The English Golf Union and English Ladies Golf Association’s Free Golf Coaching campaign has introduced over 5,000 new players to the game of golf this year, benefiting golf clubs nationwide. Almost 200 affiliated golf clubs held free taster sessions for beginners of any age, gender or background and a mobile golf unit visited 7 city centre locations.
Following the free taster sessions, participating golf clubs have reported more lesson sales, increased green fee income and wider promotion within the local community. A significant number also highlighted the opportunities the campaign has provided for recruiting new members – indeed many have already been successful in filling vacancies.
To establish the success of the campaign the EGU and ELGA have collated feedback from both the golf clubs and the participants. One of the key findings of the surveys, taken during the 4 to 8 week period after the free lesson, was that 75% of participants have continued their involvement in the game. Of those, 74% have visited a driving range, 36% have booked further golf lessons, 54% have played a round/s of golf and 10% have joined a golf club.
As part of ongoing research the EGU and ELGA have recently established a long term tracking system to assess whether those taking part in the Free Golfing Campaign remain involved in playing the game. Participants will be regularly questioned between 3 months and 2 years after their first taster session. Initial feedback from the first 3-month survey showed encouraging results in terms of retention – 76% have continued participating in golf and 22% have now joined a golf club.
Plans are already in place to replicate this year’s success in 2005. Application forms will be issued to all affiliated golf clubs in December to allow them to apply for £200 grant aid for the 2005 Free Golf Coaching campaign.
Richard Flint, EGU golf development manager commented, “The EGU and ELGA are delighted with the popularity of the Free Golf Coaching campaign and its obvious benefit to golf clubs. The figures show that thousands of people have been introduced to golf and club membership through the campaign and we hope to build on this to create even more opportunities next year.”
For further information: EGU Golf Development Team Tel: 01526 354500 E-mail: development@englishgolfunion.org
EGU www.englishgolfunion.org
ELGA www.englishladiesgolf.org
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