Many of GB and Ireland’s leading golf bodies have joined forces to launch a new training programme designed to create an army of community coaches who will encourage people to take up the sport.
England Golf, Wales Golf, Scottish Golf, Golf Ireland and the R&A have partnered with the Golf Foundation and the PGA to create the scheme which will hopefully deliver a boom in introductory group golf sessions. It will be piloted this year before being rolled out across Great Britain & Ireland in 2024.
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said: “We are delighted to work with the Home National Associations, the Golf Foundation and the PGA on the introduction of this new programme which will build on the excellent work PGA members perform across Great Britain and Ireland.
“We need to make golf more accessible and attract more people of all ages and backgrounds from across different areas of society into the sport.
“This initiative will develop a larger, more diverse workforce in Great Britain and Ireland that is able to work in local communities and as part of national programmes. In doing so, we will encourage more people into golf at all levels and help ensure the sport continues to thrive.”
The training course will be a mix of online and face-to-face learning, focusing on developing Community Golf Instructors (CGIs) who can create a relaxed and sociable environment for golf activity.
Once trained, CGIs can be paid for their work across defined programmes and initiatives, including delivery in schools, which will be a key focus.
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The governing bodies across GB&I are confident that perceptions of the game can be enhanced, as people recognise it can be a sport for everyone.
England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson, said: “In creating this training programme based predominantly on delivering fun inclusive games-based sessions, in a format and at a cost accessible to all, we feel will be game changing for golf within GB&I.
“Dramatically increasing the provision of golf in schools and local communities is just one of the great ways to inspire young people and their families to try golf and become golfers.”
Golf currently benefits from a PGA Coaching network, which continues to develop golfers from grass roots to the elite level across GB&I. The Community Golf Instructors will complement the existing work of the PGA as well as building on the previously implemented Club Activator Course, by increasing access to beginner and introductory golf activity.