Girls Golf Rocks is back for 2019 – with free taster sessions for girls now on offer in 26 counties. Bookings have just opened for the two-hour tasters, which will start in May and are running in a total of 116 clubs across England. Visit girlsgolfrocks.org to find a session and book.
Girls Golf Rocks is an inspirational programme which attracts girls to the sport, supported by club and county girl ambassadors who act as mentors as they learn to play.
Five new counties are involved in this year’s recruitment campaign: Cornwall, Hampshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Worcestershire.
They are joining Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Dorset, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Kent, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Northumberland, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Sussex, Surrey, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Yorkshire.
Girls who enjoy the taster sessions can book on to a six-week coaching course for only £35. The price includes a US Kids 9-iron, and Girls Golf Rocks items including a polo shirt, goodie bag and water bottle.
Last year Girls Golf Rocks attracted 1600 girls to taster sessions, with 1200 going on to take coaching. This year, it’s hoped the numbers will be even higher.
All coaching will be provided by a PGA Professional and on the sixth week of the course the girls will put their skills into action out on the golf course. The newcomers will be supported by girls from their county and club who have been recruited and trained as ambassadors to inspire and encourage the new players.
Clubs and the women’s county associations are also being asked to hold fun beginner events for the girls over the summer. These are intended to keep the girls playing and to get them out on the course, enjoying themselves with friends.
Girls Golf Rocks is a joint programme run by England Golf and junior golf charity the Golf Foundation, with the support of county associations, clubs, coaches and volunteers. It aims to increase the number of girl players from an average of just two per club.
Lauren Spray, England Golf Women and Girls’ Manager, commented: “We’ve had amazing success with Girls Golf Rocks and we’re looking forward to doing even better this year. This is a great way for girls to come along and try golf, make new friends and have fun. It really rocks!”
Martin Crowder, Head of Development for the Golf Foundation, said: “Girls Golf Rocks has become a wonderful model for welcoming young girls to the sport and opening their eyes to their potential as they start to express themselves in the coaching sessions and play. The Girls Golf Rocks ambassadors are crucial as they are able to demonstrate that golf can be a cool, sociable, healthy and athletic sport that new players can enjoy together in a great group atmosphere.”
For more information visit girlsgolfrocks.org or follow the campaign on Twitter @GirlsGolfRocks1 or on Facebook.com/GirlsGolfRocks. Please note all bookings and payments must be made through the website, not the host clubs.
England Golf www.englandgolf.org