5,000 NEW GOLFERS INTRODUCED TO THE GAME BY THE EGU &
ELGA
The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies Golf Association’s
(ELGA) Free Golf Coaching campaign has introduced over 5,000
new players to the game of golf this year, benefiting golf
clubs nationwide. Almost 200 affiliated golf clubs held free
taster sessions for beginners of any age, gender or background
and a mobile golf unit visited 7 city centre locations.
Following the free taster sessions, participating golf clubs
have reported more lesson sales, increased green fee income
and wider promotion within the local community. A significant
number also highlighted the opportunities the campaign has
provided for recruiting new members - indeed many have already
been successful in filling vacancies.
To establish the success of the campaign the EGU and ELGA
have collated feedback from both the golf clubs and the participants.
One of the key findings of the surveys, taken during the 4
to 8 week period after the free lesson, was that 75% of participants
have continued their involvement in the game. Of those, 74%
have visited a driving range, 36% have booked further golf
lessons, 54% have played a round/s of golf and 10% have joined
a golf club.
As part of ongoing research the EGU and ELGA have recently
established a long term tracking system to assess whether
those taking part in the Free Golfing Campaign remain involved
in playing the game. Participants will be regularly questioned
between 3 months and 2 years after their first taster session.
Initial feedback from the first 3-month survey showed encouraging
results in terms of retention - 76% have continued participating
in golf and 22% have now joined a golf club.
Plans are already in place to replicate this year’s
success in 2005. Application forms will be issued to all affiliated
golf clubs in December to allow them to apply for £200
grant aid for the 2005 Free Golf Coaching campaign.
Richard Flint, EGU Golf Development Manager commented: “The
EGU and ELGA are delighted with the popularity of the Free
Golf Coaching campaign and its obvious benefit to golf clubs.
The figures show that thousands of people have been introduced
to golf and club membership through the campaign and we hope
to build on this to create even more opportunities next year.”
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