Mathieu: When an Idea Becomes a Life-Size Playground

On Nohô, passions sometimes take unexpected turns. Some stem from a hobby, others from a hunch… or even a dream.

That’s exactly what happened to Mathieu. At 44, he’s turning a slightly crazy idea into a very real concept: a hybrid, playful space accessible to everyone, where we play with the rules of sports to better reinvent them.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Mathieu Lamy, I’m 44 years old, I’m married, and I have two children. Career-wise, I come from a business background. I worked as a salesperson, then as a sales manager, gaining experience in small shops as well as large national companies as a sales representative. But at some point, I wanted to create something of my own.

How did your idea come about?

It’s pretty simple… and a little crazy, too. At the time, I had 8 years of golf under my belt and 19 years of soccer. And one night, I had a dream: I was playing golf… with a soccer ball. Except, of course, the ball wouldn’t go in the hole. That’s when the idea was born.

Six months later, I opened my first course in France with wider holes adapted for the soccer ball. And instead of the classic flag, I incorporated baskets inspired by Scandinavian countries, like in disc golf.

Today, I have my own course, with a unique concept that blends several worlds… but above all, one that breaks away from them to become a game in its own right.

What exactly is your concept?

At first, it was a mix of soccer and golf. But today, I’ve deliberately distanced myself from golf. The goal is to offer something more accessible, more fun, and more instinctive.

We play with balls or discs on an outdoor course, with simple rules. You don’t need any particular skill level or technique to get started. And above all, it’s a sport for everyone.

A sport accessible to all

Unlike certain disciplines perceived as elitist or technical, here the objective is clear: to open up the sport to as many people as possible. Kids can play, adults too, families, groups of friends… There’s no typical player profile.

Mathieu has even adapted the starting points so that everyone can find their place: children, women, adults, and retirees. It’s a way to make the experience fairer and more enjoyable for everyone.

And for the little ones, everything is designed so they can participate, even without any technique. The idea is to share a moment, not to perform.

What kind of experience do you offer at Nohô?

The idea is to take it a step further with a real academy. I offer sessions with me, the founder, in a sort of one-on-one format, for one or two people, in sessions lasting about two hours. The goal is to help people discover the sport, whether it’s with the ball or the discs.

I want it to remain accessible. We’re on a 4-hectare outdoor field, with even a practice area where you can train or try it out for free. People can test it out, have fun, and then decide to take the course.

A passion to share, simply

On Nohô, every passion can become an experience to enjoy. Mathieu’s story is a perfect example: a personal idea transformed into a shared playground. Here, you don’t need to be athletic or an expert. Just the desire to try something new, have fun, and share a unique moment.

Because deep down, whether it’s with a ball, a disc, or a slightly crazy idea… passion often begins where we dare to try.