Golf Access are looking to help grow women and family golf in Devon and beyond
DevonGolf has launched an industry-leading project with the Golf Access initiative to introduce more women and families into the game.
The campaign aims to encourage over 500 new women, girls and families into golf in 2022 at the participating golf clubs through a series of on-course sessions and events at each venue involved.
Female golfers currently make up around 15% of the golf membership in England and women and family golf has been identified as the biggest growth opportunity for the game.
The project will adopt a number of strategies to offer a first-class experience to ensure that all participants have a fun and engaging experience during each session.
Barriers to golf preventing beginners to start their golfing journey will be eliminated, with equipment provided and forgoing dress codes for the initial sessions.
The clubs will recruit a number of female volunteers and mentors who will support the planning and delivery of these Golf Access sessions. They will be involved with the GA programme assisting the new golfers around the course and offering advice and guidance for the new players.
The on-course sessions will implement the popular Golf Access system, which offers a unique colour-coded scoring system for golfers to progress through.
Golf Access is played from a forward tee on each hole, and there are nine levels in the Golf Access program that takes a new golfer from their first experience on a golf course to a standard of play that can allow them to achieve a handicap and join as a member of the golf club.
Golf Access has helped partner clubs to gain 2,000 new members in the last 4 years.
Open to all golf clubs in Devon
All golf clubs in Devon are welcome to be part of this project and DevonGolf are supporting the first twelve clubs who sign up, with a contribution to the costs involved in taking part in the campaign.
Simon Wood, Director of Golf Access said:
“Golf Access is delighted to be working in with DevonGolf to drive more women, girls and families into golf. Golf is such a great game for men, women and juniors and there is such an opportunity for women and families to enjoy all aspects of golf, whether you are 4 or 94.
“Our programme allows new players to learn the game on the golf course with the unique colour coded scoring system providing new players with not only a fantastic and enjoyable experience, but also rewards a player for every level they attain through a coordinated journey.
“We are looking forward to working with the affiliated golf clubs and recognised short game facilities in Devon to encouraging hundreds of new players to become regular golfers.”
Paul Cloke, Operations Manager for DevonGolf said:
“DevonGolf are delighted to provide this opportunity to our golf facilities in the county and help grow an underrepresented area of the game.
"Golf Access and its achievements to date cannot be ignored and we thought this was the perfect time to support clubs with this wonderful system.”
The Golf Access project extends beyond Devon, so any other golf clubs in other counties and countries are able to get involved. Email Simon Wood [email protected] for more details.
About Golf Access
Golf Access is an established and successful recruitment and retention programme that is designed to attract and increase the number of new golfers, supporting them to become regular players and members.
The programme supports new golfers through nine different levels that reward and recognise their progress at every step.
The colour-coded scoring system helps players move from a complete beginner through to a level where they are confident and competent enough to play on the full course off standard tees integrating into a club membership environment.
Golf Access offers an exciting pathway that is extremely popular with juniors, adults, and families.