Golf makes for good business in Staffs

Golf clubs across Staffordshire are teeing up a new campaign to show that good sports are good for business.

The Staffordshire County Golf Partnership has launched a drive to offer special coaching sessions to local employers and their staff. The format can be tailored to suit the county’s biggest workforces to a handful working for a local trader.

Golf has long been associated with the business world as a positive way of networking and building up client relationships. But research in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed that workers who exercise regularly are happier while a trip out of the workplace can help team building and establish productive friendships.

Free taster sessions are now available under the Business 4 Golf programme - part of the national Get into Golf campaign - with follow on coaching costing just £25 for five weeks of lessons. All equipment will be provided.

Gareth Shaw, the Staffordshire CGP development officer, said: “With Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent due to host the UK Corporate Games in June next year, our Business 4 Golf programme reinforces the positive links between business and sport.”

“Studies show workplace health programmes can increase job satisfaction and reduce staff turnover by up to 25%. Golf is a great way to help reduce stress and brings some impressive health and well-being benefits. This could be something fun to do together after work hours and these sessions could have a real benefit to both the firms and the staff taking part.”

More than 150 people enjoyed coaching sessions as part of the 2013 programme, with companies taking part including the NHS, Virgin Media, Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, Douglas Macmillan Hospice and both Potteries football clubs.

This year the golf clubs taking part include: 3 Hammers Golf Complex, Branston Golf and Country Club, The Chase Golf and Country Club, Leek GC, Barlaston GC, Stone Driving Range and Golf Club, Lichfield Golf and Country Club, The Range Golf Academy, Perton Park GC, Mark Butler Golf Academy and Penn GC, Drayton Park GC, John Letters Golf Academy and Calderfields GC, Wolstanton GC, Onneley GC, and Keele Driving Range.

Shaw added: “There has been a positive spin off for the golf clubs involved too, with corporate memberships being created while companies have been using the facilities for meetings and social occasions.”