NG2 JUNE/JULY 2021
Local business directory and community magazine
Local business directory and community magazine
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Time for a game of golf?<br />
Golf courses are now open for play, and, boasting<br />
numerous benefits, golf is likely to be even more<br />
popular than ever. We find out why…<br />
Golf is the perfect socially-distanced sport – there’s<br />
no physical contact necessary and you’re out in the<br />
fresh air. The governing body for the game, England<br />
Golf, say the activity associated with playing a round<br />
of golf can help mental wellbeing by raising mood and<br />
lowering anxiety. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that<br />
last year, in the months when activity was permitted,<br />
that golf saw a big upswing in those taking up the<br />
hobby.<br />
As a sociable outdoor activity, it has got a lot going for<br />
it. According to England Golf, walking and playing 18<br />
holes will take around 15,000 steps and burn around<br />
1,200 calories. They also say golf has been proven to<br />
extend life expectancy – on average golfers live five<br />
years longer than non-golfers!<br />
We are lucky to have some really attractive golf<br />
courses in our area and now that spring is here and<br />
the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions is on the horizon,<br />
what better time to take up golf?<br />
GIVE IT A GO<br />
It is recommended that you learn under the guidance<br />
of a professional coach. Group lessons are a great<br />
way to meet other beginners, make new friends and<br />
have a laugh! And, with a bit of practice, you’ll soon be<br />
hitting the ball into holes with ease and really enjoying<br />
the game. Anyone can do it, children included.<br />
To find out if this game will suit you, make contact with<br />
your nearest golf course and book a taster session.<br />
These are often free of charge. England Golf has an<br />
online ‘Find and Play’ service to help beginners find a<br />
friendly local club that offers a Get into Golf scheme.<br />
These clubs are ready to welcome new players to the<br />
game and they have activities especially for beginners.<br />
Go to the website www.englandgolf.org and search for<br />
Get into Golf.<br />
GIRLS GET INVOLVED!<br />
There’s more to golf than<br />
you might think – and it<br />
certainly does not live up<br />
to the tired old stereotypes.<br />
It’s an inclusive sport, with<br />
golf courses ensuring their<br />
facilities are accessible<br />
to disabled people and<br />
that there are appropriate<br />
opportunities for play and<br />
for competing. And there’s<br />
a drive to attract more<br />
women to the game.<br />
A campaign called Girls Golf Rocks <strong>2021</strong> will be<br />
introducing golf to a new generation of beginner girl<br />
golfers aged between seven and 14. It’s all part of a<br />
drive to encourage more women to get out onto golf<br />
courses. Girls are invited to register their interest by<br />
emailing girlsgolfrocks@englandgolf.org<br />
England Golf say currently only 15% of club members<br />
are female, meaning our country is lagging far behind<br />
many European countries. Their aim is to increase the<br />
proportion of women golfers to 20% this year.<br />
England Golf is the national governing body for the<br />
amateur game. The organisation looks after the<br />
interests of 1,800 affiliated golf clubs from all over<br />
England, and around 640,000 golf club members.<br />
Find more information at<br />
www.englandgolf.org<br />
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