Golf

Golf is a club and ball sport in which players hit a small ball into a series of holes on a course, in as few shots as possible. A traditional game of golf is played out over an 18 hole course, either as individuals or in a team.
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What is golf?

Golf in the School Games is delivered as a team sport through several formats, which include:

  • 8-game Golfway Skills Festival
  • 4-game Virtual Golfway Skills Competition
  • Golfway School Games Values Festival
  • My Personal Best ('My PB') Challege. 
The individual My PB  Challenge format can be played during the team-based Virtual Golfway Skills Competition or as individual events. Find out more about these formats in this toolkit.

The space required to set up the 4-game competition is the equivalent of a badminton court, or for the 8-game version, a netball court or small football pitch. All formats can be played indoors or outdoors and in confined spaces.

Find out more about how to play golf formats.

Equipment needed

  • Cones and/or foam skittles
  • Golf clubs (e.g. chipper, putter)
  • Tees
  • Targets (e.g. hoops, natural terrain)
  • Suitable space (either inside or outdoors)

Officially licensed Golfway equipment suitable for school competitions can be purchased from the Golf Foundation store.

A brief history of golf

In 1951, a recognition that the sport of golf was facing falling participation and a decline in playing standards prompted Jack Burroughs to consult with several interested parties; one of the solutions identified was to become active in schools.

With support from three-time Open Champion Henry Cotton, a lecture and demonstration event was held at two schools. The feedback from this event signalled they were on the right track, and from this the core activity of the Golf Foundation took shape - its aim: to make golf instruction in schools accessible via a process of fundraising and subsidy.

By 1953, 108 schools had registered for Golf Foundation instruction, which resulted in 3,500 young people engaging in the sport of golf.

Get involved

The School Games is inclusive to all young people and provides opportunities for everyone to get involved, either within school, against other local schools, or at county or regional level.

School Games Organisers

School Games Organisers (SGO) help schools coordinate appropriate competitive opportunities for all young people from Key Stage 2-4, to recruit, train and deploy a suitable workforce, and to support the development of club.

Sign up to find your local SGO

Quick and easy golf activities

We don't currently have any resources related to this sport.

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