FREE GOLF COACHING PROVES A SUCCESS FOR START AND STAY
The “Free Golf Coaching” campaign run by the
English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies’ Golf Association
(ELGA) is proving a great success in introducing new players
to golf and keeping them in the game, according to the latest
research.
The campaign introduces thousands of beginners to golf each
year – in 2006 over 7,600 people took part - and they
are invited to take part in online research six, 12, 18 and
24 months after their initial taster session.
The results show that 18 months after their introduction
to the sport through Free Golf Coaching, 67 per cent of respondents
are still playing golf. Of those, 84 per cent are visiting
driving ranges and 45 per cent are actively booking golf lessons.
Beginners’ confidence to play a round of golf seems
to increase with time. The number getting on to the course
increases slightly from 66 per cent after six months, to 68
per cent after 18 months.
The campaign also represents an excellent recruitment tool
for golf club membership with 32 per cent of respondents joining
a club within 12 months of their initial taster session. Results
also show that the likelihood that beginners will graduate
to full club membership increases considerably from 12 per
cent, six months after their session, to 55 per cent after
18 months.
Financial incentives to join a club, such as ‘No joining
fee’ or ‘Special membership offers/discounts’
are highlighted as real inducements for anyone considering
joining a golf club as cost appears to be the main barrier
to becoming a club member. 60 per cent stated that club membership
is unlikely to be their next step as it is ‘too expensive’.
The research also highlights that those no longer participating
in golf specify ‘time constraints’ as a major
factor for them not doing so.
The EGU/ELGA research will continue to monitor Free Golf
Coaching participants and more detailed information from the
18 and 24 months surveys will be available in 2008.
Any EGU or ELGA affiliated golf club can take part in the
Free Golf Coaching for Beginners campaign. They will receive
a £200 grant to run a series of sessions, which are
delivered by PGA professionals, to help introduce beginners
to the sport and to provide a small taste of the golf club
environment. To view which golf clubs are participating in
2007 visit www.getintogolf.org.
Free Golf Coaching for Beginners is an initiative jointly
provided by the EGU and ELGA via England Golf’s ‘Whole
Sport Plan’ for golf and is an integral part of England
Golf’s vision to ‘Grow the Game’.
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