Golf clubs around Wales are gearing up to help beginners and lapsed players find golfing homes through free taster sessions and low cost, fun, group lessons in April and throughout the summer.
The New2Golf and Back2Golf schemes are run by Golf Development Wales and supported by the R&A, with more than 50 clubs registered across Wales and more clubs joining in each week, offering excellent deals to encourage and support people to take up a sport for life.
It also includes National Golf Month which will be running in May, with a substantial national advertising campaign, supported by golf clubs, driving ranges and PGA professionals who will be offering unique and special deals.
These all include clubs offering special deals for beginners, women, girls, juniors and, for the first time, 10 clubs around Wales are offering opportunities for people with a disability to work with fully trained club professionals.
“The two schemes emphasise the health benefits of golf, for example people can burn off around 1,500 calories per round,” explained Golf Union of Wales development director Hannah Fitzpatrick.
“They focus on recruiting new people to the sport, promoting golf as an inclusive sport and providing opportunities to anyone wanting to try the game and potentially take up a sport for life.
“Golf Development Wales is helping to fund the club schemes through April and the summer. Every participant will also become a Golf Development Wales New2Golf member which gives added benefits to ease the transition to club membership.
“We are delighted with the wide range of opportunities wherever you are in Wales, while of course these schemes are helpful for clubs in attracting members which is vital in the current economic climate.
“Golf is a fantastic way of meeting and bringing people together whatever your age, background or ability – a perfect combination of fun, fitness and fresh air with friends and family.”
For example, golfers in North Wales can enjoy a free taster session at Conwy with low cost continuation lessons, trial membership and much more, similar deals are on offer at Clays in Wrexham, Flint, Nefyn, Ruthin Pwllglas or free beginner sessions for women and girls with ongoing deals at Rhuddlan Golf Club, plus many more.
Anyone interested in giving golf a go in West Wales can go to free taster sessions at clubs such as Aberdovey, Glyn Abbey, Gower, South Pembs and many more.
South Wales clubs offering special deals to encourage people to take up golf include Celtic Manor, Whitchurch, Southerndown, Radyr, Radyr, Rhondda, Newport, Llanwern and many more.
For full details, including a map of Wales showing the clubs involved to help find the best deals in your area, visit the new Golf Development Wales website and click on the New2Golf/ Golf Awareness Month button at the top of the page www.golfdevelopmentwales.org