BBC news journalist and presenter Naga Munchetty is a fair-weather golfer, but has been encouraging golfers to make the most of their club pro this winter.
BBC news journalist and presenter Naga Munchetty is a fair-weather golfer, but she has been playing, and this has led her to encourage more engagement between golfers and their club pro.
Happy New Year! I’m still saying that to golf buddies who I’m seeing for the first time in 2017 because I’ve only just played my first round of golf this year.
I didn’t play too badly when I tentatively ventured back on the course, so I was easily persuaded to go out the next day to play another 9 holes. It would have been 18, but the rain arrived - did I mention that I am firmly a fair-weather golfer at the moment?
I was delighted to see a group of junior beginners at the driving range, being told by our club pro that every shot was good. Shanks, duffs and blatant misses were being encouraged, as it was simply good enough that they were having a go and trying to be better. It gave me the kick to concentrate on honing my rusty swing, which it turns out, hasn’t completely deserted me.
It also made me realise just how much we should value our club pro, especially at this time of year. I will endeavour to go to the driving range when the weather is too nasty to be out on the course (or the course is closed). I’m going to take lessons again, to make sure that my pro is supported, but also to make sure that I use this time of year productively. I don’t want to be spending hours on the range when the sun is out.
Our club pros are pushing hard with marketing and rightly so. I often see emails suggesting I pop over to the range to join a free swing clinic, or to pass on group sessions for ladies. Whatever the session, if you can benefit from it without too much hassle, why not take advantage?
I can’t believe it is easy trying to “sell” golf tuition to people at the best of times, but when golfers (like me) are hibernating indoors, it must be even trickier to get us out to practise and commit to our hobby. That’s the job, I accept that, but if we want to increase membership at our clubs, help keep our subscriptions down and make sure that we have a good variety of people to play with all year, then we need to support our pros and let them know that we have their backs.
If my club pro appears to be actively drumming up business - I am a willing customer, just be there and show me you care - I’ll return the love, I promise!
This is an extract from the latest Women & Golf magazine, out February 10. Never miss an issue, SUBSCRIBE HERE to Women & Golf.
