11 May 2021 | Participation |
Beginner programs deliver the goods
by Golf Australia
Think about the last time you tried something new -- maybe a gym visit, a pottery class or even golf.
What inspired you? What deterred you?
Golf Australia’s Jayden Zeinstra is certain that one of those answers would be “the deliverer”.
“Deliverers have such an impact on our experiences, even more so for beginners,” Zeinstra said.
“In golf, we’re lucky to have some of the best in the business with PGA professionals guiding almost 90 per cent of our national beginner programs, with the others supported by a workforce of community instructors.”
Andrea McGann is one such community instructor who has delivered programs to women for more than five years.
McGann delivers programs across four clubs around Sydney and has helped more than 500 participants to start golf.
“As a 60-year-old woman, I have the ability to converse with women of all ages,” McGann said.
“We can all share similar life experiences, have a joke and a laugh about similar subjects. Women want to have a bit of fun in their lives. Most are very busy so when they make a choice to have some leisure, it must be fun as well as have an educational element.”
McGann’s expansion has come from trial and error.
“Success comes from understanding your customer,” she said.
“Other clubs should think about the timing of their programs, especially if you are targeting young women who might work Monday to Friday.
“Also think about the demographic of the area – are you trying to attract young women? Are you targeting mothers who now have all their children at school, are you targeting the retired?
“Regardless, centres need to look at what is next for new participants and to give them something immediately after they finish their programs to get them back.
“If they participated in a program at 12 noon on Wednesday, encourage them to come and play with some of the other women at 12 noon next Wednesday.”
Zeinstra said that McGann had benefited from associating with the new Get Into Golf Women’s program launched last July.
“When Andrea’s programs came under the national banner, we brought attention to them through our marketing campaigns,” he said.
“That centralises her programs and gives her the tools to manage and easily communicate with participants.”
Zeinstra said more than 4000 women had taken to golf since the Get Into Golf Women’s program was launched.
“We hope through the efforts of PGA professionals and instructors like Andrea that we can get that number closer to 7000 by the end of 2021.”
To get involved with the program, or to learn more, visit the GET INTO GOLF homepage.
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