Belgravia Leisure’s Get into Golf program is a suite of seasonal programs designed to attract specific groups that have historically had low engagement rates with the game of golf. The programs were created in partnership with Golf Australia, designed to reach demographic groups that may never have picked up a golf club.

Get into Golf Women’s Clinics

In March, Victorian golf venue Keilor Public Golf Course successfully launched a five-week free clinic for ladies. The clinic was suitable for all skill levels from beginners to intermediate and classes were kept to a maximum of ten participants to ensure that each person attending would receive enough personal attention to properly pick up the skills required.

Class participant Marion McDonald found out about the ladies-only golf clinic from her son, Venue Manager Jack McDonald. Marion was thrilled with the free classes which she says allowed her to meet other women in the community. Marion had played golf in the past with her partner but never on a regular basis because she had always been too busy. “I think golf hasn’t been popular with women because they tend to be so busy with family, and a round of golf, even nine holes, takes two hours!”

Marion also felt that golf has traditionally been a sport marketed towards men, so she was very pleased to be able to attend a ladies-only golf clinic. “I enjoyed getting some golf tips and learning how to improve on my golfing skills, but I especially enjoyed meeting other women.”

“I saw the classes as a social event as well as improving my golf game. I’m looking at retirement in a couple of years and I really want to take up the sport. It’s such a good form of exercise and on a lovely day, it’s just beautiful to play casually and enjoy the good weather,” Marion explained.

When asked if there was more that could be done to encourage women to take up the sport, Marion felt the social aspect of the game was the key to engaging female participation. “Keilor Golf Course runs regular Friday morning social golf sessions for women. I wish other golf clubs would do the same, because a lot of women out there don’t want to be locked into the serious competitive side of golf. I think a more casual, social approach to golf would encourage women to have a crack at the game and meet other ladies with similar interests.”

‘This Girl Can’ Golf Week

This Girl Can is a campaign from VicHealth that runs over a week in March designed to encourage women to become more active and celebrate all types of activity that women can do. This year, during This Girl Can Week, the team at Yarrambat Park Golf Course partnered with Aligned Leisure at Eltham Leisure Centre to set up a ‘come and try’ golf practice net and putting zone, right at the front door of their venue!

The activity was a great introduction for around 25 to 30 ladies and their daughters. Venue Manager Mitch Walker was pleased with the results. “Throughout 2020 our community outreach programs were reduced due to Covid; and through our partnership with Aligned Leisure, we were able to showcase accessible This Girl Can Victoria initiatives across multiple Nillumbik facilities for the benefit of Nillumbik residents. The outreach program was a great success for Yarrambat, with four ladies converting our ‘Come and Try’ golf session by following up with use our golf facilities. It was an absolute win in my opinion!”

Feedback from the activity was very positive,” added Mitch, “with many mothers saying their young ones were really interested in golf, which in turn made them more interested in having a go at the game. Having the icebreaker of mini golf is a major drawcard in getting families into golf through an accessible and fun family activity.”

Find out more about Belgravia Leisure’s Get into Golf program here.