JUNIOR GOLF COACHING – Resumes April 23rd and 24th 2022
Juniors come high on our list of priorities at the Golf Academy. For the last 15 years the Junior Golf Academy has been one of the largest and most successful in the UK. Parents are reminded that to achieve coaching, governing body or PGA Qualifications, coaches have to complete all DBS checks necessary and undergo regular updates in child teaching methods with Safeguarding a priority. Parents should always check that coaches and facilities for any Junior sport have passed the correct Safeguarding Children Workshops and have the correctly displayed certificates, as well as First Responders First Aid qualification as required.
We were proud to announce in January 2014 we were appointed a Centre of Excellence and a GET INTO GOLF Regional Centre by the governing body England Golf , under the Range Mark award scheme – one of only a couple in Lancashire. Two of our coaches are also appointed as Development Coaches to the Lancashire Union Of Golf Clubs and Lancashire Ladies County Golf Association and work with Juniors in several age groups to reach County Playing Standards.
IN 2022 Group lessons will normally take place at 9.30 am, 11.00 am and 1 pm on Saturday and Sundays, plus the afternoon Girls Only Sessions each day. Juniors are grouped where possible in terms of age and/or ability to ensure each individual receives the information best suited to them. Each group contains a maximum of 6 children and lessons are always delivered by qualified coaches who vitally, have Child Safety qualifications, ensuring individuals receive an ample amount of individual attention per session. Sessions will now be graded more on ability as our groups progress and coaches will discuss this with parents.
Although good technique is the central subject matter of the lessons, we aim to incorporate aspects of etiquette and rules as much as possible as these are the elements that we feel set golf apart from other sports in terms of a child’s development.
Call by, check out our facilities and meet our coaches any time during the week, who will be happy to show you around and explain our approach.
In 2022 the cost of the rolling ten-week course (was 6 weeks in the past) is still £60 which importantly includes any equipment needed and all range balls as applicable – no extras. The costs of balls and equipment are normally extra if you compare elsewhere. Please note there are no reductions for non-attendance on any session.
JUNIOR LESSONS WILL RECOMMENCE SATURDAY APRIL 23rd and SUNDAY APRIL 25th 2022 but only a few places are available for the age groups between 8 and 13 years.
Times available, subject to limited numbers 9.30am (FULL), 11am (FULL), 1.00pm each day at weekends. There are GIRLS ONLY GROUPs on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm each day (these follow on from the very successful Girls Golf Rocks progreamme). All other groups are mixed.
SPECIAL COURSES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR SMALL GROUPS AT ANY TIME and see our special Girls only pages for the new activities for GIRL GROUPS ONLY which began in June 2021.
Please read the following notes from our coaching staff for 2022.
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SGA Junior Coaching 2022
We wanted to outline our plans for junior coaching and development for 2022, as well as our philosophy with regard to the future.
The interesting thing about golf is that development as a player is not always based on age, some very young children pick up the basics very quickly, others can take a while and only develop when they are older. Some of us never really get it!
Much of this is stems from the ability to take instruction and maintain concentration. As we know from our children and grandchildren, they all develop basic skills at a different pace whether it be walking, speaking, reading, and writing, they all do it when they are ready.
This makes constructing effective groups difficult for our coaches, especially Brad Bridgwood, who has the task of introduction and initial development of all new Juniors here. Now we have had a full season of coaching following the Covid shutdown and hopefully will not be restricted for the future, Brad is keen to try and separate some of the existing groups. This will allow students to be matched more effectively based on their current ability. As we say above, the age is not always the divider and during the past years coaching, we are reasonably comfortable that we can widen the categories to make sure all enjoy this coming year.
Ultimately, the aim is to develop the players to present the option of junior membership here, which includes competition and extra sessions during the week after school. A good number of last year’s students will be ready for that step by the spring.
At this point, we should mention our girls’ groups and their development. With support from the governing body, our Head Professional, Richie Benyon, introduced girls to the game last year under the Girls Golf Rocks banner. The objective was to provide a girls-only opportunity, based on research that at earlier ages, girls were more comfortable learning together. It has proved highly successful, we have a good number who will continue this coming year, and again we plan a full and competitive girl’s society from the spring. The Girls Golf Rocks programme continues for 2022 commencing in May.
In addition, James Carpenter our Director of Golf, has the responsibility for developing girls across the County for the Lancashire Ladies County Golf Association and this programme allows further development for our own girls to meet and play too.
So, for 2022 next group programme srtars at the end of April. Places are limited over three sessions each day and the standard and ages (to an extent) for each session will be decided dependent on enrolment. For all existing students (see girls later) we ask that you contact Brad on 01772 815842; the times when he is on-site are below. Please confirm you wish your children to continue and to discuss Brad’s views on the next development step including whether a change of group or extra tuition might be useful. Going forward for students new to us, Brad will require a one-on-one assessment lesson (£18) – or the same price if two siblings – to try and evaluate the best group for your child. None of these groups is exclusive to boys or girls.
For existing girls, the groups will continue with a choice of either Saturday or Sunday sessions with the objective of a Spring Girls Society and competition. There will be new Girls Golf Rocks promotions in the Spring and Summer for beginners as well! Some of the existing Girls will be invited to meet with James and the Lancashire Ladies Junior organiser to discuss further development too. “”
PLEASE CALL INTO THE PRO SHOP OR TELEPHONE 01772 815842 AND SPEAK TO RICHARD, BRAD, JAMES, or RICHIE, TO REGISTER or have a chat about what is best for your child.
