Despite its associated image of old men in garish jumpers, the game is increasingly reaching out to all generations, including young people from less well-off backgrounds.
Most golf clubs run taster sessions for young people, although some are more expensive than others. During the sessions, young people usually receive one-to-one advice from an instructor who will teach them the basics, such as where to position their hands on the club, stroke technique and the difference between various types of golf clubs. Young people also get to practise their shots on the driving range, as well as on the putting green.
On a national level, there are a number of organisations that can help youth groups looking to get involved in the game and provide advice about possible sources of funding. These include the Golf Foundation, Sport England, Golf Development Wales and Get into Golf (see box, below).
According to Brian Davies, manager of Golf Development Wales, there are many benefits to playing. "The sport helps develop coordination as well as eye and hand movement," he says. "It also encourages personal skills because your game and score depend on honesty."
Playing golf can also help to keep young people healthy. During an average round, most players walk about four miles, helping to boost their general level of fitness and lower stress levels, as well as to increase the circulation in their body.
Youth groups shouldn't be put off by the elitist reputation of golf, either. Even some of the best known and most expensive courses such as the St Andrews Links in Scotland offer discounted rates to young players.
The Get into Golf website provides a list of local clubs which offer free coaching sessions for beginners. Councils that own municipal golf courses also tend to work closely alongside organisations such as youth groups and schools to make sure that young people in their area have a chance to try the game.
Davies believes that the elitist tag is largely undeserved. "Arguably golf isn't elitist - the game is only perceived this way because of its ancestry," he says. "A lot of the world's greatest golfers such as Tiger Woods and Ian Poulter are from ethnic or working-class backgrounds."
The sport is also a good way to teach young people about discipline as players incur penalties or even disqualification if they lose their ball, or break any of the rules.
However, if attending a golf course is a little bit daunting for your youth group, there are alternative ways to involve young people in the game, such as playing mini-golf, which is generally less expensive and easier to learn.
Mini-golf isn't only cheaper; it can also be exciting because the courses involve obstacles such as windmills, castles and wishing wells.
FIND OUT MORE
- The Golf Foundation provides advice and funding to organisations wanting to get young people involved in the sport. www.golf-foundation.org
- Sport England funds a wide range of activities in England. www.sportengland.org
- Golf Development Wales helps to broaden the participation of young people and women in the sport in Wales. www.golfdevelopmentwales.org
- Get into Golf provides information about the game and local clubs that offer free coaching sessions. www.getintogolf.org.
