Wales Golf and Parc Golf Club opened up the Short Game Academy and golf range at the club between Cardiff and Newport between 11.30 and 1am on Fridays during Ramadan, with growing numbers taking advantage of the opportunity each week.
Many of those players have been inspired to play more golf as a result, while some of the beginners have already looked to make further progress.
They have all been invited to take part in a New2Golf programme at the Parc, starting in June and building up to a 40-shot competition on the course towards the end of the summer.
There were 81 golfers in all who took part in the midnight Ramadan sessions, with 36 the first week, 52 the second and 62 on the third and final Friday, getting the chance to learn and practice with the help of professional coaches and Wales Golf staff.
Those taking part included former Ladies European Tour professional Sahra Hassan, who will now get involved in coaching through Wales Golf.
Wales Golf’s event organiser Simon Lu said, “It is important the midnight Ramadan golf was not a one off and that we use it as a way of encouraging a more diverse group into the sport-for-life through ongoing sessions.
“As a result there will be a six week New2Golf programme for the Muslim community in June for adults, and we hope to run a junior version during the summer holidays.
“Then at the end of the season there will be a 40 shot flag competition. Players plant their flag where they have reached on the course after 40 shots and we see who can get furthest.
“Everyone is still really enthusiastic about it all. I am on the WhatsApp group and there are pictures being posted every other day of someone or a group on various new courses around Wales.
“They are playing much more golf now and for some of them that is purely on the back of the Ramadan programme. One guy has been inspired to buy his son golf clubs for Eid and he has already joined the junior programme at Parc.
“It seems our ambition of bringing a more diverse group into golf is being fulfilled, which is fantastic to be part of. It was really well received in the community and I think it is only the beginning, there are many who are really keen to come to New2Golf even though there is a £45 charge.
“Hopefully we can find the resources to make it an annual event in the month of Ramadan when it is difficult for members of the Muslim community to go to traditional sporting facilities.
“That has helped to attract people to golf and hopefully we have the infrastructure in place to build involvement and diversity in the sport from there.”
