The English Golf Union Limited (EGU) and the English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA) have seen the fastest ever response from golf clubs in applying to receive funding for Free Golf Coaching taster sessions.
In just two months over 200 clubs have signed up to receive the £200 grant which is offered to affiliated golf clubs by the EGU and ELGA to help attract new golfers and members. As well as the funding itself the EGU and ELGA actively promote the free taster sessions at local and national level through press releases and via the EGU and ELGA websites. Posters are also provided for display at the golf club and in local facilities.
2006 looks like breaking last year’s record when over 5,000 beginners took advantage of the taster sessions that were held at more than 190 clubs around England. Research following the taster sessions identified that over 75% of participants who responded had continued to play golf after their free taster session. The majority had either played rounds of golf or visited a driving range, with 37% booking further golf lesions and 12% joining golf clubs.
The free taster sessions are aimed at adults as well as juniors and in 2005 over 30% of participants were under 18.
The EGU’s Richard Flint said, “We are absolutely delighted with the response from clubs for Free Golf Coaching funding. Previous year’s figures show that thousands of people have been introduced to the game of golf and club membership as a result of the taster sessions and we look forward to reaching record levels in 2006.”
To view a full list of participating clubs visit the Get into Golf website at www.getintogolf.org or the EGU website at www.englishgolfunion.org.
The Free Golf Coaching funding is an initiative jointly provided by the EGU and ELGA via the England Golf Partnership’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf.
Record-breaking response
