As a child, I simply did not have access to golf as a sport.
Growing up in a single-parent household with three siblings meant that the luxury of a set of golf clubs or a green fee once a week was not a priority, especially when participation in other sports was far more affordable and accessible.
There were far fewer hoops to jump through in order to join my local football or rugby team, so the proposition of spending a fortune on green fees, memberships, the correct clothing, clubs, balls and footwear for us to play golf was not a particularly appealing one.
As someone who found the game of golf much later in life, I do feel disappointed to have missed out on the sport in my formative years – but the blame certainly doesn’t lie with my parents… golf is just hard to get into for many families and young people.
The cynic in me might suggest that certain areas of the sport aren’t particularly bothered about whether or not golf has an accessibility problem, as it doesn’t impact their participation and enjoyment of the game.
I have, however, after working in the golf industry for a number of years, noticed that the culture is starting to shift in the right direction – with some admirable examples blazing a trail that I hope many will follow.
Getting more juniors into golf should be high on the priority list for every club
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Leicester Golf Centre is one such example. PGA Pro Anders Mankert set up a golf club with no rules, as they strive to remove barriers to participation and welcome customers of all ages, experience levels and backgrounds to play the game of golf.
This is a model that is being adapted and implemented by facilities in other areas of the country.
I recently became aware of an interesting inclusivity policy at Whalebone Golf Club in Romford, which once again restored my faith that some organisations are challenging norms in an attempt to make the game more accessible.
First and foremost, Whalebone Golf Club adopts a ‘come as you are, play as you are’ approach that challenges outdated etiquette rules within the game by introducing a relaxed dress code.
This creates a more welcoming environment…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Latest from Golf Monthly…