Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

GolfIntroduction335. Golf is a relatively difficult sport to provide for within <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent, primarilybecause of the land area required and the difficulty of enabling and encouragingpublic access across courses. However, there are opportunities and these areexplored in this section.336. Golf caters for a wide range of ages. However, most golfers are white men agedbetween 20 and 69 years. It is the 5 th largest participation sport after recreationalwalking, swimming, cycling and football.337. The traditional golf game is having problems in maintaining levels of participation,in remaining solvent and in attracting a wider section of the community. Howevergolf is re-inventing itself in the municipal, voluntary and private sectors. Itappears to have significant potential for increasing sports participation if newfacilities, new approaches, a wider participation base, and a new image can besuccessfully delivered. Innovative golf opportunities are currently being deliveredvia the programme supported by Staffordshire police. This successful project ishelping to provide positive opportunities for young people, reducing levels of antisocialbehaviour.338. Golf provision is mainly considered in three different ways: standard 9 and 18hole courses, Par 3 course and golf driving ranges. However other golfexperiences are being developed elsewhere and could be copied for <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent. These alternative and complementary golf opportunities are aimed atdriving up participation and widening access.339. The largely non- traditional facilities include: Adventure Golf (a modern “cooler”form of miniature golf); conventional driving ranges as well as short “into-the-net”driving ranges, indoor miniature golf, virtual golf, pitch ‘n putt; short (3,6 and 9hole) Par 3 courses; and temporary summer only facilities. Some of thesefacilities might use synthetic turf for tee and green areas thus reducingmaintenance cost and extending the season. There are also large commercialmulti-sport venues that focus on golf.340. The English Golf Union (EGU) is leading the way on this re-invigoration of thesport, for example its key “Community Links” programme is designed to helpclubs and facilities to actively engage with the community through work withindividual schools, school sport partnerships, young people’s organisations andlocal authorities. A Community Links facility will offer taster sessions in localschools using “Tri-golf” (for the primary school aged), “Extreme Golf” for theNortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 219Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009