clubgolf coaching is a hit with kids

Oct 21 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

JUNIOR golf coaching works – that’s the verdict of volunteers at Blairgowrie Golf Club who have been offering clubgolf coaching for the first time this season.

The Perthshire club joined forces with clubgolf in the spring to give children the opportunity to play, teaming-up with local schools to build its junior section and hopefully nrture future talent.

“The coaching is definitely working,” said Blairgowrie clubgolf coordinator, Phil McKenna.

“We already have a number of clubgolf candidates who are about to move on to Level 2 coaching with the assistant pro. That will also create space so we can bring in more kids from the primary schools for our Level 1 course.”

Following in the footsteps of the 1400-plus Scottish club members who have become qualified volunteer coaches, 10 Blairgowrie members went through the two day Level 1 course taught by PGA tutors in February.

“There's no question that I would recommend Level 1 training to club members,” said McKenna. “We were all quite apprehensive about doing the course but we came away from it confident to go out and coach the kids.

“All our coaches have varying abilities of golf and one of the best things we have found is that some of the group who are not the greatest of golfers and have very high handicaps have been outstanding coaches.

“We very much enjoy the coaching and having all 10 coaches signed up again next year to continue the course speaks for itself.”

clubgolf’s growing army of volunteer coaches, PGA pros and assistants are working at the heart of Scotland’s clubs driving clubgolf programmes for over 12,000 children in over 300 clubs.

The initiative is supporting the coaching workforce with a comprehensive coach training programme at venues across Scotland in 2012.

If you are a club member, PGA pro or assistant pro who wants to find out more about clubgolf, how it can benefit your club and see the 2012 Coach Education Calendar go to: www.clubgolfscotland.com