PGA Professionals across the country are offering family golf clinics and play days promoting golf as the perfect recreation for families to participate in during the third annual Family Golf Month. Family Golf Month provides a structured yet casual opportunity for families to learn the game of golf together. Grammy award winners and golfing enthusiasts Vince Gill and Amy Grant, along with their seven-year old daughter Corrina are the spokesfamily for the second consecutive year.
"Golf is a great activity for families to get outdoors and enjoy themselves," Gill said. "Families should participate in Family Golf Month because it spreads the message of the game and hopefully the love of the game will take hold in our kids."
In 2007, more than 1,100 facilities hosted Family Golf Month events such as Family Golf Clinics, Family Play Days, Kids Play Free Programs and Family Golf Leagues, an 823 percent increase from 2006. A total of 120 golf facilities nationwide offered family programs in the pilot promotion throughout the summer of 2006. Last August, the PGA Family Course Program was launched at facilities nationwide in partnership with U.S. Kids Golf and their Personal Tee Program. By year's end, more than 300 golf courses participated in the program.
"Golf is just a great way for families to spend unhurried time together," Grant said. "How many sporting events can a 50- or 60-year-old adult do with a 10-year old? Not many."
Family Golf Month, held during July at participating facilities nationwide, offers family golf clinics and play days for a nominal fee. PGA Professionals may also customize additional programs that best fit their facility, resources and style such as 3-, 6-, or 9-hole scrambles, family golf tees and score cards or a family cookout to celebrate the day. "Take Your Daughter to the Course Week" and "Bring Your Kids to the Range" are two additional programs promoted during the month.
The PGA of America teams with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) to promote "Take Your Daughter to the Course Week" July 7-13 at participating facilities. The NGCOA developed Take Your Daughter to the Course Week in 2000 to support its members and encourage overall participation in golf, especially among girls and their families. The program is now promoted under the Play Golf America marketing umbrella. Participating golf courses across the country offer a free clinic for young ladies during the week and also offer complimentary green fees to a young lady accompanied by a paying adult. A total of 1,396 facilities participated in the promotion in 2007, an 11 percent increase from 2006, with 84,500 consumers participating, a 12 percent increase from last year. Of the 84,500 who attended the promotion, 38 percent were new customers and 29 percent were new or beginner golfers.
"This is the perfect opportunity for parents to introduce golf to their daughters and to bring the family together for a fun afternoon on the course," said Mike Hughes, c.e.o. of the NGCOA. "With a strong introduction like this, golf can become an important part of the family's time together."
2007 Take Your Daughter to the Course Week had a positive economic impact for both the host facilities and golf industry. Host facilities reported a median of $2,100 in revenues generated from golfers following their participation in the promotion, while the golf industry realized a financial impact of $1.4 million dollars.
Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range is a Golf Digest Publications and Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) initiative promoted under Family Golf Month Throughout July, participating facilities will provide special offers on range ball purchases for families and may also host family clinics, contest and other events. In its first year (2007), 177 facilities participated in the promotion.
"For our second year of this grass-roots family golf initiative, we are excited that more than 500 facilities are participating," said Steve di Costanzo, president of the GRAA. "For many young golfers, a golf range, practice or learning center is great and economical place to be introduced to the game of golf, to take lessons and even to buy their first set of clubs."
For more details, visit the Play Golf America Web site at PlayGolfAmerica.com.