A campaign to encourage more women to play golf has been launched in Shrewsbury to boost health and fitness and banish the lockdown blues.
With golfers now back on the fairways after weeks of course closures, they want more women to share their love of the sport and get “the golfing bug.”
Group coaching lessons tee off on May 18 at Shrewsbury Golf Club for eight weeks when golf professionals John Richards and Trey Niven will teach beginners how to swing a club, chip onto the green and escape from those dreaded sand filled bunkers.
“Golf is simply an exhilarating sport which keeps you fit, helps you enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful tree lined landscape and most importantly after a year of isolation for many, it offers friendships and a great social life,” said women’s club captain Pat Alexander.
“Lessons will include being paired with one of the club’s women members, who will act as a “buddy” golfer to help with the rules of golf and offer tips and advice out on the course.
“It will be a fun time on the course and in the club house too,” added Pat, whose love of golf also started in similar group lessons at Shrewsbury.
Would be women golfers of all ages are urged to put on a pair of flat shoes or trainers and come along to the Condover course in Grange Lane every Tuesday evening from 6pm to 7.15pm for eight weekly group lessons starting on May 18 to July 6.
No equipment is needed as golf clubs will be provided for the sessions which are being run at a charge of £99.
Golf pro John Richards said: “Shrewsbury Golf Club in Condover really is one of the finest golf courses to start your love of the sport. More women are joining and why wouldn’t you want to enjoy a four to five mile walk in beautiful countryside playing this very popular game.
“Shrewsbury Golf Club has the best practice facilities in the area with a large hitting area, chipping and putting greens and newly furbished practice bays which all help to provide the perfect environment to learn to play golf.”
The campaign has been launched in Shrewsbury as part of a national effort by England Golf to get more women and girls to play the game, join golf clubs and to inspire more families to enjoy golf as a group leisure activity. They also want to encourage more women to work in the golf industry.
There are more than 120 women members from all walks of life at Shrewsbury Golf Club, whose ladies team was the outright winner of the Annodata UK Golf Club Classic held in Spain in 2019.
Their members range from teenagers to octogenarians, with 15-year-old Isla McDonald-O’Brien, club champion in 2019, hoping to represent England in the under 16’s.
Members play in regional and national competitions, take part in weekly competitions of nine or 18 holes and also play in mixed team events.
For more information on the learn to play golf programme contact the Shrewsbury Pro shop on 01743 872977 (option1).
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