At the beginning of December Victor Dubuisson took everyone by surprise by announcing at the age of 33 that he was calling time on his career. The golf world was shaken by this news concerning the double winner of the Turkish Open (2013 and 2015).
Dubuisson left his mark on the history of his sport, even if many imagined him capable of appearing at the top of world golf. A pure talent who carried the colors of France high? also winning the 2014 Ryder Cup and reaching 15th place in the world.
So far? no one did better (with the exception of Céline Boutier among women). In recent years, Dubuisson had lost the flame, tired of the solitude that the life of a top athlete sometimes reserves. Today, the Riviera is turning the page, but above all wants to open a new chapter for new momentum.
You announced the end of your career, how do you feel?
Alright. I received a lot of positive messages, with lots of thanks and encouragement for the rest of my life. It warms my heart and is very encouraging for the future. For me, today, everything is clear in my head.
Did you have doubts before making this announcement?
Let’s say that it’s been a year since I asked myself the question of turning the page to do something else. Obviously, before that, when the results were not good, I had doubts and the desire to stop. But it was regarding performance. I needed time to prepare for what came next, to know exactly what I wanted. But in my head, the decision was made. It wasn’t regarding courage, just making the right decision at the right time.
What will you spend your time on?
I have been thinking regarding doing coaching for many years. It’s something I’m passionate regarding. I’ve coached a few players already and it gave me a feeling of pleasure that I hadn’t felt in a long time. This moment when, through advice, we correct something and please the other. It’s a very important feeling and it allows me to contribute my experience. But to turn to this path, I had to make the decision to stop.
With my friend Jean-Luc Autiero from the Autiero academy (Biot), where I started golf at 7 years old with Jean-Marc, his brother, we wanted to launch into a common project, that of golf stays with coaching (see box). I had been a professional golfer for 14 years. Life on the circuit with so much solitude no longer suited me. There are advantages to making a living from your passion but also disadvantages that I might no longer bear. It had become too heavy; this loneliness.
Now I want to pass on my knowledge and offer people my experience while accompanying them on a stay to enjoy good times. It’s a vacation, but with the coaching side. I make myself available to players who want to have a good time playing golf, that’s what gives me satisfaction. I will be in Tenerife in the winter where I live and in the summer almost everywhere, in the most beautiful golf courses in Europe.
You stop at 33, aren’t you afraid that you’ll miss it?
For me, professional life on the circuit is completely over. I have another goal in mind, and since I’m quite an obsessive person, I’m going to do everything to achieve it. The day I reach it, maybe I’ll find something else, but right now, I’m dedicating myself 100% to these internships and I don’t want to waste time on the different requests and proposals that I may have had. these last weeks. This is not a default project. I’ve been thinking regarding it for two years. Nothing will change my mind.
Do you understand those who are surprised by this choice?
Perfectly. It may be surprising. I’ve had relatives call me to tell me I should have gone on the Liv Tour, etc. Yes, I might still play tournaments on the circuit, but it was simply not what I wanted to do anymore. And it has nothing to do with the fact that I was playing less well… even if I had been top 50 in the Race to Dubai, I would still have moved on! I’m starting a second life. The first was extraordinary, with my debut on the Tour at 19, but I find a huge surge of motivation in this new project. Something I no longer had for professional golf.
Why not coach at a high level?
I have been asked this question a lot and I have received a lot of requests for high level players, academies, professional players on the circuit, etc. But that’s not what I want. I know that I will be better able to give pleasure to players who do not want to make it their job and have a good time, rather than returning to the very high level. With the stress, the demands, the travel that goes with it. Helping young players because it makes me happy, yes. Young amateurs who have ambitions, yes why not, in order to help them avoid the small mistakes that we can make when we start.
Simple and sincere moments
You have always shown yourself to be accessible to young people. For what?
Because I think I’m a generous person. Seeing young people who are motivated and who have dreams touches me and makes me want to reach out to them. You must not forget that I am a very reserved person. I hate it when things are arranged in advance, scheduled with a sponsor etc. I always preferred to do things when I wanted to. I would sometimes play with young people following my training sessions or before and have a really good time. Just for the pleasure of the game. Simple and sincere moments. That’s what I like. And as soon as I see someone struggling with their game, I can’t help but find the problem and help them. I see it right away. That’s what I like to look for.
How do you explain the success of many golfers from the Côte d’Azur?
I think it’s thanks to the quality of the golf courses and the different styles of courses. The weather is also often very good. It must also be admitted that the French Golf Federation has been doing very good work at the high level since Pascal Grizot has been president. Today, as soon as young French people turn professional, they perform very quickly. The work done on the amateur-pro transition is remarkable.
Treat yourself to a stay with Victor Dubuisson
For his reconversion, the best French golfer Victor Dubuisson offers to live an extraordinary experience through golfing stays in Tenerife. This Canary Island brings together some of the most beautiful golf & resort complexes. Created 5 years ago, the Nice Golf Travel agency has put together a 5-star program over around fifteen weeks until spring, with others to follow following the summer. “First of all, these are not internships but rather stays”, confides Jean-Luc Autiero, pro teacher in golf travel for more than 25 years and friend of the French champion.
The founder of Nice Golf Travel reveals the philosophy of these exceptional moments: “We will focus the stays around several strong points: sharing experience and moments with Victor; teaching around his vision of the game with advice on the course in situ; the quality of the courses on which we will play and well sure the conviviality. We want it to be warm and open, assures Jean-Luc Autiero. Moreover, several ranges of hotels will be offered so as not to make something inaccessible or elitist. On the contrary, below 25 d “index, everyone will be able to afford the opportunity to experience an incredible week.”
Info and reservation
or by email: contact@nicegolftravel.com
