Wales Golf have used today’s International Women’s Day to launch their #New2Golf #Back2Golf female campaigns for 2019, highlighting the appeal of the sport for women and girls. Placing emphasis on the opportunity for social networking and the fun, accessible side to golf, women and girls are being encouraged along to their local golf clubs for beginner sessions.
With females making up only 14% of club membership in Wales and women, girls and families therefore identified as key areas of growth potential, the national governing body is keen to inspire new and lapsed players into golf.
After Conwy Golf Club was recently announced as the first golf club in the UK to sign up to The R&A’s new Women in Golf Charter – an initiative which aims to increase the number of women and girls participating and working in golf – more Welsh clubs are encouraged to attract women and girls into their clubhouses and onto their fairways in 2019.
Wales Golf hope to build on last year’s campaign successes, with a 14% increase in the number of #New2Golf participants in 2018/19 (1,759) and 56% of them female. Record numbers have since converted to membership, at 58% to date.
Hannah McAllister, Director of Golf Development – Wales Golf, said: “International Women’s Day offers a timely opportunity to launch our #New2Golf #Back2Golf campaigns for women and girls.
“It is a day to celebrate females at all levels and highlight to women and girls in Wales how appealing golf is, particularly from the social aspect and having fun with friends and family.
“One of Wales’ Golf main aims is to drive more women and girls into clubs, so we are encouraging players along to beginner sessions taking place at clubs across the country. Given 56% of our #New2Golf participants last year were female, it just shows how attractive and inclusive the sport is for women and girls.”
Using eye-catching social media and poster messaging, women and girls are encouraged to utilise their local golf club to catch up with friends and meet new people in a relaxed way, eat and drink in the clubhouse, while enjoying the low-cost group fun lessons.
McAllister added: “We are excited with the fresh look of our #New2Golf #Back2Golf promotional resources in 2019.
“Our bright, vibrant posters and digital assets place an emphasis on the social side of the sport and we hope they can help encourage females to head for their local golf club. Beginner coaching sessions are delivered in a safe and welcoming environment and are great fun!”
For all club beginner sessions, women and girls can simply wear comfortable clothing and all equipment is provided.
Promotional resources, aided by support from The R&A, are available for clubs to use free of charge to promote beginner sessions. These are available in a hard copy format as well as an editable email version which can be downloaded. These are also available in Welsh.
McAllister continued: “Clubs across Wales continue to promote excellent initiatives to allow people to take up and remain in the sport.
“Many clubs across Wales are now offering flexible memberships, 9-hole golf opportunities, modern driving range facilities and a warm and welcoming clubhouse, especially for women, girls and families.”
To find a club near you involved in #New2Golf #Back2Golf please visit the link below. Participating clubs will be added throughout the year.
http://www.walesgolf.org/find-beginners-session-2/
Wales Golf http://www.walesgolf.org/