The number of clubs offering free golf taster sessions has seen a dramatic rise compared to last year said the English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA) today.
There are almost 50% more clubs offering the free taster sessions compared to this time last year. The first four months of 2007 already show a 6% increase when compared to the full twelve months of 2006 and the numbers are continuing to rise on a daily basis.
The EGU and ELGA provide a grant of £200 to clubs to run a series of sessions for beginners, all of which are provided by qualified PGA Professionals, to help introduce them to the game of golf and also to provide a small taste of the golf club environment.
The excellent response from clubs may be down to the positive feedback from the survey carried out on those who participated in the 2006 taster sessions. The results of the survey showed that 80% of those who attended a taster session continued to play more golf in some form, with 70% having visited a driving range, 43% booking further lessons and 14% taking up golf club membership.
This year the EGU and ELGA are encouraging golf clubs to assess whether there are specific sections of their membership that need a boost and, as a result, many clubs are offering a variety of sessions that focus on the recruitment of women, girls and families.
To view which golf clubs are participating in 2007, see www.getintogolf.org .
For further information on EGU/ELGA Free Golf Coaching and to read reviews from those golf clubs that participated in 2006 visit www.englishgolfunion.org and click on ‘For Golf Clubs’.
Funding is also available from the EGU/ELGA to support a club’s junior coaching programme.
The Free Golf Coaching and Junior Golf Coaching grants are initiatives jointly provided by the EGU and ELGA via England Golf’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf and are an integral part of England Golf’s vision to ‘Grow the Game’.
Contact:
Lynne Fraser, EGU Marketing and PR Manager
Email: lfraser@englishgolfunion.org
Tel: 01526 354500
Lyndsey Hewison, English Ladies’ Golf Association Press Officer
Email: lyndsey.hewison@tiscali.co.uk
Tel: 01603 507416
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