Encouraging the next generation of golfers, particularly women and children, will be crucial to the sport's long term health and prosperity.
The PGA recognises its duty to help grow and develop the game and is striving to do that, not just through the good work of its members locally and regionally but at national level too through a number of golf partnerships with the golfing unions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Golfers are never slow to embrace new technology in terms of balls and equipment and that progress on the course is being matched off it with the PGA's involvement in a series of dynamic golf partnerships.
One of the key initiatives undertaken by golf's leading bodies in recent years has been the development of the England Golf Partnership (EGP).
The PGA together with the English Women's Golf Association and English Golf Union, supported by Sport England and the Golf Foundation, joined forces in 2002 to form the EGP and create a Golf Whole Sport Plan.
The England Golf Partnership (EGP) was established to co-ordinate one development plan for golf in England, which is more commonly referred to as the Whole Sport Plan. As a result of establishing the plan and the EGP, golf attracted investment from Sport England (the agency through which the government implements its sports policy and its investment in all sport in England).
The EGP is not a new organisation with more staff, nor has it been set up as a rival organisation to the existing organisations. Rather its main focus is 'Growing the Game' and it does this by agreeing a coordinated approach which makes the best use possible of existing networks in golf. The work of the EGP is split into the following categories School, Community, Club, County and National:
School
Tri-Golf A 'mini' version of golf designed specifically for young children at infant, primary and junior schools more
Golf Xtreme is the golf game and programme for secondary schools that is related to the golf you see Tiger Woods play but is actually a completely new game for young teenagers.
School Club Links is a government funded initiative aimed at delivering a coordinated junior golf programme in school and clubs as part of the national Physical Education and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) strategy.
Community
Community Links Golf Roots helps clubs and facilities actively engage with the community through work with individual schools, school sport partnerships, young people's organisations and local authorities. It also provides a young person with an introduction to a club or golf facility and the opportunity to progress through the national learning programme, the Junior Golf Passport.
The Junior Golf Passport is the national learning programme for young people in Scotland, Wales and England.
The Junior Golf Leadership workshop is a six-hour course aimed at volunteers wishing to introduce the basic of golf to young people; it is designed for young sports leaders and club volunteers. The course looks at all aspects of working with groups of children including, motivation, communication and organisation. Candidates will also be provided with practical information regarding the introduction of basic golfing practices to children as well as, delivery strategies, health and safety and planning.
Golf Roots was introduced in 2003 to provide opportunities for children and young people in areas where golf had not previously been see as an option. The project has now evolved into the largest and most successful junior golf development project in the British Isles.
Club
GolfMark A national scheme that identifies and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities
No matter what your age, gender or background if you're interested in golf then why not take advantage of the FREE golf coaching taster sessions and from PGA professionals available in golf clubs throughout England.
The National Skills Challange is a series of 10 activities to help you improve your golf and make practicing more FUN
County
County Golf Partnerships (CGP) are an effective and structured way to support the development of golf within a county. By the County Union and Association working closely together with other appropriate bodies (such as a County PGA) at county level knowledge, experience, best practice and resources can be combined and utilised. In addition a CGP will be better positioned to access external funding from local organisations.
The English Golf Union and EWGA can provide support in facilitating the creation of a CGP and in the production and implementation of a county development plan.
National
England Teams - Men and Women - the primary aim of the National Squad Coaching Programmes are to develop English players through a holistic support system and in competitive play at a wide variety of tournaments in different conditions. The values of these programmes are commitment, responsibility, honesty and individualisation in an environment where learning both on and off the course is always an opportunity for everybody involved.
Volunteers have a vital role to play in sport in this country; the contribution made by volunteers to sport each year is estimated to be worth around £1.5 billion. Central Government has now recognised the need to help sport develop its volunteers from grass roots to national level. The England Golf Partnership has also identified that the work done by golf volunteers within our game means that the sport would not exist in its present format without the hard work that the estimated 40,000 volunteers do each year. That is why a volunteer strategy has been developed, to recognise and support these people and to help us recruit more. This will ensure that the sport continues to grow.
Good coaching is an integral part of the development of any player in any sport and the PGA aims to ensure that all golf coaches are appropriately trained and qualified to coach at their chosen level. Through the implementation of a high quality coach education structure, the PGA can provide a comprehensive coach development pathway that provides relevant training to individuals and professionals with an interest in coaching - whether the interest be as a volunteer assisting with local club sessions right through to a highly qualified master coach.
Find local courses and ranges near you using the EGU Golf Central website or find your local PGA professional
Coaching
The PGA leads on the development of a coaching strategy for England that will ultimately deliver the right coach to the right place at the right time. Good coaching is an integral part of of the development of any player in any sport and the PGA aims to ensure that all golf coaches are appropriately trained and qualified to coach at their chosen level. The network of PGA professionals who coach in England will be supported by a carefully trained and developed volunteer coaching workforce who will all ensure that the coaching needs of the golfers in England are met.
Find out more about how to become a volunteer coach in England.