Jean-Claude Cornillot, architect specialized in Golf design, has created a golf course unique in Europe, entirely synthetic, as part of a new concept of golf-leisure, GOLF UP located in Grimaud (83). Faced with the development of golf in France, (more than 800 players) it was necessary to imagine a new way of creating playing fields to adapt to the evolution of the practice of golf.

Photo: DR

The new GOLF UP concept initiated by Robert Roussille, originally a golf instructor and today manager of the operation, is part of the sport development plan supported by the French Golf Federation promoting the creation of the "100 small local structures ”to allow everyone to discover this discipline.

Golf consists of:

  • A 9-hole Pitch & Putt course
  • A Practice of 45 positions on 2 levels
  • Two 500m2 Putting Green
  • A training area for bunker approaches and exits

All play areas are made of synthetic grass.

Beyond a golf course, this new concept offers other services: A Pro-Shop on more than 150m2 with a “tailor-made” club workshop, a restaurant, a seminar room and luxury accommodation on site.

Golf Up is a modern golf course open to all. This is why its access is free, without subscription or green card conditions. Adjusted prices allow accessibility to all and whatever their levels. More than a hundred registered children have already been able to discover the technique of golf in a fun way.

Since its creation in March 2017, more than 3000 players who have practiced Golf Up particularly appreciate "the game on demand". Learning, development, competitions… Mark CROSSFIELD youtuber golfer and champion Bernd WIESBERGER tested the course, and were won over by the quality of the terrain.

In this context, one year after its creation, in March 2017, the GOLF UP delivers an initial positive assessment.

The advantages of synthetic golf

  • Golfing performance sensations very similar to the game on natural grass, thanks to the recent evolution of synthetic turf. The pitch and roll of the ball on the greens is as fast as on those of high level golf courses.
  • Ecological benefit: saving water, no phytosanitary products or fertilizers, little maintenance equipment, no mowing waste.
  • Adaptation to any type of climate, interesting alternative for hot and dry climates (water saving).
  • Easy maintenance of the land with few human and material resources.
  • Automated ball collection on practice range (robot).
  • Immediate opening of the Golf after work.

The creation of golf up by Jean-Claude Cornillot

Golf architect for almost 35 years, and good level player, Jean-Claude Cornillot likes to bring his personal touch to the creation of golf courses combining technicality and aesthetics, always in search of the pleasure of the golfer.

Many investors have entrusted their achievements to it (Lille, Arras, Hardelot, Bussy St Georges, etc.). Thus DECATHLON in 2016 asked it to carry out the extension of the 9 holes + Pitch & Putt of the INESIS Golf Park, which illustrates the new generation of urban golf courses, vectors of the democratization of this sport.

Focused on innovation Jean-Claude Cornillot had already worked with synthetic material for greens and approach areas: Golf de Bondues and Golf des Yvelines, produced in 2010 and 2011.

To achieve the Golf Up, it was necessary to imagine an attractive course that fits perfectly into the typology of the land by adapting to the different levels of play of its practitioners.

Achieving a fully synthetic golf course is a real challenge because it has to face a double environmental and technical constraint.

Soil study, analysis of natural constraints to transform them into assets

The synthetic covered play areas were stripped 40 to 60 cm thick, then filled, on a leveled bottom, with a gravel ballast of the same thickness, allowing the water table to circulate while preserving their stability. Slopes were built on the ground to lead the rainwater towards retention basins by underground nozzles.

Creation of a course adapted to golf performance

The volumes of earth cuttings extracted made it possible to create mounds and peripheral leveling, thus ensuring the golfing relief and the landscaping of the project.

Before laying the synthetic material, the landscaped ground was covered with a “shape memory” underlay to prevent the golf ball from bouncing. Sanding with a particular grain size contributes to this objective.

Use of quality materials ensuring the sustainability of the course

The choice fell on a quality synthetic turf, offering several heights but also different shades of colors and densities, in order to reproduce as faithfully as possible the “natural” turf of a classic course.

Integration of natural areas into the synthetic route

To reinforce the perfect integration of the synthetic into the environment, the natural spaces around the playing areas have been sown with a variety of turf resistant to excess drought and presenting shades of colors in harmony with the green of the synthetic. A large budget has also been allocated to regional plant species.

It will have taken 2 years to carry out all the studies, and obtain the administrative authorizations, before the construction of the golf course which will have lasted 1 year. 3 years necessary for this exceptional and avant-garde achievement which opens the way to a new generation of golf courses!

To know more : http://www.golfup.fr/