British Putting launched

It’s called the game within a game and is the thinking behind the launch of British Putting – a new organisation set up to promote putting.

The aim is to encourage clubs, courses, driving ranges and adventure golf centres to utilise this part of the game to attract a new audience of golfers. 

One of the cornerstones of British Putting will be the staging of the country’s first British Open Putting Championship, which will be open to everyone. 

All golf facilities registered with British Putting will be able to stage a qualifying competition, the winners of which will go to county finals around the country with a 72-hole national final to be held at Basildon Golf Course from September 1-2. 

Colin Jenkins, a PGA pro and owner of Basildon Golf Course, together with former European Golf Course Owners Association chief executive Jerry Kilby and Rohan Barnett, managing director of the Organisation of Golf Range Operators, officially launched the new body at GolfBIC as part of the Bigga Turf Management Exhibition at Harrogate’s exhibition centre.

The rationale behind the concept is simple - everyone is able to putt even the absolute beginner.

Jenkins said: “Since the very first games of golf were played, putting has been a game within a game, sometimes frustrating, often challenging, and finally, very satisfying as the ball drops into the hole.

“But essentially, putting can be a very enjoyable indoor or outdoor game for all the family to enjoy.  For existing golfers to play with novices, perhaps introducing their children or grandchildren to the great game of golf.

“I believe many golf facilities under-utilise their putting greens and these assets can be used to generate new participants to the game.

“At my own facility, Basildon Golf Course in Essex, we will be opening 36 hole putting course over three quarters of an acre which will be a place for members with visitors and their families and friends welcome and have fun, whatever their level of golf skill may be.”

Kilby added: “Like many other golfers, I played my first game of golf on a municipal putting green and it is the vision of British Putting to encourage golf facilities to use their numerous and varied putting greens to good effect, and encourage more non-golfers to our facilities.

“The golf facility only needs to register with British Putting and invest a little time and effort to see positive results very quickly.

“We will provide ideas, help, advice and case studies to golf facility owners, managers and operators who want to generate new visitors to their facilities and with perhaps 5,000 putting greens of all shapes and sizes around Great Britain, and we know that these can be used to welcome a significant number of new people into our game.”

Barnett is also enthusiastic: “As a gender neutral sport, we genuinely offer everyone the chance to play together, whatever their age and ability. Putting events will transform the fortunes of many clubs’ food and drink business and it gives golf operators the chance to boost custom at times of their choosing.”

For more information email jerry@kandagolf.com