Affordable golf coaching for women launched

Cheap female golf lessons now available at four venues

Ed Greenland's picture
Wed, 9 Oct 2013
Affordable golf coaching for women launched

SHEFFIELD INTERNATIONAL VENUES (SIV), which runs four golfing venues, has recruited former European Tour professional Fame Tate to help increase female participation numbers.

In June it was reported that only 14% of golfers in the UK are women, ranked 25th of 29 countries surveyed in Europe, prompting clubs to take action on what is a big part of the future UK golf industry.

SIV has provided females at Tapton Park, Beauchief, Birley Wood and Tinsley Park with a new opportunity. Ex-Tour golfer Tate will deliver informal affordable group lessons running from £12.50 an hour.

The four to six person sessions, which also provide one club for each of the pupils and has no dress code, are aimed at complete beginners but can be for lower handicappers.

Tate, who runs the 'Fame Academy' at Tapton Park's nine-hole Academy course in Chesterfield, believes the new plans could have a very positive effect on UK-based female golfers.

“I hope that Fame Academy will successfully bring down the barriers to women playing golf and show that it is not only a men’s game,” she said.

“I want to provide a relaxed environment, and break the traditional image of golf. Lessons are affordable, with no membership required and no strict rules on attire.

“I’m passionate about getting more women involved in golf, which is a sport that I love and has given me a hugely successful career. Hopefully, other women can be inspired to go and achieve their dreams.”

The Fame Academy started a few weeks ago and already has 32 signatures.

Andy Carnall, SIV’s golf manager, expressed how it is making beginning golf less daunting: “We hope that this new coaching experience will encourage women to take up golf," he said.

“Golf can be a daunting sport for anyone to get into, but with the help of Fame, we hope to take down these barriers and give women the opportunity to enjoy playing in a no pressure environment.

“Some of these women may even go on to follow in the footsteps of Fame herself.”