Anyone who wants to give golf a go is being offered extra help under a new scheme being run through Welsh clubs by Golf Development Wales.
New2Golf offers 50% off a lesson, six lessons for the price of five plus a friend or family lesson voucher, help with insurance and guidance with rules and etiquette – all for just £5 for adults and £2.50 for juniors.
It is a membership scheme offering value to help inspire beginners to take up golf, aimed at encouraging them to become a member of their local golf facility. The New2Golf scheme is open to both adults and juniors.
Golf clubs in Wales are being encouraged to jump on the bandwagon in offering the scheme which helped one Welsh club attract more than 50 new members last year. Clubs can apply for a beginner scheme grant to run taster days, group lessons and trail membership.
To apply for beginner scheme funding please contact the GDW office on 01633 436040 or email Sian.Simmons@golfunionwales.org . Signing up for the scheme will get new participants a professionally designed information pack that represents outstanding value for money.
Clubs getting involved will become part of a national marketing campaign through the New2Golf initiative and be listed on the Golf Development Wales website.
They will benefit through access to potential members, the chance to market facilities, help new members with etiquette and rules of golf, professionally designed resources to attract new members and the opportunity to marker to a wider audience through the friends and family voucher.
“We know this scheme works for both people who are interested in taking up golf as a sport for life and clubs who are looking to attract new people to the game and the benefits of being a club member,” said Dan Farmer of Golf Development Wales.
“For example last year Radyr golf club in Cardiff attracted 51 new members through New2Golf and Golf Awareness Month which will be running in April.
“They ran coaching in schools, a family fun day, beginner lessons that were funded by Golf Development Wales and trial membership. All that has resulted in 51 new members who are now hooked on golf.
“That means 51 people who are enjoying playing golf and the benefits of club membership, while the club is obviously maintaining numbers in these difficult economic times.”
Anyone interested needs to complete the registration form available through a flyer at clubs or Golf Development Wales website and ensure they include the right e-mail address.
Clubs that want to qualify as a New2Golf Centre must ensure their golf professional is willing to accept the vouchers and provide discounts in relation to lessons, as well as running a taster day or lesson.
New2Golf membership packs will then be sent to the clubs and distributed through the lessons.