Swing into Golf Festivals

Context, Intent and Target Group

Background Information

The KS2 and KS3  Swing into Golf Festivals were developed to introduce young people to the sport of golf in a fun, accessible, and inclusive way addressing a gap in early golf engagement opportunities for students at the primary and lower secondary levels. Traditional golf often requires specialised equipment and access to facilities, which can limit exposure for young people in school settings. These festivals aim to bridge that gap, providing a structured but enjoyable introduction to golf that aligns with physical education goals while promoting skill development, focus, and coordination.

The festivals are designed to cater to a range of skill levels, from beginners to those with prior experience within Tri-Golf or Golfway. Activities are crafted to build essential skills like hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and patience all within a supportive and encouraging environment. The festivals also promote teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence, fostering a positive attitude toward learning new sports and physical activities.

By integrating golf into the school sports landscape, these festivals help students discover a sport they may not have otherwise considered, encouraging lifelong engagement in physical activity and promoting the School Games values.

What was the aim of work?

The aim of the KS2 and KS3  Swing into Golf Festivals were to introduce young people to the sport of golf in a fun, accessible, and supportive environment, fostering an early interest in golf while developing core physical skills and confidence. The festivals aim to:

Expand Access to Golf: Provide students with an opportunity to try golf, a sport that many may not have experienced due to limited access or resources.

Promote Skill Development: Teach foundational golf skills e.g. putting, driving and accuracy in a way that builds physical coordination, focus and patience.

Encourage Lifelong Physical Activity (Physical Literacy): Spark interest in a new sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, promoting long-term engagement in physical activity.

Build Positive Values and Social Skills: Cultivate teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship aligning with the School Games values and creating a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere.

Through these aims, the festivals seek to provide young people with a positive experience of golf that emphasises personal growth, health and enjoyment.

Which outcome(s) did it focus on?

• 1. To advocate and position the delivery of the CMO daily active minutes for all young people, as a universal offer to maintain and grow school engagement
• 2. To ensure all competition has a clear intent and creates positive experiences based on the motivation, competence and confidence of the young people that need our support the most
• 3. To have a clear focus on secondary school engagement and transition points
• 5. To advocate and engage key stakeholders on the value of School Games to support local provision and improve the experience for young people and their families

Which expectation(s) did it meet?

• Developing a case study to show where you have made the most impact against local priorities, and through effective storytelling share your learning locally and nationally.
• Collaborating with key partners to inform the local and county offer to tackle inequalities and ensuring inclusive and safe practice.
• Developing strategies to improve knowledge and understanding of the School Games for key stakeholders.
• Work with schools to maintain and grow their active engagement in School Games.
• Planning for and increasing delivery of 60 active minutes for every child.
• Engage with a minimum of one secondary school to promote 60 active minutes practice, and share this within the county and where appropriate nationally.
• Work intensively with a minimum of two low engagement schools to improve their understanding, engagement and access of the School Games offer.

Community links

• Community sports clubs
• Leisure providers

Intent

The Swing into Golf Festivals were driven by a desire to broaden access to a typically less accessible sport for young people, particularly at the KS2 and KS3 levels. The intent was to create an engaging and inclusive introduction to golf that would allow students to explore a new activity in a supportive, skill-focused setting. The motivation stemmed from recognising that golf, while beneficial for physical and mental development, is often perceived as exclusive due to cost, equipment needs, and limited access to facilities particularly for younger students in school environments.

Identifying the Need

Feedback from PE teachers and students indicated that golf was an area of interest but one that many young people hadn’t had the chance to experience due to barriers like access and affordability. Additionally, golf was identified as a sport that could enhance coordination, focus, and patience, but that was currently underrepresented in schools.

Insight and Motivation

The festivals were motivated by a dual purpose: addressing the gap in golf opportunities for young people in schools and aligning with the broader goals of the School Games initiative to foster inclusivity, lifelong physical activity and diverse athletic experiences. The intention was to create an event that could cultivate interest and enthusiasm for a sport that can be played well beyond school, fostering both immediate engagement and potential long-term interest in physical activity.

Target group

• Ethnically Diverse Communities
• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

Implementation

The Swing into Golf Festivals took place over two days, with one day dedicated to KS2 students and the other to KS3. Each day welcomed schools for morning and afternoon sessions, ensuring that all participants had ample time to engage in a range of skill-based activities. The events were held at Stevenage Golf Club, providing an authentic setting for students to experience golf in a real-world environment.

Activities Delivered

The festivals featured a variety of interactive golf activities designed to introduce key skills in a fun, accessible way. The activities included:

Putting Sessions: Focused on precision and control, teaching students the basics of putting.

Chipping Challenges: Developed short-distance accuracy and aim, a crucial skill for golf success.

Swing School Session: Provided guidance on grip, stance and swing mechanics, allowing students to get a feel for a full golf swing.

Driving Range Session: Students practiced distance shots using a driver, engaging in fun, interactive games with the Trackman Range technology. This session allowed them to track their shots in real-time, adding excitement and helping them develop power and distance skills in a supportive, game-like setting.

These activities were designed to cater to all skill levels, ensuring that each student could participate fully and build confidence through achievable goals.

Who Delivered the Activities

The sessions were delivered by golf professionals from Stevenage Golf Club in partnership with Everyone Active. These professionals brought their expertise to each session, offering hands-on guidance and encouragement to help students grasp the fundamentals of each skill. The involvement of experienced golf instructors added a valuable level of authenticity and professionalism to the events, enhancing the overall learning experience for the young participants.

Timescales and Structure

The festivals were structured as full-day events across two consecutive days:

Day 1: Focused on KS2 students with sessions in the morning and afternoon.

Day 2: Designed for KS3 students with similar session times.

This format allowed for a structured and smooth flow of activities, with each school group rotating through the different skill stations.

Partnerships

The festivals were a collaborative effort between the Stevenage Sporting Futures Team, Everyone Active, and Stevenage Golf Club. This partnership allowed us to bring in specialised knowledge and leverage local resources, ensuring the event was both impactful and professionally run. Everyone Active played a key role in coordinating logistics with the golf club, while the golf professionals provided expert instruction, ensuring that students received quality, hands-on experience with each golf skill.

Through these efforts, the Swing into Golf Festivals successfully introduced students to golf in a welcoming, skill-focused environment, fostering a positive first experience with the sport.

Impact

The Swing into Golf Festivals successfully engaged a diverse group of students from KS2 and KS3 across Stevenage, reaching numerous schools over the course of the two-day event. The festivals provided opportunities for students who may not have previously considered golf as a sport they could participate in, introducing them to an enjoyable and accessible version of the game.

Who Was Engaged

Students:  By offering a unique, skill-focused experience, the event appealed to students who benefit from individual challenges rather than competitive sports environments.

Schools and Teachers: Teachers observed students learning new skills and engaging positively with the activities, many of which could inspire follow-up sessions in school PE programs.

EDC (Ethnically Diverse Communities) Students: The festivals emphasised inclusivity, providing students from ethnically diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to engage in a sport that has traditionally been less accessible to them. This intentional inclusivity addressed existing disparities and offered students the chance to experience golf in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Impact on Participants

The festivals provided students with an alternative to typical school sports, igniting interest and motivation in PE by showcasing a new way to engage in physical activity. The range of skill-based sessions—such as putting, chipping, and driving—allowed students of all abilities to participate meaningfully, build confidence and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Benefits Observed

Enhanced Motivation in PE

Students expressed enthusiasm about learning new skills in golf, with many gaining confidence in their abilities and feeling motivated to continue engaging in physical activity.

Increased Inclusivity in Sport

The inclusive environment made it possible for EDC students and those who might feel hesitant in traditional sports to fully participate. By providing an entry point into golf—a sport often dominated by white, middle-class demographics—the festival offered an impactful step toward greater representation and inclusivity in the sport.

Skill Development and Physical Literacy:

Through guided sessions by golf professionals, students gained a foundation in key physical skills, such as hand-eye coordination, balance, and precision, which can benefit their overall physical literacy and transfer to other sports.

Connection to Intent

The observed impact aligns directly with the intent of the work: to provide young people with a positive, accessible introduction to golf, fostering an appreciation for lifelong physical activity. By making golf accessible to all students, regardless of background, and by creating a fun, skill-focused experience, the Swing into Golf Festivals have encouraged students to see PE as a space for discovery, personal growth, and enjoyment.

Challenges

Logistics and Coordination

Challenge: Organising multiple skill stations across two days, managing equipment, and coordinating schedules with both the golf professionals and the participating schools required significant logistical planning.

Solution: To ensure a smooth experience, we collaborated closely with Everyone Active and Stevenage Golf Club to structure clear schedules and prepare each station in advance. Allocating specific times for school groups to arrive and rotate between sessions helped keep the event running smoothly.

Outcome: Despite the complexity, we successfully managed the event flow, with students able to participate in all activities without delays. This process reinforced the importance of detailed planning and strong partnerships.

Ensuring Inclusivity and Engagement for All Students

Challenge: Creating a welcoming environment for students from ethnically diverse communities (EDC) and varying skill levels was essential but challenging, given that golf is often perceived as exclusive or unfamiliar to many students.

Solution: We prioritized inclusivity by working with golf professionals who understood the importance of breaking down barriers to entry, ensuring they used encouraging language and adapted activities to make every student feel capable. Interactive games and a fun, non-competitive atmosphere helped to keep all students engaged.

Outcome: Students from all backgrounds participated fully and were engaged in the activities, with positive feedback highlighting the enjoyment of trying something new. We learned that offering adaptable, welcoming sessions is key to reducing barriers and expanding inclusivity in traditionally exclusive sports.

Student Skill Variation and Confidence Levels

Challenge: Students arrived with varying levels of physical coordination and confidence, which can sometimes be a challenge in sports that require technical skill like golf.

Solution: The golf professionals adapted their instruction based on each student's skill level, focusing on achievable steps and offering positive reinforcement. Using Trackman Range technology in the driving sessions helped students visualize progress and stay motivated, regardless of their starting level.

Outcome: Most students showed visible improvement in their skills and felt a sense of achievement by the end of the sessions. We learned that integrating technology and positive reinforcement is effective for building confidence, especially in sports where students may initially feel out of their comfort zone.

Weather and Outdoor Event Challenges

Challenge: As an outdoor event, the festivals were vulnerable to unpredictable weather, which could impact participation and the overall experience. Solution: We prepared contingency plans for possible weather disruptions, including temporary indoor options at Stevenage Golf Club to ensure activities could proceed regardless of conditions. Outcome: Fortunately, the weather remained suitable for both days. However, having a backup plan highlighted the importance of anticipating environmental challenges in outdoor events.

Achievements:

• Successfully introduced over 100 students to the fundamentals of golf in a supportive, structured environment.
• Created an inclusive experience that helped students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome in a traditionally exclusive sport.
• Fostered excitement around an alternative sport, motivating students to remain active in physical education.

Lessons Learned:

• Strong partnerships, detailed planning, and adaptability are essential for delivering high-quality, inclusive events.
• Incorporating technology, such as Trackman Range, can engage students by making their progress visible and relatable.
• Creating an environment of encouragement and accessibility helps break down barriers to participation, fostering a more inclusive atmosphere in school sports.

Reflecting on these challenges and achievements, we gained valuable insights into how to make future events even more engaging, inclusive, and resilient to potential obstacles.

Sustainability

To ensure that the Swing into Golf Festivals have a lasting impact, we are focusing on embedding golf as an accessible, ongoing activity within schools, as well as strengthening partnerships to support continued engagement with the sport.

Building a Sustainable Framework

Embedding Golf in PE Curriculum

We aim to support schools in integrating basic golf skills into their regular PE programs, providing resources and guidance to help teachers feel confident delivering golf activities themselves.

Annual Festivals and Follow-Up Events

By establishing the Swing into Golf Festivals as an annual event, we can continue to introduce new students to golf each year, building interest and skill over time. Offering follow-up sessions or skill workshops throughout the year could reinforce skills learned and sustain student interest.

Expanding Partnerships and Community Support

Strengthening Collaboration with Everyone Active and Stevenage Golf Club

Our partnership with Everyone Active and Stevenage Golf Club was pivotal to the success of the festivals. We plan to develop this collaboration by organizing regular golf-focused events at the club and offering ongoing training sessions for PE teachers. We are also exploring opportunities for students to access the golf club facilities outside of school hours, making the sport more accessible to families in the community.

Introducing Local Golf Ambassadors

Working with Stevenage Golf Club and local golf professionals to create a "Golf Ambassador" program could provide older students or enthusiastic young golfers with mentorship roles. This would help sustain interest in golf within schools while creating a peer-led support network for younger students.

Securing Funding and Resources for Equipment

Applying for Grants and Sponsorships

To make golf accessible to more schools, we are seeking funding for portable golf equipment that schools can use year-round. Portable putting greens, chipping mats, and modified golf clubs can allow schools to integrate golf activities into their PE classes without requiring extensive facilities.

Collaborating with Local Businesses

We are exploring sponsorship opportunities with local businesses to fund these equipment needs, as well as to support transportation costs for students to participate in future festivals.

Encouraging Continued Participation with Free Access to the Par 3 Course

To extend the impact of the Swing into Golf Festivals and encourage students to continue their golf journey, Stevenage Golf Club generously provided each participating student with one month of free access to their Par 3 course. This initiative allowed students and their families to return to the golf course at no cost, giving them a valuable opportunity to practice their skills in a real-world setting and further develop their confidence and interest in the sport.

Next Steps for Sustaining and Expanding the Program

Providing Teacher CPD in Golf Fundamentals

Building on the success of the festivals, we are planning to offer CPD sessions to train teachers in basic golf instruction, helping to sustain the program by empowering PE staff with golf skills.

Monitoring and Gathering Feedback

To refine and improve the program, we will gather feedback from students, teachers, and partners. Understanding what worked and where improvements can be made will ensure that future festivals and golf-related activities remain relevant, impactful, and engaging for all participants.

By maintaining strong partnerships, securing resources, and creating pathways for schools to adopt golf as a regular PE offering, we are working toward making the Swing into Golf initiative a sustainable part of physical education in Stevenage. 

Through these steps, we hope to provide lasting access to golf, ensuring that it continues to be an inclusive, inspiring, and enjoyable option for students.

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