issued during reception opening hours.
Anyone found on the course without having paid a green fee will immediately be escorted back to the golf reception desk to pay it, unless payment has already been made to the Marshal. The amount payable corresponds to the applicable non-member green fee, depending on the season.
In the event of refusal to pay the green fee, the user will be excluded from the Golf National facilities until the outstanding amount has been paid in full.
In exceptional circumstances resulting in the closure of a course, players who have paid a green fee at the Golf National reception desk will receive a credit valid for three months, calculated pro rata according to the number of holes played.
If the greens or fairways have been recently hollow-tined and less than one week has elapsed since the work, Golf National may offer a reduction on the green fee.
1.1.5 Tee-Time Reservations
Every player is required to book a tee time, either in person at the reception desk, by telephone or through the online booking platform.
Before accessing the courses, the player must report to the reception desk for registration.
Anyone who has booked a tee time but is unable to play must notify the golf reception desk at least one hour before their tee time in order to cancel. Otherwise, the player will be recorded as a “No-Show” (failure to honour a tee-time reservation). After 3 No-Shows, the player will no longer be able to make advance reservations for a period of 6 months.
Players must respect their allocated tee times.
If a player has not checked in at the reception desk 5 minutes before their tee time, the reception desk may reallocate the tee time to another player.
1.1.6 Conventional Order of Play
The conventional round consists of playing the holes of the course in their exact numerical order, starting from the appropriate teeing area.
Play starts from Tee No. 1. Starting from Tee No. 10 is prohibited unless authorised by the reception desk or the official starter. In such cases, groups that have completed the first 9 holes will have priority.
Groups are limited to 4 players, with one golf bag per player. In the event of high demand, Golf National staff reserve the right to complete groups up to 4 players.
1.2 Driving Range
Access to the driving range is free of charge; only the cost of the balls used must be paid.
The balls, baskets, mats and practice tees remain the property of Golf National and must remain within the practice area.
Depending on the season and the driving range, practice stations are provided either at fixed positions with mats or within areas delimited by ropes.
All practice outside the designated areas (mats or roped areas) is prohibited.
Golf instructors have priority access to the fixed practice stations.
Driving-range balls are prohibited on the course.
Anyone found in possession of driving-range balls outside the practice area will be immediately excluded from the course.
It is prohibited to:
Collect driving-range balls from the practice area;
Keep driving-range balls, which remain the property of Golf National.
1.3 Putting Green
The putting green is freely accessible and free of charge.
Approach shots are prohibited on areas reserved for putting, as is the use of driving-range balls, except during a lesson given by a Golf National instructor.
1.4 Practice Putting Green and Pitching Green (“Foulque”)
Access is free of charge.
Driving-range balls are prohibited, except during a lesson with a Golf National instructor.
1.5 Performance Centre
Golf National has facilities and equipment forming part of its Performance Centre.
The conditions governing access to and use of the Performance Centre facilities are set out in Appendix 1 to these regulations, which forms an integral part of these Internal Rules and Regulations.
2 – GENERAL FACILITIES
2.1 Clubhouse
Access to the reception desk, the Golf National Pro Shop and the bars/restaurants is permitted while wearing golf shoes.
However, users are asked to brush their shoes before entering, out of respect for the cleaning and maintenance staff.
2.2 Changing Rooms
Users are advised not to leave valuables in the changing rooms, including in lockers.
Lockers must be secured with a personal and confidential code.
The club's liability is limited to theft involving forced entry. The value of reimbursable items is limited to €30,000, with a deductible of €2,100 payable by the owner of the equipment.
When competitions are being hosted (French Open, Olympic Games) and the changing rooms are not available to users, Golf National reserves the right to open lockers that have been locked in order to make them available to tournament players.
Users will be informed in advance of periods during which the changing rooms will be unavailable.
2.3 Car Parks
The Golf National car parks are freely accessible and free of charge.
Vehicles must be parked only in spaces indicated by ground markings.
Users are informed and acknowledge that the car parks are not subject to human or technological surveillance. It is therefore recommended that valuables not be left in vehicles.
Users are reminded that Golf National accepts no liability for damage resulting from vehicle accidents.
PART II: GOLF ETIQUETTE AND RULES
Users undertake to comply with the Rules of Golf and golf etiquette at all times.
Behaviour
Appropriate attire and proper behaviour are required.
2 – Safety
When making a stroke or practice swing, players should ensure that no one is standing nearby or is at risk of being struck by the club or ball.
Players should not play until the players ahead are out of range.
Players should always warn greenkeeping staff who are nearby or ahead of them when they are about to play a shot that could put them at risk.
Priority when playing a shot towards the green: if a greenkeeper has begun mowing a green and has removed the flagstick from the hole, the greenkeeper has priority and must be allowed to finish mowing before the player plays their shot.
If a player hits a ball in a direction where it may strike someone, they should immediately shout “Fore!” to warn of the danger.
Players who hear someone shout “Fore!” are strongly advised to protect themselves by crouching down and covering their heads with their hands.
Respect for Other Players
Players must respect others and, in particular:
Play in groups of no more than 4;
Wait until the players ahead are out of range;
Observe the normal playing time, which is 4 hours 20 minutes for groups of 2 or 3 players and 4 hours 40 minutes for groups of 4 players.
If a group is playing slowly and is a full hole behind the group in front, it must allow the following group to play through. This is not merely a matter of courtesy but a duty.
Golf National reserves the right, after 3 warnings, to require a group that is delaying play to skip one or more holes.
Advice for Avoiding Slow Play
In accordance with the recommendations of The Royal and Ancient, including the principle of “ready golf”:
Do not fall behind the group ahead of you;
Leave the green immediately after completing the hole;
Be ready to play when it is your turn;
Avoid multiple practice swings;
When looking for a ball, immediately allow the following group to play through rather than waiting for the full 3 minutes allowed for searching.
Respect for the Course
Players must respect the course and, in particular:
Replace divots;
Repair pitch marks on the greens; players should carry a pitch-mark repair tool in their pocket;
Take practice swings outside the teeing area;
Rake club and foot marks in bunkers;
Do not drive trolleys or golf carts onto greens, teeing areas or into bunkers;
Do not remove the ball from the hole using a club;
Do not mark the position of a ball on a green by scratching the surface of the green;
Respect ropes and cordons installed by the course maintenance staff.
PART III: SAFETY RULES AND ADVICE
Advice in the Event of a Thunderstorm
Avoid:
Open areas;
High ground;
Isolated trees;
Water;
Metal;
Electrical equipment;
Wire fences, overhead wires and power lines;
Electric irrigation equipment;
Maintenance equipment.
Seek:
The lowest-lying areas;
Sandy areas, including lower bunkers, provided they are not flooded;
Dense woodland;
Maintenance shelters;
Cars;
The clubhouse.
Advice in the Event of Cardiac Distress
In an emergency:
Call the emergency services on 112 or 18 (Fire Brigade);
A first-aid kit is available at: Central Reception / Workshop;
Automated external defibrillators are available at: Central Reception / Oiselet Reception / Workshop.
PART IV: INSTRUCTION
All courses or lessons provided on the facilities may only be given by instructors authorised by the golf management.
Lessons may take place throughout the golf facilities.
Instructors have priority access to the practice areas.
Driving-range balls are not included in the price of lessons. They must be paid for at the reception desk, collected from the automatic ball dispenser and may not be kept by the user, as they remain the property of Golf National.
PART V: EQUIPMENT RENTAL / LOAN
1 – Equipment
Equipment Loan as Part of Instruction
As part of group lessons, equipment is loaned by the instructors for the duration of the lessons and must be returned to the instructors.
Outside the context of instruction, equipment is rented for a fee at the golf reception desk.
The rental will involve:
Completion of a form specifying the rental conditions, including provisions relating to lost clubs;
Submission of an identity document, which will be returned by the reception desk once all equipment has been returned in good condition.
Once the equipment has been handed over to the person renting it, that person assumes responsibility for it and accepts personal liability in the event of improper use, damage, theft or an accident. The equipment must be returned in good condition to the reception desk.
The return deadline is set by the reception staff. Once this deadline has passed, the renter will again be liable for the rental fee, and this will continue until all outstanding amounts have been paid in full.
In the event of damage, the renter will be liable for the cost of repairs and, in the event of theft, for the value of the equipment.
See Rental Agreement.
Golf Trolleys
Golf National provides players with golf trolleys free of charge, subject to availability.
In the event of adverse weather conditions, the use of trolleys on the courses may not be permitted.
After use, trolleys must be returned to the designated area.
PART VI: COMPETITIONS
Competitions are organised by Golf National, unless otherwise specified.
Entries for competitions may be made either at the reception desk using the designated entry forms during reception opening hours, or by telephone. Entries close 72 hours before the competition at 12:00 noon.
These competitions, which are announced at least 15 days in advance, are open to all active ffgolf licence holders who have validly registered a medical certificate or health questionnaire.
Any player who has not provided an up-to-date medical certificate or health questionnaire before teeing off in the competition will not be allowed to participate or appear in the results.
To take part in a competition, licensed players must pay the competition fee at the reception desk, as well as the applicable green fee, where required.
Participants are responsible for keeping themselves informed of their tee times, which are posted on the Golf National portal and in the ffgolf licence-holder area.
A player's cancellation must be notified to the reception desk at least 24 hours in advance. In the event of an unplanned absence or an absence without a valid reason, the player will be declared disqualified and will remain liable for the entry fee.
Players who arrive late, up to a maximum of 5 minutes after their tee time, and without a valid reason, will be penalised two strokes on the first hole, in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
At the end of the competition, the duly completed scorecard, signed by the player and countersigned by the marker, must be handed in at the reception desk. Incomplete scorecards will not be taken into consideration.
Participants in a competition must always submit their scorecard, regardless of their result.
In the event of a tie, the result will be determined by comparing scores over the last 9 holes. If the tie remains, the last 6 holes will be considered, then the last 3 holes, and finally the last hole, unless specific competition rules provide otherwise.
The prize-giving ceremony takes place at the end of the competition, unless otherwise specified.
If one of the winners is absent from the prize-giving ceremony, their prize will be awarded by drawing lots, unless the competition committee decides otherwise.
Only individual competitions officially sanctioned by the French Golf Federation may result in a change to players' handicaps/indexes.
The competition committee reserves the right to amend the competition rules at any time.
If the committee is unable to reach a decision, it may initially refer the matter to the Rules Committee of the French Golf Federation, which will refer the matter to The Royal and Ancient in the event of any doubt.
PART VII: ASSOCIATION SPORTIVE DES ESPOIRS DU GOLF NATIONAL (ASEGN)
The purpose of the Association Sportive des Espoirs du Golf National is to promote and develop the practice of golf among young people, particularly through competitions.
Membership of the association is open exclusively to players aged 21 or under, except for supervising/coaching members.
In order to participate in team competitions and represent Golf National, players must join the sports association, subscribe to a Golf National membership and hold a licence with the sports association.
Every member of the sports association is required to hold a Golf National membership.
The association's registered office is located at 2 avenue du Golf, 78280 Guyancourt.
For further information, please contact the Golf National reception desk.
PART VIII: PETS
Pets are not permitted either within the golf premises or on the courses, with the exception of guide dogs for the visually impaired.
PART IX: OPENING AND CLOSING OF GOLF NATIONAL / SEASONS
The facilities are open all year round, except on December 25 and January 1 of each year.
All users and visitors of Golf National are informed and acknowledge that all or part of the Golf National facilities may exceptionally be closed in the following circumstances, without this list being exhaustive: frost, thaw, snow, bad weather, flooding, works, annual leave and private use of the courses, administrative closure, etc.
Likewise, Golf National facilities are closed annually during periods covering:
The French Open;
National or international championships organised by the French Golf Federation or Golf National, or hosted at Golf National;
Other events hosted at Golf National.
These closure periods amount to approximately five (5) to six (6) weeks per year, including the competitions themselves and their preparation periods, a significant part of which takes place in June and July.
Users and visitors may find out the closure dates relating to these events by consulting the Golf National website.
PART X: CONTROL OF ACCESS TO FACILITIES / VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
Course marshals and any other Golf National staff members (instructors, golf staff, reception staff, greenkeepers, etc.) are authorised, including but not limited to, to:
Ensure compliance with golf etiquette;
Enforce tee times;
Maintain the pace of play;
Check players' eligibility to access the course;
Ensure that players comply with appropriate dress requirements.
The course marshal or any Golf National staff member is authorised to intervene in all circumstances. They may remove a player from the course if the player's behaviour is deemed unacceptable or contrary to these Internal Rules and Regulations.
Users are also informed that certain practice areas (technical bays) are equipped with a video surveillance system.
The bays are subject to video surveillance by the French Golf Federation / Golf National for the following purposes:
Monitoring users of the Performance Centre facilities (reservation made and approval granted by the DTN);
Monitoring the proper use of the Performance Centre facilities and equipment by users;
Preventing and monitoring any damage to the Performance Centre facilities and equipment;
Preventing and monitoring any damage to property.
Images are retained for one month and may, in the event of an incident, be viewed by authorised personnel of the ffgolf Technical Directorate, authorised Golf National personnel and, where applicable, law enforcement authorities.
Users may exercise their right of access to images concerning them by contacting the Data Protection Officer at dpo@ffgolf.org, or by post at:
ffgolf – Data Protection Officer
68 rue Anatole France
92309 Levallois-Perret Cedex
France
If, after contacting the Data Protection Officer, you believe that your data protection rights have not been respected in accordance with applicable data-protection rules, you may lodge a complaint with the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority).
PART XI: TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT EXCLUSION
A user may be temporarily or permanently excluded in the following circumstances, without this list being exhaustive:
Failure to comply with these Internal Rules and Regulations and their Appendix;
Inappropriate, dangerous or aggressive behaviour anywhere on the Golf National premises;
Legitimate grounds justifying a refusal to sell.
During the exclusion period, the user shall not be entitled to any full or partial refund, extension or postponement of their membership or playing rights.
Temporary or permanent exclusion shall be notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, or by any other means providing proof that the user received the notification. The exclusion shall take effect on the date of the first presentation of the notification.
PART XII: PERSONAL DATA
Any personal data collected from users is subject to electronic processing and is intended for authorised Golf National staff and its subcontractors. With the member's consent, such data may be transmitted to Golf National's partners.
The purposes of processing are as follows: management and monitoring of users; management and monitoring of holders of personalised cards; preparation of statistics; sporting history (handicap/index updates); promotional activities (commercial offers, competitions); newsletters; surveys or studies (satisfaction, usage, etc.); general information from Golf National (openings, closures, weather); information required to comply with Golf National's legal and regulatory obligations; and archiving.
The data collected is retained for five (5) years from the end of the last playing right or membership purchased.
You may exercise your right to access your personal data, have it corrected or deleted, restrict its processing and, where applicable, object to its processing by contacting Golf National at contact@legolfnational.com or by post at:
Le Golf National
2 avenue du Golf
78280 Guyancourt
France
Requests will be processed within 30 days.
If, after contacting us, you believe that your data protection rights have not been respected in accordance with applicable data-protection rules, you may lodge a complaint with the CNIL.
PART XIII: IMAGE RIGHTS
Users are informed that they may be photographed and/or filmed as part of their participation in a competition at Golf National.
By accepting these general terms and conditions, the customer agrees that, in connection with the publication of sporting results, photographs, images and their first and last name may be used to illustrate Golf National's institutional communication materials, including the Golf National and ffgolf websites, technical documents, press packs, posters, television reports, sporting results, etc.
The customer remains entitled to withdraw this authorisation in writing at any time by contacting the Director of Golf National.
This image-rights authorisation is voluntary and without financial compensation, regardless of the nature or extent of the distribution. It remains valid for two years following the date of the competition.
For photography or filming outside the context of a competition, Golf National undertakes to obtain authorisation from the persons concerned for the use of such images in its communication materials.
PART XIV: INSURANCE FOR LICENCE HOLDERS
In accordance with the French Sports Code (Article L 321-1 et seq.), users are informed that, as an Establishment for Physical and Sports Activities, Golf National has taken out an insurance policy covering the consequences and damages arising from its civil liability and that of its participants.
Licence holders of the French Golf Federation are also informed that they benefit from the following insurance coverage:
Civil Liability Insurance
This insurance covers bodily injury or material damage that licence holders may cause to third parties in connection with their practice of golf in France or abroad.
Personal Accident Insurance *
This optional insurance is intended to compensate licence holders for bodily injury they may suffer as a result of an accident for which they are victims and where no liable third party has been identified, or if they injure themselves.
Assistance / Repatriation Insurance *
This optional insurance covers assistance and repatriation costs in the event of an accident during a golf trip in France or abroad.
* Procedure for Opting Out of Optional Insurance
French Golf Federation licence holders benefit from Personal Accident Insurance and Assistance / Repatriation Insurance.
From the date their licence is issued, licence holders have one month to opt out of the optional Personal Accident and/or Assistance / Repatriation insurance by contacting the ffgolf by email at juridique@ffgolf.org or by post at:
ffgolf – Legal Department
68 rue Anatole France
92309 Levallois-Perret Cedex
France
The request must specify:
Their contact details (surname / first name / postal address / landline or mobile telephone number / email address / 2024 licence number);
The insurance coverage from which they do not wish to benefit.
Licence holders who submit this request within the required period will receive a cheque from the ffgolf corresponding to the amount of the insurance coverage they have declined:
€0.804 for Personal Accident Insurance;
€0.06 for Assistance / Repatriation Insurance.
In accordance with the French Sports Code, the ffgolf informs its licence holders of:
The importance of taking out personal accident insurance covering bodily injury to which the practice of golf may expose them;
The possibility of taking out additional insurance from AIAC Courtage to improve the basic “bodily injury” coverage;
The existence of legal and psychological support and coverage for legal proceedings incurred by victims of sexual, physical and psychological violence.
Licence holders remain free to contact any insurance adviser of their choice who may offer additional coverage suited to their circumstances.
Useful Contacts
For any questions or information concerning Civil Liability and Personal Accident Insurance:
AIAC Courtage
14 rue de Clichy
75009 Paris, France
Tel: 0800 886 486 or 01 44 53 28 53
Email: assurance-ffgolf@aiac.fr
For additional insurance to improve the basic “bodily injury” coverage, the original document provides an online subscription link.
For questions or information concerning Assistance / Repatriation Insurance:
EUROP ASSISTANCE
Tel: +33 1 41 85 87 93
Email: medical@europ-assistance.fr
Information relating to insurance (civil liability insurance and personal insurance) is available:
At the Golf National reception desk;
On the French Golf Federation website.
PART XV: ETHICS AND INTEGRITY
Golf National and its users undertake to comply with the principles of ethics and compliance applicable to them and, in particular, to refrain from any conduct that could be characterised as active or passive corruption, influence peddling or complicity in influence peddling, favouritism or complicity in or concealment of favouritism.
The relevant Charter is available on the ffgolf website.
Customers acknowledge that they have read the ffgolf Ethics and Conduct Charter and undertake to comply with it.
PART XVI: FORCE MAJEURE
Neither Party shall be held liable for any failure to fulfil its obligations under the Contract if such failure results from a force majeure event, meaning an unforeseeable, unavoidable event beyond the express control of the Parties that prevents normal performance of the Contract, as defined by Article 1218 of the French Civil Code.
Such events include social unrest, severe weather and natural disasters, fires, floods, acts of war, bomb threats, attacks, acts of terrorism, requisition orders, injunctions and/or public-order measures imposing restrictions on the purpose of the Contract and/or the free movement of goods and persons issued by any authority, as well as any other event meeting the characteristics established by the case law of the French Court of Cassation, including pandemics and computer failures.
A force majeure event suspends the obligations of the affected Party for as long as the force majeure event continues, provided that such suspension does not exceed two (2) consecutive months. The contractual obligations of the affected Party shall resume once the force majeure event has ceased.
The Party affected by a force majeure event must notify the other Party by any means as soon as reasonably possible. The same Party must notify the other Party, following the same procedure, of the date on which the force majeure event has ceased.
Following the force majeure event, the affected Party undertakes to use its best efforts to resume performance of the Contract as soon as possible and to minimise any delays caused by the event.
If the force majeure event and its consequences continue for more than two (2) consecutive months, either Party may terminate this Contract automatically and with immediate effect, provided that it notifies the other Party of its decision by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
Article 1218 of the French Civil Code
Force majeure in contractual matters exists where an event beyond the debtor's control, which could not reasonably have been foreseen when the contract was entered into and whose effects cannot be avoided by appropriate measures, prevents the debtor from performing its obligation.
If the impediment is temporary, performance of the obligation is suspended unless the resulting delay justifies termination of the contract. If the impediment is permanent, the contract is automatically terminated and the parties are released from their obligations under the conditions provided for in Articles 1351 and 1351-1 of the French Civil Code.
PART XVII: LANGUAGE, APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
Consumer Mediation
These Internal Rules and Regulations are governed by French law.
If these Internal Rules and Regulations are translated into English and there is any discrepancy between the two versions, the French version shall prevail.
Since January 1, 2016, every consumer has the right to make free use of a consumer mediator in order to seek an amicable resolution of a potential dispute with a professional.
After contacting the Golf National Customer Service Department at contact@legolfnational.com, and if no satisfactory response is received or no response is received within 60 days, the member may refer the matter to the Tourism and Travel Mediator, whose contact details and referral procedures are available on its website.
If no solution acceptable to both parties is reached through consumer mediation, the Versailles Judicial Court shall have jurisdiction to rule on the dispute.
Guyancourt, January 1, 2024.
