Development Centres a massive success say students

The benefit of PGA coaching has been highlighted in a recent player survey of youngsters who have reported reductions in their handicaps since being involved in Scottish Golf Development Centres.

Introduced in winter 2012, Development Centre coaching is taking place at 30 facilities across the country and, according to the sample of students surveyed (23 per cent of all year one players) it has undoubtedly had a positive influence on their development as golfers.

As well as showing a reduction in handicaps across the board, the first-of-its-kind survey indicated a staggering 92 per cent of players believed their game had improved ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’ during their time in Development Centres. An even more impressive 96 per cent revealed they would recommend the programme to another young golfer.

For Scottish Golf Development Centres project manager Colin Bell, the survey represents a valuable endorsement of the coaching being delivered.

He said: “To hear that players are so positive about the first year of a new programme like this is great news.

“What’s exciting to us is that we are using the valuable feedback from coaches and players to work on improvements and additions to the programme, so we know that there is even more to come.

“Knowing that almost every player would recommend Development Centres to another young golfer is a great testament to the Scottish Golf Development Coaches delivering the programme. It is also a significant step in creating a sustainable ClubGolf Stage 3 programme accessible to all young golfers across Scotland.”

Further findings indicated that all youngsters remained as a member of the same golf club they belonged to prior to the beginning of coaching.

This, according to Bell, was one of the most encouraging aspects of the programme, year two of which is now underway at clubs across the country.

“We believe that one of the biggest fears a golf club may have in promoting the programme to their junior golfers is that players may leave their home club to join their nearest Development Centre.

“We have always promoted that Development Centres will offer an additional winter development opportunity for players in the appropriate environment and facilities, but that all players are encouraged to remain members of their home clubs. We are delighted to see that this is the case.”

As a testament to how the programme has helped players progress, 48 per cent of youngsters inducted into the Scottish Golf Academy in 2014 - the next stage of the Scottish Golf Development Pathway - have come through Development Centres.

An important element to the programme are the resources used to help educate players on self-assessment, goal setting, planning and a number of key mental and physical aspects of golf.

Among those surveyed, 85 per cent achieved goals they had set with their Scottish Golf Development coach and every player reported stories of individual successes throughout the season.

For Steve Paulding, Scottish Golf performance manager, the survey is evidence that the programme is delivering success in its mission to help produce Scotland’s most talented amateur golfers and create lifelong enthusiasts in the sport.

He said: “It’s great to see the all the positive feedback we have received through our survey of players participating in the Development Centre programme. With all players improving their handicaps and able to enjoy playing the game more, we are clearly achieving some of the key aims of the programme.

“Hopefully, through having more young players getting consistent quality coaching around the country, we will strengthen the game at club and area level and inspire some future champions that will go on to represent Scotland internationally.”

Interested players can join year three of Development Centre coaching, due to start in Sept/Oct 2014, with applications welcome from May 1. It is planned that additional centres be added to the programme, allowing Scottish Golf to build on the 504 students who benefited in Year 2.

For more information about the programme, which entitles players to 40 hours of coaching in all physical and mental aspects of the game for £160, click here.