Getting girls into this glorious game has often been a challenge, not because girls don’t want to play golf, but because clubs in the past have been so male dominated. Opportunities to have a go at golf were not as prevalent and overall the sport has been a hard egg to crack for women.
So how has golf started to make changes so that girls begin to own the range and really get a head start at grassroots level? It’s a more even playing field when it come to grassroots golf. Maybe even leaning in favour of the girls bench, with girls-only classes readily available and thriving.
England Golf has really encouraged girls into golf with schemes like Girls Golf Rocks (opens in new tab), where clubs sign up and run girls-only sessions, which has helped to get over 6,500 girls into the sport. The UK is, however, lagging behind, as the beacon for encouraging young girls into golf shines brightly across the pond.
The LPGA and USGA scheme has a 30-year history and Girls Golf in the USA has empowered a total of more than 500,000 girls through golf. Proof that sticking to a formula works. Their magic formula is the 5 Es: Empower, Engage, Energise, Exercise and Enrich.
I do believe that countries like the USA that offer a wide range of golf scholarships have the edge, as girls really do have a goal to aspire to, which is a stepping stone onto the tours. Compared with the traditional golf club set up in the UK, American golf clubs are more like country clubs. They encourage a whole family experience in an approachable environment, and it’s not all about the golf course. As more clubs in the UK improve their attitude towards inclusivity, we are certain to see a rise in girls golf. It’s all about breaking down barriers, we are just a bit late to the party.
So how do we encourage girls to play golf? In my experience running junior sections at clubs, the eight main principles are…
(Image credit: Katie Dawkins)
1. Keep it fun
Obvious, right? It’s important not to bog girls down with technique, but involve other sports to help them learn key moves. This will add energy into sessions and get them moving. Making golf feel as exciting and energetic as possible. Golfing birthday parties are something I’ve run for years and they are a great way to make golf a lot of fun.
2. Family
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Involve the whole family by running family friendly events with golf being just a small element. By involving the entire family means that girls are more likely…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly RSS Feed…