The Summer of Golf gets underway in Warwickshire today with the launch of a scheme to take the sport out of its traditional setting and make it more accessible than ever.
Families and other would-be players will be offered free weekly coaching throughout the summer at pitch and putt courses in Harborne, Solihull and Coventry.
A loyalty scheme to encourage people to play more often will offer benefits such as individual lessons, driving range balls and green fees at local clubs.
The Summer of Golf is part of an England Golf project to attract more people to the game, which offers fun in the fresh air and can be played by those of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
PGA professional Jason Powell will be offering free coaching until September at:
- • Harborne Church Farm Golf Centre, Birmingham, on Saturdays from 2.30-3.30pm and 4-5pm.
- • Tudor Grange Pitch and Putt in Solihull on Wednesdays between 1.30-2.30pm, 4.30-5.30pm and 6-7pm
- • War Memorial Park Pitch and Putt in Coventry on Tuesdays from 1.30-2.30pm, 4.30-5.30pm and 6-7pm
Jason will also guide new players around the courses and there will be the opportunity to sign up for the Play and Reward card. Nine local clubs are offering loyalty benefits: Hatchford Brook, Robin Hood, Widney Manor, Coventry Hearsall, The Warwickshire, Brandon Woods, Stonebridge, Harborne Church Farm, and Edgbaston.
Newcomers to golf and returners to the game are all welcome. Sessions will be relaxed and friendly and equipment will be provided. All players need to do is turn up in comfortable clothing and flat shoes – trainers are ideal. They’ll also receive information about beginner Get into golf courses which are available across Warwickshire from just £25 for five-weeks. They’re the perfect way to have fun, meet new people and learn the basics of the game from a PGA professional.
The scheme is being run in collaboration with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Coventry City Council and Mytime Active, operators of Harborne Church Farm. Marg Mayne, Chief Executive of Mytime Active said: “We want and welcome people of all ages to come and try out golf in a relaxed and fun way with no strings attached.”
It is hoped to extend the awareness and availability of golf into thousands of households as part of an England Golf project which is trialling innovative ways of increasing golf club membership and participation.
“We want to let more people know that golf really is great fun and easier to access than many realise, as well as challenge any existing barriers to the sport,” said chief executive David Joy.
“This exciting project will allow us to address some existing challenges, try some new approaches, test new ideas and share good practice. We hope that working intensively to grow golf via these pilot schemes will yield vital information that we can then apply nationwide,” he added.
PGA professional Jason has 27 years’ experience and has just returned to the UK after working on a project to grow the game in China. “It was a great experience working abroad with the largest golf club in the world, but now I’m looking forward to passing on my knowledge and experience to help grow the game, here in Warwickshire.” he said.
Get into golf http://www.getintogolf.org/
England Golf http://www.englandgolf.org
View more stories about ‘Growing The Game’ and latest list of Most-read stories