Parliamentary Golf

On the whole I would say golf has to look after itself. The one area it could encourage is for schools to link with golf clubs to offer golf as an option. It can't be offered as a normal lesson in its current format but could an equivalent to kwik cricket be developed that schools could offer and then keen players could have a PE golf lesson at a local club with the pro instead of standard, current options? At the moment there is very little interaction between schools and clubs. A difficult area and not one that could be forced on schools, off site for starters, but golf needs to grab players early and school is where the kids are.
 
Provision of pitch and putt/par 3/beginner style courses, preferably municipal style that are well maintained but provide access at an affordable price for those who want to get into the game, rather than allowing municipal courses to be run down then sold off to build housing on!
 
Interesting question Tom. Personally I don't think the answer is in growing the game for kids through schools...controversial I know but stick with me!

I totally agree with fundy on easy access to more short courses either par 3 or short 9 hole courses to help people starting out in the game. But I'd target those aged 35-45. Pitch it as a great hobby they can take up now the joints are finding their previously preferred sports difficult. Sell it as a great family activity that parents and children can go and enjoy together on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. During the school summer holidays also pitch it as something fun parents can do with their kids on a lovely sunny day. Make it the nice day equivalent to spending a rainy day at the cinema or ten pin bowling.

That's where fundy's courses come in as they will need somewhere accessible and easy to play :thup:
 
If they want kids to play, it needs to come via schools. But there isn't enough PE being done as it is, so there isn't time for golf lessons on top of everything else.

Something to keep those 18-21 year olds playing, too many good golfers in that age range give up. Whether it's caused by cost, or moving to Uni' then incentivise them into carrying on (financially or as part of there studies). If it's due to wine, women & song, well, in that case you've got a real tough job.

For ladies golf I think making it so that courses have to be available for competition golf at weekends is needed. Otherwise, the current ladies membership will keep voting for comp's in the week, when working women can't play. Thus memberships keep getting older, and ladies sections reduce in number and competitiveness, or as our club chairman put it "sleepwalking into extinction".

As far as easy cheap access to facilities goes. Councils can't afford to provide good quality municipal courses, good P&P courses or equipment as they are too steeped in making cuts to provide anything.
 
Don't really understand what their remit is. The game is awash with money at the top level and it is a sport with a governing body. Let the R&A, the existing multitude of bodies and individual clubs sort any issues out. As much as I love the game, I really don't see how the government in the current climate can justify spending any time or effort specifically helping golf. Sport in general at school OK, but not a specific sport.

I suppose if I was being really cynical I'd argue that this is either a vote grab for the old white male golfing demographic. Or an excuse for the group members to play some nice courses in the name of 'research' so they can then do a bit of lobbying.;)
 
Shouldn't golf be looking after itself? Does it really need government interference?

I think the only thing I'd hope that the government could do would be try to get it into schools a little bit more through the likes of http://www.golf-foundation.org/default.asp and at least give kids a chance to play it and see what it's like.

However that's not going to keep them going at it. Golf is a relatively expensive sport which needs to be played on specifically set up facilities and I can't see the government being able to change that. That's where the clubs come in. They are the ones who should be inciting juniors to play and helping them to get into the sport. Long term it'll be beneficial for all concerned.
 
To Hacker Khan ... just for info, it's an all-Party group so it's not a vote grab. Plus, the meetings take place in the evenings at the Houses Of Parliament. Nobody's bringing their clubs ;-)
 
Not sure that there is much that Parliament can do.

To me, golf's worst enemies are golf clubs. They can be intimidating, archaic and are not in many instances welcoming. Ask many members of a club if they want loads of kids around the place having lessons through their school and most will, if they are replying honestly, say no. Hell, there are members at clubs who do not even like the fact that other groups of members are allowed to play on their course so they are not going to jump at the idea of kids around the place.

As for weekend lessons, until clubs wake up to the idea that parents may like to make use of the club house facilities whilst their child has a lesson rather than go home and come straight back and also appreciate that said parents are going to be in their normal weekend attire and not trousers and a shirt, there is going to be issues with them encouraging kids to play what is an expensive game.

There is plenty of scope to expand the game and increase participation but my honest opinion is that many clubs really are not at all interested in change or evolution and will not be until membership levels are so low that the club is in danger.
 
GB72 said:
Not sure that there is much that Parliament can do.

To me, golf's worst enemies are golf clubs. They can be intimidating, archaic and are not in many instances welcoming. Ask many members of a club if they want loads of kids around the place having lessons through their school and most will, if they are replying honestly, say no. Hell, there are members at clubs who do not even like the fact that other groups of members are allowed to play on their course so they are not going to jump at the idea of kids around the place.

As for weekend lessons, until clubs wake up to the idea that parents may like to make use of the club house facilities whilst their child has a lesson rather than go home and come straight back and also appreciate that said parents are going to be in their normal weekend attire and not trousers and a shirt, there is going to be issues with them encouraging kids to play what is an expensive game.

There is plenty of scope to expand the game and increase participation but my honest opinion is that many clubs really are not at all interested in change or evolution and will not be until membership levels are so low that the club is in danger.
Click to expand...

Good post there sir. I'd give it a like if I could.
 
andyhise said:
To Hacker Khan ... just for info, it's an all-Party group so it's not a vote grab. Plus, the meetings take place in the evenings at the Houses Of Parliament. Nobody's bringing their clubs ;-)
Click to expand...

Is this where I should start looking through the list of current MPs with a name resembling the posters to see if I have been slapped down by an MP? I do hope so.;)
 
Duckster said:
Shouldn't golf be looking after itself? Does it really need government interference?

I think the only thing I'd hope that the government could do would be try to get it into schools a little bit more through the likes of http://www.golf-foundation.org/default.asp and at least give kids a chance to play it and see what it's like.

However that's not going to keep them going at it. Golf is a relatively expensive sport which needs to be played on specifically set up facilities and I can't see the government being able to change that. That's where the clubs come in. They are the ones who should be inciting juniors to play and helping them to get into the sport. Long term it'll be beneficial for all concerned.
Click to expand...

Another like.
 
GB72 said:
Not sure that there is much that Parliament can do.

To me, golf's worst enemies are golf clubs. They can be intimidating, archaic and are not in many instances welcoming. Ask many members of a club if they want loads of kids around the place having lessons through their school and most will, if they are replying honestly, say no. Hell, there are members at clubs who do not even like the fact that other groups of members are allowed to play on their course so they are not going to jump at the idea of kids around the place.

As for weekend lessons, until clubs wake up to the idea that parents may like to make use of the club house facilities whilst their child has a lesson rather than go home and come straight back and also appreciate that said parents are going to be in their normal weekend attire and not trousers and a shirt, there is going to be issues with them encouraging kids to play what is an expensive game.

There is plenty of scope to expand the game and increase participation but my honest opinion is that many clubs really are not at all interested in change or evolution and will not be until membership levels are so low that the club is in danger.
Click to expand...

Excellent post.
 
Same as other's I'm not sure what they can do, or if they actually have any budget to be able to do anything or it's just going to turn into a talking shop.

Worst case is they get in the way of the R&A and other bodies and just cause confusion.

If they're going to get involved then they need engagement and representation from the existing major stakeholders so everyone is going in the same direction.
 
andyhise said:
To Hacker Khan ... just for info, it's an all-Party group so it's not a vote grab. Plus, the meetings take place in the evenings at the Houses Of Parliament. Nobody's bringing their clubs ;-)
Click to expand...

Ahh, found you. Not a MP after all ;)

From looking at what the organisation I think you represent does it looks a very worthwhile enterprise. So with my cynical head off, what does your organisation intend to get out of this and stop the overall group becoming an excuse for some MPs to play some nice golf courses? Practically is it a lobbying thing? Is this group there to lobby and promote the interests of golf? Is this something that you could argue the R&A as the over all governing body in golf should be doing?

I am genuinely interested. And I do wish your organisation the best of luck as the game needs it.
 
Last edited:
To Hacker Khan, Drewster and indeed all who are coming from a slightly (and perhaps understandably) suspicious POV ... indeed nowadays I'm just a humble PR guy myself, although I have a bit of history behind the scenes in the game over the last twenty years (find me @andyhise on Twitter). Not an MP, not looking for an excuse to play nice courses :-) I'm down in London tomorrow to hear what the people who created the APPGG have to say. Today, I've asked various people in the golf media to ask their audiences to suggest what the APPGG should be looking into, and this thread is thanks to GOLF MONTHLY responding positively to that request.

So it's not my organisation, just something I have joined to get involved, to try and help the discussion, and perhaps help to point the APPGG in the right direction, as a golf lover myself since the age of 5.

Just clarifying, for full disclosure. Enjoying seeing all the opinions. Best: AH
 
If Parliamentary Golf are really serious, then maybe they could look at the recent legislation which has altered the criteria for golf clubs to be C.A.S.C. members

I know that this is going to cost golf clubs in our region tens of thousands of pounds each, with having to de-register due to the new enforced restrictions.

And guess who will bear the cost of this....the members of course. Not a great way to encourage golf for the masses by having to raise the membership cost
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Higher than usually golf shoes ?
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Oops!
O
C
Percentage of Single Digit Handicap Players.
5 6 7
Replies
137
Views
6K
Swango1980
S
D
Best all inclusive resort with golf?
Replies
3
Views
739
mister v
mister v
H
The hype around caddies
2 3
Replies
44
Views
1K
jim8flog
jim8flog
H
2026 goals
2
Replies
37
Views
1K
ger147
G
Top