Golfway – Creating Golfers of the Future

Golfway – Creating Golfers of the Future

Golf. It’s not a sport you hear about enough in schools – and the Golf Foundation is working to change that.

But why is it that golf doesn’t seem to be on the PE radar? Of course, practically, it can be a challenge to teach. Not many schools have an 18-hole golf course at their disposal. And let’s be honest, traditionally, golf has been seen as an elitist sport, leaving it seemingly unreachable for everyday people meaning it is left out of the PE curriculum. 

What is Tri-Golf?

To help schools gain access to the world of golf, the Golf Foundation developed Tri-Golf to help bring golf to as many schools as possible. Tri-Golf is an official alternative version of golf created for primary school children. The programme works through the basic safety and Tri-Golf rules as well as acquiring and developing skills using plastic clubs and a rubber ball hit at colourful targets that can you can use both indoors and out.  Now the Golf Foundation has developed a new schools initiative set to take over from Tri-Golf; it is called Golfway.

Chris Smith of Masters Golf said: “The creation of Golfway and the game format, Short Golf, will now support the Golf Foundation’s drive to bring golf to a new generation of young people.”

What is the difference between Tri-golf and Golfway?

If you’re a PE Hub subscriber, you’ll know about our Tri-Golf Scheme; you may have even tried it out yourself. First launched back in July 2021, Golfway is a new programme that has taken all the best parts of Tri-Golf and upgraded and adapted it to provide even more benefits to schools nationwide. It aims to spark an interest in golf from an early age to children from all backgrounds. So, what are the differences and why should you choose the new Golfway programme? The key feature changes are:

• The clubs now come in a variety of lengths and sizes to appeal to more diverse groups.
• Clubhead weight is also adjustable to allow pupils to practice their ideal swing/shot.
• The clubs have an innovative triangular grip to help position the hands correctly.
• New sticky targets.
• Velcro golf holes to design and play your own course
• It enhances the outreach work of PGA Professionals in schools and communities
• It links schools and local PGA Professionals together and provides four coaching sessions which progress children through to the fifth session at an accredited local golf club
• The new model encourages schools to develop tournaments or leagues either virtually or online with other local schools using a regional competition framework 

What equipment do you need?

Golfway includes games and drills developed by the Golf Foundation to deliver fun, engaging, and accessible golf sessions that will open the sport to a new generation. The programme is for children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. To get started, you’ll need to get hold of some of the great Golfway equipment.

• Clubs
• Targets
• Golfway equipment bags
• Velcro balls
• Flags
• Cones
• Chipping Nets
• Tee mats

You can find out more about the equipment available here.

What are the benefits of teaching golf in schools?

Golfway offers a unique way to get started in golf. The new programme provides specialist equipment and activities for complete beginners and allows pupils to play on school grounds. Here are just some of the benefits of golf:

• Sets children up for success in the sport from an early age.
• A generally safe low impact sport that still promotes activity and fitness.
• Improve flexibility and hand-eye coordination.
• Anyone can play! It doesn’t require a certain level of fitness to get started.
• Ideal for pupils who may not engage well with traditional team sports and prefer a solo activity to focus on.
• It is a sport the whole family can get involved in.

#CreatingGolfers is the hashtag created by Golfway for users to share their images and experiences on social media, so get involved!

If pupils get into the swing of things, the programme will help to bridge the gap between the first stroke of the ball and their first lesson with a PGA professional. After that, who knows? It’s all about the opportunity. Even Tiger Woods had to start somewhere.

To find out more about how Golfway can bring golf into your school, visit the Golf Foundation website or contact the PE Hub team, who can provide more information about the programme.