Brief History
Golf is one of the oldest sports, with many years of tradition. Many people will have seen golf on the television in tournaments such as "The Open" and "The US Masters", with stars such as Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood or Nick Faldo competing for top prizes. There are also top tournaments competed for by women, with top players such as Laura Davies, Anneka Sorenstam and Karrie Webb widening the appeal of the sport for girls.

Facilities and Equipment Required
The Golf Foundation, a charity devoted to the development of grass roots golf, has developed a game aimed at younger potential golfers. This game called Trigolf uses plastic clubs and balls, so fun can be had inside or outside and players can have a go in primary schools.

The Golf Foundation also operates a network of facilities aimed at the beginning golfer called "Starter Centres". Here, you will be provided with equipment and will not be required to wear special clothing or shoes, the professional coaches on site are friendly, and a golf lesson will cost no more than £2.00. Each Starter Centre will usually have an area where you can practice your game, as well as a "mini-course" where you can play golf at your own speed.

It is advisable to have some lessons and practise your new skills before you tackle a full sized course. You can either use the Starter Centres where available, or have group or individual lessons with a professional coach, who is based at either a driving range or a course. Girls may be able to obtain coaching in a girls' environment by contacting the English Ladies' Golf Association to find their local group.

Once the player is ready, they may play on a course. At some courses, you may pay a fee for one round, and at others, you must be a member before you can use the facilities, which requires that you pay an annual fee.

Many courses will hire clubs, but regular players will need to purchase their own set.

Most courses have a junior section, where you can obtain coaching at either a minimal cost, or free, which has been subsidised by the English Golf Union, and the organiser of the section will arrange competitions and events to help you become involved in golf.

Benefits of Participating
You can compete with others who are much stronger or experienced without being at a disadvantage, because of the handicap system. If you find it difficult to react to a moving ball, golf will allow you to approach each shot in your own time. You do not need to be able to run quickly, but you must be fit enough to walk reasonable distances. It is a very sociable sport; many people who take up the game make friends who stay with them forever. Golf allows you to measure your progress easily, as your handicap improves over time.

Variations of the Sport
You can play against the course itself, or you can compete directly against others. There are team games, singles and pairs games, with many different ways of calculating your score within these variations. Most clubs vary the type of competition throughout the season to allow players to experience most types.

Contact Details
English Golf Union
Junior Development Officer: Richard Brown
The National Golf Centre
The Broadway
Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire
LN10 6PU

Telephone: Fax: Email: Website:

01526 354500 (HQ) 01653 697578 (Malton Office) 01526 354020 info@englishgolfunion.org http://www.englishgolfunion.org/

English Ladies Golf Association
Junior Girls' Development Officer: Kirstie Jennings
Edgbaston Golf Club
Church Road
Birmingham
B15 3TB

Telephone: Fax: Email: Website:

0121 456 2088 0121 454 5542 office@englishladiesgolf.org http://www.englishladiesgolf.org/