Golf Development Wales has launched its fresh look 2016 New2Golf, Back2Golf scheme today (March 8) which will see women, families and couples given exciting incentives to give-golf-a-go or get back into the sport again.
After a successful initiative that saw 1600 New2Golf members in 2015, with 55% of those being female, this year the focus is on those who may not have been exposed to the wider benefits of golf.
Women will be encouraged to go along to their local participating club with ‘the girls’ to enjoy the social element of the sport while receiving free taster sessions and low cost group fun lessons.
Encouraging Women to utilise their local golf club to catch up with friends and meet new people. Families will have the opportunity to learn golf and play a few holes all together in a relaxed environment.
They can then enjoy a family meal in the clubhouse after and couples will be incentivised to learn, play together then dine together, introducing the other half to golf in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Golf clubs around the country will be offering free taster sessions and /or low cost, fun, group lessons to give beginner or lapsed golfers the opportunity to get involved with golf. The sport provides a relaxed way of having fun with family or friends, meeting new people and keeping physically active in the fresh air, whatever your age, background or ability.
Welsh Golf professional Amy Boulden is enthusiastic about the initiative, “If women can get together with friends and like-minded females in a comfortable environment like their local golf club, wouldn’t it be fantastic if they then gave golf a go and they too could fall in love with a fantastically social game for life.
“Golf has been such an enjoyable social experience for me from the moment I picked up my first club when I was only five years old”, she added. “I’ve made some fantastic lifelong friendships that I never expected would come from the sport that I love.
“The focus on encouraging women to go to their local golf club without having to provide their own equipment is so important.
“This campaign will expose women to golf who may not have considered the game before. I’d say, go along with friends, enjoy each other’s company, have a catch up, just wear some flat shoes and give it a go.”
Back2Golf month schemes are funded by Golf Development Wales and supported by the R&A, the governing body of the sport. 2015 saw over 60 clubs run New2Golf with clubs offering excellent deals to encourage people to take up the sport for life.
Examples of some of the opportunities open to new and lapsed golfers include low cost beginner coaching, trial membership, green fee and membership offers. All of these offers are designed to introduce people to the game in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Director of Development, Golf Union of Wales, Hannah McAllister added,“Clubs across Wales will be developing some excellent initiatives to allow people to take up and remain in the sport. Golf is a very accessible sport, great value for money and sessions are delivered in a fun and engaging way”.
As part of the beginner scheme’s participants will gain aNew2Golf welcome pack, which includes vouchers for: discounted lessons, a free opportunity to bring a friend or family member to a lesson, equipment, as well as, fun introductory information plus more. The scheme welcomed over 1600 New2Golf members in 2015 with over 55% of those being female.
Although for everyone, the 2016 New2Golf Back2Golf campaign will be focused on attracting some key groups including Women and Girls. Providing an opportunity for women to take up the sport is a high priority for many clubs across Wales. Evidence released has shown that women’s golf is one of the largest growth markets and with 55% of New2Golf members being female this is certainly being proven as correct.
‘These groups have been identified as key areas of growth for the game of golf. We have seen some amazing ladies scheme’s in the past including afternoon tea, social events, hair and beauty sessions to name just a few’, said McAllister.
To learn more about the Golf Development Wales New2Golf Back2Golf benefit pack please Click HERE