Golf license 2026: price, requirements and procedures in Annecy

What is a golf license and what exactly is its purpose?

The Golf Licence This is the official certificate issued annually by the French Golf Federation (FFGolf). It's not just an administrative document: it identifies you as a recognized golfer, provides insurance coverage, and allows you to improve your handicap.

In practical terms, this license provides you with three things:

• Federal liability insurance, which covers you if a stray ball causes damage to a third party or a vehicle — a very real risk on a course.
• A license number and a digital certificate, which can be viewed at any time in your My ffgolf space or on the Kady application.
• Access to the index (disability), the official measure of your level, essential as soon as you want to place yourself or register for a competition.

At the reception of Golf du Belvédère, Patrice, Alicia and Adrien regularly accompany new players in this process — it is often the first question asked after a successful introduction on our 9-hole course.

Is a golf license required to play in Annecy?

No French law formally requires this document to hit balls at the driving range or try an introductory lesson. However, it becomes the norm as soon as you want to access a course regularly, participate in a competition, or benefit from federal insurance — most clubs, including ours, strongly recommend it beyond a first visit.

At Golf du Belvédère, certain options remain accessible without a license for visitors and beginners, notably the’Sunday initiation, Open to all and designed to introduce the sport without commitment. However, as soon as you do several outings or aim for the course independently, getting your license will prevent any unpleasant surprises at reception.

What are the concrete, everyday benefits, beyond access to the course?

This federal document is not merely an entry formality. It also unlocks services that many players only discover after their first season:

• Index tracking via the World Handicap System (WHS) : each game played according to the rules, including certain certified friendly games, can increase your official level.
• The Kady app : booking tee times, entering scores, viewing your history — a true digital logbook.
• Discounts at federal partners : green fees, equipment, golf breaks, depending on current offers.
• Easier access to local competitions, including those organised around Annecy and in Haute-Savoie.

For a regular player at Golf du Belvédère, it is often this index tracking that makes the difference between "I play from time to time" and "I am progressing and I can compare myself from one season to the next".

What is the price of a golf license in 2026?

The fee depends on the player's age. For the 2026 season, the French Golf Federation applies the following scale:

These amounts correspond to the basic package, without any additional options, and include the federal civil liability insurance required by the Sports Code. A physical card is still available for an extra charge (a few euros) if you prefer a printed document to the digital version. In practice, the vast majority of players now simply use the digital certificate, which is quicker to present and always up-to-date.

Is the price the same everywhere?

Yes, the fee schedule is set nationally by the French Golf Federation (FFGolf): whether you purchase your license online, through a club in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, or elsewhere in France, the base price remains the same. What may vary, however, are the package deals offered by some clubs (license + green fees, end-of-season license + following season license).

Independent license or license through a club: what's the difference?

There are two statuses, and the choice has a real impact on your practice:

Independent licensee You order your title directly online, without being affiliated with a club. You retain complete freedom to play wherever you want, but you cannot represent a club in team competitions.

Member of a sports club or association Your document is managed by the club, often included in your membership fee or subscription. You gain access to club activities, internal events, and can represent the club in team competitions.

For a player who regularly plays on the same course—which is the case for the majority of our members at Saint-Martin-Bellevue—going through the club significantly simplifies the process: the reception handles the formalities with the French Golf Federation (FFGolf), and you only need to provide your documents. Generally, you'll need to bring an identity document and, for a first-time application, your medical certificate.

How can I obtain this document in Annecy?

There are two simple ways to obtain this document, whether you are already a player or just starting out:

1. Online, independently Go to ffgolf.org, create your account and pay your membership fee by credit card. You will receive your digital certificate immediately in your My ffgolf area.
2. At the reception of a club, accompanied At Golf du Belvédère, Patrice, Alicia and Adrien guide you through the process, answer your questions and direct you directly to the next logical step — initiation, Private lessons with Julien and Adrien, or first guided tour.

For a beginner, the second option remains the most comfortable: it avoids administrative hesitations and immediately transforms the purchase into a concrete project rather than a simple online formality.

This license and the green card: what's the difference, and in what order?

These two documents are often confused, even though they serve different purposes:

• The license is yours federal status : it covers insurance, official identification and access to FFGolf services.
• The the golf Green Card, validates your autonomy on the course: it proves that you know the safety rules, the pace of play and basic etiquette.

The logical order for a beginner in Annecy: get your license, take an introductory course or a few lessons, then aim for the the golf Green Card, to play the course independently. The document alone is not enough to freely access a complete 9 holes; it is the combination of the two that truly unlocks the game.

Medical certificate or health questionnaire: what you need to know

For a first application, a medical certificate stating that there are no contraindications to practicing the sport is required—a standard formality for any federated sport. For subsequent renewals, the procedure is simpler: if your certificate is less than 3 years old, an online health questionnaire is sufficient, provided that all your answers are negative.

The best approach is to check the rules applicable to your situation (age, recreational or competitive play) directly in your My ffgolf account when purchasing or renewing your membership, rather than relying on outdated information found elsewhere. For minors, the federation provides a specific document: the club reception can tell you which one corresponds to your child's age.

Time-wasting mistakes

5-day plan: from your license to your first ride

This approach is only worthwhile if it leads to actual gameplay. Here is a simple sequence, tested with the new players at the Belvedere:

• Day 1 — Pick up your license (online or at reception) and collect your digital certificate. Allow about ten minutes if you go through the club; the team will take care of the rest.
• Day 2 — Book a session or introductory course to work on grip, posture and first ball contacts. These fundamentals determine the rest of your progress.
• Day 3 — Spend time on the practice range to solidify the feel before thinking about the course.
• Day 4 — Review the essential rules: safety, distances, pace of play, basic etiquette. These principles, more than technique, are the first things checked on the course.
• Day 5 — Try a short, accompanied format, to put all of this in a real-life situation.

Even spread over several weeks if your schedule requires it, this process avoids the classic pitfall: a purchase made in enthusiasm, then forgotten due to lack of concrete follow-up.