The six-hole team format for juniors ‘GolfSixes League’ has been hailed as a ‘game changer’ by the Golf Foundation in attracting new young players and families, with high numbers signing up as club junior members in 2019.
Last year, GolfSixes League was played by more than 2,670 boys and girls from 233 golf clubs across 52 junior leagues, seeing an increase in junior membership of 49% in clubs taking part in England (at 161 clubs) and a 35% increase across England, Scotland and Wales. It was also trialled in Ireland for the first time.
Golf Foundation monitoring found that 59% of parents volunteered to help at league fixtures (38% of which were non-golfers); 88% of family members thought the format was ‘fun’ and more than 80% would like to play more golf. While 28% of all players were girls, the Golf Foundation team is eager to improve this percentage going forward.
Brendon Pyle, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “With the help of Sports Marketing Surveys Inc providing insight into what makes a great experience for juniors and their families at a golf club, GolfSixes League was designed to help more budding golfers involved in PGA coaching schemes to engage with both the sport and the golf club, and continue as regular golfers.
“We are delighted with the membership figures and the strong interest from non-golfing families. The average income from food and beverage at a GolfSixes League fixture has been £300, a strong indicator of the wider impact of the initiative on the golf club.
“All our feedback suggests that GolfSixes League now offers a real opportunity to help change the perceptions of golf among the wider public, which is priceless for the sport and a possible game changer.”
Looking forward, thanks to substantial investment from the R&A, the endorsement of the European Tour, and operational support from the four Home Nations, it is anticipated that when returning to play golf is possible again once the Coronavirus restrictions are lifted, there will be a scheduled 98 GolfSixes Leagues across four nations, featuring 484 golf clubs (smaller trials will also be held in new areas) and 6,600 youngsters are expected to take part.
GolfSixes League means squads of 12 boys and girls practising together with their PGA coaches before the weekend matches against other clubs, all played wearing coloured team shirts. The Foundation recognises the coaching build-up and togetherness has appealed to children and parents who experience this in football, rugby and hockey teams, but less so at golf clubs. The Texas Scramble element of the play unites all abilities within the same team.
The initiative was first activated with the support of Sport England and matches take place predominantly at HSBC Golf Roots Centres, junior-friendly golf clubs supported by the Golf Foundation. Every child taking part receives three golf balls from Titleist, which is a key supporter of the charity.
Brendon Pyle added: “We have been further buoyed by the very generous support of The R&A, this charity’s strongest supporter, and the endorsement of our friends at the European Tour. Both organisations clearly recognise the potential of GolfSixes League as we work alongside England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and the Confederation of Golf in Ireland.”
The ‘Impact Report’ for the 2019 GolfSixes season can be seen online at https://bit.ly/3bpzt8M.
