Golf green card and rules: the complete guide
In France, the green card (carte verte) shows that you know the rules and etiquette of golf and can play a course on your own. Clubs usually prepare you with theory and practice lessons, followed by a two-part exam: a multiple-choice test and an on-course assessment with a professional.
This guide gathers our articles to help you get there. Start with how to obtain the golf green card in France, check how much it costs and how long it takes, then revise the rules and etiquette for the exam.
Once you have the card, the rules keep saving or costing you strokes: on the green, in the sand or in your first competition. The last part of the guide covers those situations.
What is the French green card?
The carte verte (green card) certifies that a beginner can play a golf course on their own and safely: they know the basic rules, respect etiquette, keep a decent pace and hit the ball well enough not to hold up other players. It is issued by club golf teachers under the French Golf Federation (ffgolf) scheme. In 2024, 15,461 green cards were issued in France.
Most French courses require a green card (or an official handicap index) before letting you on the main course. Without it, you are limited to the range, compact courses and pitch and putt, or you must be accompanied by a teacher. It does not give you a handicap index: that comes with your first recorded scores in a club competition.
Requirements
- A current ffgolf licence, mandatory to take the exam. For 2026 it costs €62 for an adult, €38 for 19 to 25 year olds, €25 for 13 to 18 and €22 under 13, insurance included.
- A playable level: no score is required, but you must be able to move the ball forward on every shot, get out of a bunker and finish a hole with the putter. Most clubs expect a few nine-hole rounds before the assessment.
- No minimum age. Kids in golf schools usually take it between 10 and 12.
How the exam works
The exam takes place in your club with a teacher, in two parts:
- A written multiple-choice test of about twenty questions in about twenty minutes, on the rules and on behaviour on the course.
- An on-course assessment of about one hour, on a few holes or a nine-hole loop. The teacher watches your technique (tee shots, fairway, short game, bunker, putting), how you apply the rules (drops, marking, raking), your pace and, above all, safety. A safety fault is eliminatory everywhere.
The exact grid varies from club to club. Ask for it before the day: it is rarely a secret.
How much does it cost in 2026?
There is no national exam fee; the cost is the training, the licence and the gear:
- ffgolf licence: €62 (adult).
- Group-lesson green card package: €300 to €600, usually 10 to 12 sessions.
- Intensive course (3 to 5 days): €400 to €900.
- Beginner half set: €150 to €300 new, half that second hand.
- Nine-hole green fees to practise: €15 to €30.
A complete first year usually lands between €600 and €1,200. Weekly lessons take three to six months; an intensive week is enough for a sporty adult who has already held a club.
How to pass first time
Four habits, started six to eight weeks before the exam: play one nine-hole round a week and log every shot (Teech Golf's GPS scorecard takes fifteen seconds a hole and shows where you lose strokes); revise the rules quiz actively, re-reading the situation for every mistake; practise ten minutes of bunker and a few drops at every range session; and play one rehearsal round applying the rules strictly, timed, the week before.
The seven faults teachers see most often are all behavioural: hitting while the group ahead is in range, dropping wrongly, searching for a ball too long, grounding the club or not raking in a bunker, walking on someone's putting line, not being ready to play, and trying to shoot a score instead of making sensible choices.
The articles of this guide
Get your green card
How to Obtain the Golf Green Card in France: Guide to Training, Exam, and Unlocking Access to Courses and Competitions
Obtaining the golf green card in France is an essential step for any player wishing to access courses and participate in competitions. This process involves theoretical and practical training, focused on the rules of the game, etiquette, and mastering different golf techniques. The final exam, combining a theoretical test and a practical evaluation on the course, validates the golfer's skills. Passing this exam opens the door to a rewarding playing experience, respecting the traditions of golf.
How Much Does It Cost and How Long Does It Take to Get Your Golf Green Card? A Complete Guide to Lessons, Equipment, and Registration Fees
Obtaining the golf green card is an important step for any golfer wishing to play on certified courses. This article explores in detail the time and cost required to obtain this card, taking into account golf lessons, necessary equipment, and registration fees. We will also analyze the factors that can influence these costs, such as the location of the golf club and the level of instruction. Finally, we will offer tips to optimize the budget while ensuring quality training.
Understanding the Green Card in Golf: Importance, Step-by-Step Guide, and Essential Resources for Beginners
This article serves as a starting point for anyone looking to understand the importance of the green card in golf and the steps to obtain it, while offering links to detailed resources for each aspect of the process.
Revise the rules for the exam
Mastering Golf Rules and Etiquette: Key Tips to Pass the Green Card Exam and Enjoy Golf in France
To obtain the green card in France, golfers must master the fundamental rules and etiquette of golf, ensuring responsible and enjoyable practice of the sport. This includes understanding ball marking, right of way, score management, and procedures in case of game interruptions due to weather. Knowledge of these rules, combined with respectful behavior on the course, not only guarantees success in the green card exam but also enhances the overall golf experience for all participants.
Essential Golf Rules for Green Card Aspiring Golfers: Understanding Penalty Areas and Zones to Improve Your Game and Play by the Rules
In this article, we will explore three essential rules to know for golfers wishing to obtain their green card. We will focus specifically on understanding penalty areas, including the red, yellow, and white zones, which are crucial for playing by the rules and improving one’s game. Each section will detail a rule, explaining its importance and how it applies on the course.
Rules that save strokes
Essential Golf Green Rules: Water Management, Ball Marking, Sprinkler Heads & Avoiding Penalties for Better Play
This article has explored the essential rules to know about the green, including water management, annoying holes, sprinkler heads, interactions with partners' balls, plugged balls in the bunker, and how to mark your ball. By following these guidelines, you can improve your game and avoid unnecessary penalties.
10 Essential Lesser-Known Golf Rules for Your First Competition: Master Club Limits, Embedded Ball Relief, Animal Interference & More to Boost Confidence and Performance
For a successful first golf competition, it is crucial to know the lesser-known rules of the game. This article presents ten of these rules, such as the limit of 14 clubs, relief from embedded balls, and animal interference, to help you play with confidence and optimize your performance.
Mastering Golf Bunker Rules: Essential Guidelines, Techniques, Penalties, and Strategies for Navigating Fairway and Green Bunkers Effectively on the Course
The article on bunker rules in golf details the essential principles that golfers must master to effectively approach this part of the course. It begins by explaining what a bunker is and the different types encountered, such as fairway bunkers and green bunkers. It then covers the specific rules of play in bunkers, including the prohibition of touching the sand with the club before striking the ball, and the various penalties associated with common infractions. The article also offers techniques and strategies for getting out of a bunker, emphasizing the choice of club, ball position, and swing method. Furthermore, it addresses the management of casual water in bunkers and the local rules that may apply. In conclusion, understanding and correctly applying the bunker rules is crucial for any golfer looking to improve their game and avoid unnecessary penalties.
Green card FAQ
Is the green card compulsory to play golf in France?
There is no legal obligation, but most French courses require it to access the main course when you have no handicap index. Without it you stay on the range, compact course and pitch and putt, or play with a teacher.
Do I need an ffgolf licence?
Yes, the current year’s licence is mandatory to take the exam. In 2026 it costs €62 for adults, €38 for 19 to 25 year olds, €25 for 13 to 18 and €22 under 13.
How much does the green card cost?
There is no national exam fee. Training costs €300 to €600 in group lessons or €400 to €900 as an intensive course, plus the €62 licence and gear. A full first year usually costs €600 to €1,200.
How long does it take?
One week as an intensive course, three to six months with weekly lessons. The decisive factor is how many nine-hole rounds you play outside lessons.
Does the green card give me a handicap?
No. Your handicap index comes from your first recorded scores in club competitions, starting from 54. The green card is what lets you enter those competitions.
Is it valid abroad?
It is a French scheme, but most European courses accept an equivalent proof of level. Countries that require an official handicap will need your index.
Other guides
- Putting
- Driver & distance
- Shank & irons
- Bunker & short game
- Handicap & strategy
- Mental game & practice
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