BEGINNERS COACHING INITIATIVE SHOWS POSITIVE RESULTS
In 2000 the English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies’
Golf Association (ELGA) introduced a scheme providing funding
to golf clubs who offered free golf coaching sessions with
the aim introducing more players to the game of golf. Initially
this incorporated advertising support and now offers a full
grant of £200.
Since that year over 500 clubs have participated in the scheme
and over 15,000 would-be golfers have been able to experience
a new sport. This positive support for the scheme has now
received more credibility as research, which has been underway
since 2004, shows that many of those who participated in these
free introductory lessons are still actively playing golf.
In 2004 an online tracking survey was created to assess the
long term participation trends of those beginners and has
been completed by participants after six, twelve and eighteen
months to date. The results are very positive.
After 18 months 46% of those who responded to the survey
are still playing golf, the majority being in the 41 years
and above age groups. Over time it appears that once hooked
their participation becomes more serious with the percentage
involved in practice activities such as visiting a driving
range and booking lessons decreases, whereas the percentage
that join a golf club increases steadily from 23% to 29%.
In relation to what encourages people to join a golf club,
the reasons seem to differ. Initially it appears that cost
plays a major role with new golfers, those who responded six
months after their initial session, being attracted by clubs
who did not charge a joining fee, 64%, or special membership
offers and discounts, 49%. After 18 months, cost is much less
of an issue with 60% of respondents stating that their higher
level of ability would now encourage them to join a facility.
Respondents who stated they were no longer involved in the
game specified both general costs and time constraints as
the main reason for not continuing.
Richard Flint, Development Manager for the EGU commented,
“ We will continue with the research which tracks the
development of new golfers as it provide valuable information
as to how we can further develop existing an new initiatives
to bring get more people playing the game.”
Further information on the Free Golf Coaching initiative
can be found at the EGU website www.englishgolfunion.org.
The Free Golf Coaching funding is an initiative jointly provided
by the EGU and ELGA via the England Golf Partnership’s
‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf.
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