Wales Golf launches new scheme to attract families

The body that runs amateur golf in Wales has launched a new scheme to promote golf to women, girls, families and people with disabilities.

As part of its New2Golf brand, Wales Golf has introduced ‘Tailored Golf’, which highlights how the game can be tailored to individual needs.

“This is a pick ’n’ mix opportunity for groups not as highly represented in the sport who will be given exciting incentives to give golf a go or get back into the sport again, tailoring the game to their specific needs and choices,” said spokesman Hamish Stuart.

Golf clubs across Wales will be offering free taster sessions for groups that aren’t as heavily represented currently, to expose them to the opportunities available.

Women and girls will be encouraged to go along to their local participating club to enjoy the social element of the sport while receiving the taster sessions along with low cost group fun lessons.

Recent statistics gathered from 75 per cent of golf clubs across Wales show that 20 per cent of social memberships at clubs are female, 21 per cent of short term trial memberships are female and 37 per cent of junior academy members are girls, while across the board nine-hole scores increased significantly between 2016 and 2017.

Wales Golf director of Development, Hannah McAllister, is encouraged with the shift in thinking, “Many of our clubs across Wales are being really creative with encouraging new people to the game that has so much to offer. Golf is no longer a four-hour commitment as it has been traditionally.

“There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of the game, be it nine-hole golf or just attending the driving range, it’s very flexible and can be tailored to individual requirements and is so rewarding.

“We recognise that women specifically have not been represented enough at golf clubs and progress in creating an environment that is welcoming to women, and an equal playing field for both genders, is slow, but clubs are working hard to address this and we are seeing lots of progress.

“There are more females participating in golf development activities year on year with over 50 per cent of New2Golf participants being female. What we are seeing is an increase in alternative access to the game and flexible membership options with many women taking advantage of nine-hole golf.

“Allowing that flexibility is opening up the game to a wider audience, both male and female and this Tailored Golf scheme is an ideal way to showcase the benefits of the game.”

A list of participating clubs and what they currently offer can be found here: http://www.walesgolf.org/find-a-new2golf-club/