The Get into Golf programme started in 2015. It aims to help increase female participation in golf which was particularly affected by the recession. It is co-ordinated by the Confederation of Golf and it provides female beginners with a way of giving the sport a try at a reduced rate as part of an eight-week programme.
Participants sign up to the eight weeks which includes four hours of tuition and four weeks on the course meeting new women and playing golf.
“It’s run through golf clubs and we would recommend that they have 20 participants in a programme,” says women and girls co-ordinator with the Confederation of Golf, and former Irish international golfer Maria Dunne.
The cost varies depending on the club. But normally it’s around €80 to €150. It’s great value
“So it would be four weeks on the course and four weeks of lessons with the pro, and they would vary the sessions between lessons and on-course activities. The cost varies depending on the club. But normally it’s around €80 to €150. It’s great value.”
Clubs offer a follow-on package for those who want to continue playing after the eight weeks of Get into Golf. The cost of membership might be just 25% of the usual fee.
It’s about getting them in, into the club, doing a bit of coaching, experience golf and meet new people
Golf clubs tend to run the programme in the months of April to June. That means that if the ladies join the club afterwards they can play up until December. For year two they will get offered a reduced rate (50%), and in year three 75%.
“It’s about getting them in, into the club, doing a bit of coaching, experience golf and meet new people. The problem is a lot of women don’t know how to join a golf club. It can be intimidating.
Some 105 clubs out of 400 used the programme in 2019. It yields a 60% conversion rate into members. In 2019, approximately 2,100 tried out the programme and 1,400 took up the year one membership. Age varies, but there are a lot of women in their 40s, 50s and 60s taking it up.
They are rocking up to try a new sport, they don’t need any equipment
The Get into Golf participants are not expected to have their own equipment. Other members of the club will loan their clubs for the new ladies to try.
“They are rocking up to try a new sport, they don’t need any equipment. If they are serious about it and take it up, they might make a purchase.”
Popular sport
Golf has seen an increase in participation in the last couple of years, says Maria.
“A lot of women are seeing it as a fun hobby to get into and this Get into Golf programme makes it more accessible. It’s a pastime, there is a social element. They see family members involved and you have the fitness aspect. Playing nine holes walking you’d definitely be getting your 10,000 steps in.”
The Confederation of Golf has a list of golf clubs for anyone interested in taking part in the programme, but the first step is to contact your local golf club and see if they are running Get into Golf.
Not every golf club will run it annually, it’s down to the members and volunteers to run it.
Go to a driving range, that’s a first. There are driving ranges everywhere. If you just want to hit balls, try it for the first time and give it a try.If you like it, get a lesson with an instructor through a golf club or a driving range. Try pitch and putt or pay and play which is minimal cost. You can play 18 holes for €20 or less. Start slow. Going out to a course with water hazards and trees on your first go is probably not the best idea. It’s like if you’re running a marathon, you build yourself up and train. You might find it tough in the first week, but each week it gets easier and easier. Read more
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The Get into Golf programme started in 2015. It aims to help increase female participation in golf which was particularly affected by the recession. It is co-ordinated by the Confederation of Golf and it provides female beginners with a way of giving the sport a try at a reduced rate as part of an eight-week programme.
Participants sign up to the eight weeks which includes four hours of tuition and four weeks on the course meeting new women and playing golf.
“It’s run through golf clubs and we would recommend that they have 20 participants in a programme,” says women and girls co-ordinator with the Confederation of Golf, and former Irish international golfer Maria Dunne.
The cost varies depending on the club. But normally it’s around €80 to €150. It’s great value
“So it would be four weeks on the course and four weeks of lessons with the pro, and they would vary the sessions between lessons and on-course activities. The cost varies depending on the club. But normally it’s around €80 to €150. It’s great value.”
Clubs offer a follow-on package for those who want to continue playing after the eight weeks of Get into Golf. The cost of membership might be just 25% of the usual fee.
It’s about getting them in, into the club, doing a bit of coaching, experience golf and meet new people
Golf clubs tend to run the programme in the months of April to June. That means that if the ladies join the club afterwards they can play up until December. For year two they will get offered a reduced rate (50%), and in year three 75%.
“It’s about getting them in, into the club, doing a bit of coaching, experience golf and meet new people. The problem is a lot of women don’t know how to join a golf club. It can be intimidating.
Some 105 clubs out of 400 used the programme in 2019. It yields a 60% conversion rate into members. In 2019, approximately 2,100 tried out the programme and 1,400 took up the year one membership. Age varies, but there are a lot of women in their 40s, 50s and 60s taking it up.
They are rocking up to try a new sport, they don’t need any equipment
The Get into Golf participants are not expected to have their own equipment. Other members of the club will loan their clubs for the new ladies to try.
“They are rocking up to try a new sport, they don’t need any equipment. If they are serious about it and take it up, they might make a purchase.”
Popular sport
Golf has seen an increase in participation in the last couple of years, says Maria.
“A lot of women are seeing it as a fun hobby to get into and this Get into Golf programme makes it more accessible. It’s a pastime, there is a social element. They see family members involved and you have the fitness aspect. Playing nine holes walking you’d definitely be getting your 10,000 steps in.”
The Confederation of Golf has a list of golf clubs for anyone interested in taking part in the programme, but the first step is to contact your local golf club and see if they are running Get into Golf.
Not every golf club will run it annually, it’s down to the members and volunteers to run it.
Go to a driving range, that’s a first. There are driving ranges everywhere. If you just want to hit balls, try it for the first time and give it a try.If you like it, get a lesson with an instructor through a golf club or a driving range. Try pitch and putt or pay and play which is minimal cost. You can play 18 holes for €20 or less. Start slow. Going out to a course with water hazards and trees on your first go is probably not the best idea. It’s like if you’re running a marathon, you build yourself up and train. You might find it tough in the first week, but each week it gets easier and easier. Read more
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Property: financing the field
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