Register your interest for a pioneering new programme being rolled out across Home Nations to create a more diverse workforce in golf.
The Community Golf Instructor programme has been set up to create a dedicated and diverse workforce to help grow the game in communities across the British Isles, with the focus of getting golf into schools, communities and beginner activity into golf clubs and activities.
Working in partnership with The Golf Foundation, the endorsement of The PGA, and the full backing and financial support of The R&A, the Home Nations have piloted training at Beeston Fields, Nottinghamshire, Celtic Manor (Wales), Carlton House (Ireland) and Emirates Arena (Scotland).
Once trained, instructors will be able to lead beginner and introductory activity independently, working in a paid or voluntary capacity, without it affecting their amateur status as a golfer.
The course will combine online and face-to-face learning, focusing on developing Community Golf Instructors who take a person-centred approach and can create a relaxed, sociable environment for golf activity.
After extensive research and thorough piloting of the programme over the past year, governing bodies across GB&I are ready to launch the award for the 2024 season and are asking people to register their interest now.
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, commented:
“We look forward to people registering their interest to become Community Golf Instructors for the training programme. This initiative will develop a larger workforce in Great Britain and Ireland that is able to work in local communities and encourage more people of all backgrounds to get into our sport, building on the excellent work PGA members perform.
“Golf has enjoyed a surge in participation in recent years and we must keep working hard to continue the momentum so people of all ages and backgrounds from across different areas of society can come into the sport in an accessible way.”
England Golf
England Golf Volunteer & Workforce Manager, Matt Bloor, said: “The piloting took place in different environments, including indoors at the Emirates Arena. It has allowed us to test and evaluate content, enabling us to make improvements which will help create confident and capable instructors.
“By inviting a range of stakeholders, we have developed relationships with organisations outside of golf, who will help to diversify the golfing workforce.”
England Golf Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Tomlinson, added: “We want to inspire and educate people, especially children, to recognise the benefits that golf provides. The Community Golf Instructor programme is a crucial new initiative that we believe, through the delivery of fun and engaging activity, will enable us to grow the game and bring people from all walks of life into golf.
“Instructors don’t need to be fantastic golfers, the programme is aimed at people with a passion for the sport and who want to inspire people to get into the game. After all, golf is a game for everyone, and by driving a more diverse and inclusive workforce, we hope to make the game more appealable to new audiences of all ages and backgrounds.”
Register your interest with England Golf
Golf Ireland
Golf Ireland CEO, Mark Kennelly said: “We are excited about the potential of the Community Golf Instructor programme and how it can help to grow the game. We are not just seeking experienced golfers but those who want to inspire future generations.
“This initiative is about making golf accessible for all and that is at the heart of our strategic plan, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We are dedicated to sustaining golf's growing appeal and ensuring it is available to everyone.”
Register your interest with Golf Ireland
Scottish Golf
As an accredited CGI, you will be able to independently lead the delivery of game-based activity sessions and will gain full access to Scottish Golf’s Learn to Golf Programme and accompanying resources to deliver an exciting, progressive session plan to participants.
Scottish Golf Pathway Development Manager, Ali Bell said:
“The piloting of the CGI award has been very comprehensive. It has allowed us to test and evaluate content in varying environments, enabling us to make improvements which will help create confident and capable instructors.
“The CGI is a great initiative where we now have the unique opportunity to develop relationships with local authority partners and organisations outside golf, who will help to diversify the golfing workforce and introduce golf to a new audience.
“In Scotland, 50% of clubs do not have a resident PGA Pro so we are hoping that Community Golf Instructors can help fill this gap and allow more people to get involved in the game.”
Register your interest with Scottish Golf
Wales Golf
Wales Golf Club Development and Community Manager Theo Baker said: “The piloting took place in different environments, including indoors. It has allowed us to test and evaluate content, enabling us to make improvements which will help create confident and capable instructors.
“By inviting a range of stakeholders, we have developed relationships with organisations outside of golf, who will help to diversify the golfing workforce.”
Wales Golf CEO Hannah McAllister added: “Implementing Community Golf Instructors across Wales to help increase accessibility to the game is an exciting prospect for golf within the country. These instructors and the programme itself alongside our own New2Golf beginner schemes help ensure that our goal of extensive participation across our communities is well covered.”
“Golf in Wales is Everyone’s Game. For Fun, For Sport, For Life and we hope that the new Community Golf Instructors will help us achieve our long-term vision”
