This week marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of The Drift Golf Club’s ‘Ladies Give Golf a Go’ programme, an initiative designed to introduce more women to the game that has proved a swinging success at the Surrey venue.
Launched in January last year, the programme was born out of a shared vision between Sam Quirke (Head of Performance), Tom Parrish (General Manager), and Tom Agnew (Director of Golf) to fill a gap in the local coaching market and offer a friendly and supportive space for female golfers at the club.
The programme’s foundation consisted of four weeks of free coaching, followed by ongoing lessons. The first session, held on January 12, welcomed a full class of 10 women, all of whom attended every week, with 95% continuing to participate throughout the programme. By April, the programme expanded to include additional classes, and by the end of 2024, a total of 212 women had taken part.
A key component of Give Golf a Go’s success has been the social and inclusive atmosphere created by the coaching team. Their approach not only focused on skill development, but also ensured that every participant felt comfortable and welcomed. The offering of a free hot drink on arrival helped to break the ice and foster connections among the participants.
In addition to the coaching team’s efforts, the support from The Drift’s Ladies Section has been vital to the initiative’s growth. The involvement of lady captains who attended summer roll-up classes and invited new golfers to club events, created a sense of belonging. The Ladies Club Day and Christmas Lunch were particularly well received, with 36 golfers from the program attending across both events.
The success of GGAG has led to the reimagining of The Drift’s Ladies Academy. The Academy now operates on a more flexible model, offering Level 1 and Level 2 coaching sessions across a weekly calendar. There are currently 60 women who have signed up.
The Drift plans to introduce new GGAG sessions in the coming months, including mixed classes. With 14 new golfers already signed up to begin their journey in January, the future looks bright for the initiative.
To support new golfers, the club’s coaching team have also created helpful videos covering the basic rules of golf, which can be accessed on the club’s website. These resources aim to build confidence before stepping onto the course and provide ongoing guidance for newcomers.