The German Golf Federation (DGV) is strengthening its commitment to growing the game among young people through the expansion of its GolfSixes League — an innovative, team based format inspired by junior pathways common in major global sports.

Launched internationally in 2022 with support from The R&A, The Ryder Cup European Development Trust, the DP World Tour and the Ladies European Tour, the programme has quickly gained national recognition for its fun, inclusive and low pressure approach to competitive golf.

Germany’s golf system is structured regionally, and the DGV has strategically positioned GolfSixes League as an entry point for clubs not currently involved in existing junior programmes. This approach has enabled the federation to reach new communities and introduce golf to a wider and more diverse group of young players.

By 2025, the initiative had grown to 37 participating clubs, engaging around 500 juniors across local leagues. The DGV also staged a dedicated GolfSixes League event during the 2025 German Challenge by VcG on the Hotelplanner Tour, which proved highly popular with young participants and showcased the format to a broader audience.

Building on this momentum, the DGV aims to expand the programme to 40 clubs in 2026. A major step forward will be the integration of GolfSixes formats into schools participating in the Abschlag Schule programme, which reaches approximately 10,000 children and teenagers aged 6 to 18. From 2027, both the on course GolfSixes League and the off-course GolfSixes Mini League are set to be introduced in schools, creating a clear and accessible pathway from first contact with golf to structured team play.

The DGV reports that up to 200 clubs across the country have expressed interest in running junior initiatives such as GolfSixes League, signalling strong potential for nationwide expansion.

As Germany continues to modernise its junior golf landscape, GolfSixes League is emerging as a central pillar of the country’s long term strategy to make golf more accessible, social and appealing to the next generation of players.

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

With outdoor courses packed during the short summer season, Golfsambands Island (GSI) has identified the off season as a opportunity for growing and sustaining junior interest.

To put this into action, the federation has introduced a winter GolfSixes League, played entirely on simulators, using the GolfSixes League’s proven format of team-golf playing two person scramble over six holes.

This year’s GolfSixes League opened on 28 February with three more events taking place across Iceland this winter. The initiative forms part of the international expansion of GolfSixes League, supported by The R&A, The Ryder Cup European Development Trust, the Confederation of Professional Golf, the Golf Foundation, DP World Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

Participation on the Rise

A total of 42 juniors took part – significantly more than last year – competing in six teams across boys’ and girls’ divisions. Each team featured 6–8 players, all receiving colour coded caps, along with bottles, sports bags and GolfSixes League branded bag tags.
The event delivered impressive play, including two holes in one and several chip ins, adding excitement to the fast paced format.

Strong Support and a Celebratory Finish

Five PGA professionals assisted throughout the competition, helping guide players who are taking their first steps into competitive golf.

The day concluded with a Kahoot quiz, an awards ceremony and a pizza party, reinforcing the League’s emphasis on fun, friendship and confidence building.

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

The Czech Golf Federation has strengthened its drive to grow junior participation by rolling out the GolfSixes Mini League, an inclusive six hole team format designed for children and played with adapted clubs and balls suitable for school fields and sports halls.

Working closely with golf clubs across the country, the federation has helped establish strong links between clubs and nearby schools. Club coaches have trained teachers to run GolfSixes Mini League sessions and short game challenges, culminating in a national Mini League final for participating schools.

Schools that extend the experience by offering pupils opportunities to play at local golf clubs are also invited to take part in the federation’s annual GolfSixes League event.

The 2025 season delivered impressive results, with 500 children taking part in the GolfSixes Mini League and a further 50 pupils competing in the national schools’ GolfSixes League event. Building on this momentum, the federation now plans to expand the GolfSixes League in 2026 by welcoming international teams for the first time.

The continued success of the programme highlights the growing appetite for fun, accessible golf formats that introduce more children to the sport and strengthen pathways into club participation.

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

On 1 February 2026, GolfRSA hosted a GolfSixes League event for beginner golfers at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club as an activation alongside the Africa Amateur Championship, staged by The R&A at the same venue.

The initiative was designed specifically to introduce new players to the game in a welcoming and enjoyable environment during championship week.

The Texas Scramble format proved to be a highlight of the day, allowing participants to play alongside friends in a relaxed, team-based setting. For some of the kids, it was their very first time on a golf course. Parents were actively involved throughout the round, assisting with scoring, carrying bags, and walking the fairways, with many describing the experience as valuable bonding time with their children.

Last year, GolfRSA delivered 21 GolfSixes events and activations across South Africa, demonstrating strong and growing interest in the format. GolfSixes continues to play an important role in reducing the intimidation factor often associated with the sport, helping to remove barriers to entry and making golf more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for young beginner golfers.

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

GolfSixes League continues its rapid rise in Poland, with the Polish Golf Union reporting that both the GolfSixes League and the newly launched GolfSixes Mini League had their strongest season to date.

Across the 2025 GolfSixes League, seven tournaments were staged nationwide, attracting 149 young players representing 12 teams. A new individual registration system enabled parents to enter children directly, allowing organisers to broaden access to the series.

Each event featured unique medals and branded golf balls, helping create a fun, motivating atmosphere for young beginners. The standout stop on the calendar was Kraków Valley, where 30 juniors competed despite cold, rainy conditions.

The GolfSixes Mini League made its debut this year and exceeded all expectations. Supported by equipment from the international project, weekly school sessions led to a June tournament with 28 participants, while PGA Poland’s requirement for assistant coaches to host Mini League events helped drive national uptake.

In total, eight Mini League tournaments were held, drawing 161 children – far surpassing the initial target of 100 participants. All events were free to enter, and every child received a participation medal.

With both formats expanding rapidly, GolfSixes is now reaching more children and more facilities across Poland than ever before, strengthening the country’s junior golf pathway and building a vibrant foundation for the future of the sport.

With 750 registered juniors at Polish golf clubs, the 286 GolfSixes players will have a big positive impact on Polish junior golf.

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

[Article kindly provided by the China Golf Association]

In September, two highly anticipated GolfSixes League tournaments concluded successfully in Tianjin and Beijing respectively, bringing a series of spectacular sports feasts to golf lovers across the country.

Tianjin Stop: 72 Players Gather to Compete on the Green

On September 13th, the first Golfsixes tournament officially kicked off at Tianjin 27 Golf Club. On that day, 72 golfers from all over China, including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hainan, gathered here. Among them were both experienced senior golfers and energetic new-generation enthusiasts, all competing fiercely for their golf dreams.

Tianjin 27 Golf Club provided an excellent competitive environment for the tournament with its high-quality venue conditions and complete supporting facilities. During the competition, the players were in high spirits—every swing was accurate and powerful, and every putt was focused. On the green, white golf balls traced beautiful arcs in the air, and the players’ figures looked particularly vigorous under the sun. Whether it was a precise chip shot or a long-distance drive, all demonstrated the players’ superb skills and good psychological quality. After several rounds of intense competition, the players’ scores were neck and neck, pushing the on-site atmosphere to a climax time and again.

Beijing Stop: 40 Players Compete on the Same Stage, Continuing the Tournament’s Splendor

One week later, on September 20th, the excitement of the Golfsixs tournament spread to Beijing Jingshanhu Golf Club. Although there were 40 participants in the Beijing stop, the players’ enthusiasm showed no sign of abating, and the intensity of the competition was equally amazing. Players from all over the country, filled with love for golf and desire for victory, launched a new round of competition on this scenic course.

The unique terrain and well-designed fairways of Beijing Jingshanhu Golf Club posed no small challenge to the players, but also stimulated their stronger competitive potential. During the game, the players gave full play to their technical advantages, flexibly responding to various complex situations, and every swing embodied wisdom and strength. The audience on the sidelines constantly cheered for the players’ wonderful performances, with applause and cheers rising one after another, becoming a beautiful scene on the field.

Glory Moment: Top Three Winners Emerge from Each Stop, Exclusive Honors Salute Dedication

After several rounds of intense competition, the top three players of each stop were determined respectively in Tianjin and Beijing.

At the award ceremony of the Tianjin stop, when the host announced the list of winners, the three award-winning players had bright eyes filled with excitement and proud smiles on their faces. On the green of Tianjin 27 Golf Club, they won the unanimous recognition of the on-site audience and opponents with their outstanding skills, tenacious fighting spirit, and good sportsmanship.

In Beijing, the three outstanding players also gained their own moment of glory. From accurately tackling the complex fairways of Jingshanhu Golf Club to overcoming pressure to complete crucial putts, every moment of their performance left a deep impression on the onlookers. The cheers when the results were announced even resounded across the course.

Subsequently, the award guests of the two stops presented custom-made medals and exclusive trophies to the winning players respectively. These honors are not only a recognition of the players’ strength, but also the best reward for their continuous efforts to break through themselves on the road of golf. Many award-winning players said after the tournament: “We not only won honors in this competition, but also met many golf lovers from all over the country. We exchanged skills and shared our passion together, and the atmosphere was really great. We will continue to polish our skills in the future and strive to show a better version of ourselves in more tournaments.”

The successful holding of the two GolfSixes tournaments not only provided a platform for golf enthusiasts across the country to communicate and compete, but also further promoted the popularisation and development of golf in China. Let us look forward to more wonderful golf tournaments in the future and witness more golf lovers shining on the green!

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

Clubs and junior golfers sign up for GolfSixes leagues in large numbers and enjoy new end of season Open event

Scottish Golf is delighted to report a record-breaking season of GolfSixes League action in 2025 featuring juniors from all regions of the country.

GolfSixes League, the national programme that caters for young, beginner golfers by providing a fun introduction to team golf in a pairs scramble format, has proved to be smash hit ever since it was piloted as part of Scottish Golf’s National Junior Framework in 2018.

This year higher levels of participation (and fun!) were achieved through both the GolfSixes League core programme and also the new-look end of year Open.

During 2025:

• 145 clubs signed up for Golf Sixes events (up from 137 in 2024)
• 33 local leagues were in play (up from 30 in 2024)
• Around 2000 beginner boys and girls got involved in GolfSixes activities
• Remote clubs enjoyed GolfSixes through a new ‘online’ league initiative

The season ended with a bang when 250 juniors from all six regions took part in the inaugural Scottish GolfSixes Open at Blairgowrie Golf Club in partnership with PING.

The Open brought together teams from the 33 leagues in one setting for a two-day event that replaced the previous format of regional and national finals.

The aims of the Open were simple – to reach a larger number and more diverse group of clubs, including rural and island clubs, and host an inspiring national event that would create memories to last a lifetime.

As well as playing a GolfSixes tournament, the boys and girls were able to enjoy skills challenges and interact with their peers in other small-sided games on and off the course.

Royal Dornoch pipped North Inch Juniors to the Open title with Portlethen, Dunblane, Banchory, Annanhill, Kings and Airdrie golf clubs all among the prize winners in categories such as nearest the pin and the dartboard challenge.

Fraser Crawford, participation manager at Scottish Golf, said: “The 2025 GolfSixes season has been a brilliant success thanks to the combined efforts of the clubs, the team managers and volunteers and, of course, the super enthusiastic youngsters who took part in our activities.

“The aim of GolfSixes, backed by The R&A and Golf Foundation, has always been to provide a fun introduction to golf for boys and girls that supports their development and retention within the sport.

“Team golf is absolutely central to this.

“If they enjoy the team activities and experience at one of our development events, then learning the fundamental skills follows as a natural consequence.

“This year it was amazing to have 145 clubs from every corner of the country sign up to the GolfSixes League programme.

“We were also delighted to deliver an online league that enabled clubs in more remote or island areas to join in the fun and compete against other clubs for the first time.

“The real thrill for us as a participation team was watching 250 juniors gather at Blairgowrie for the Open and see how much fun they had.

“The smiles and the laughter heard over those two days tell a story that is hard to convey simply through numbers.

“The kids had a ball, and it truly was a national celebration of junior golf.

“The Open complemented perfectly the leagues that have been going on throughout the year.

“In past years, only local winners progressed to the regional and national finals. This new format opened up that opportunity for many more youngsters and clubs and was really well received.

“We’ll now look to build on this year’s success with our expanded plans for 2026 which aim to encourage more clubs to join up and more young people to get involved in our flagship programme which is now well established as a key part of the junior player pathway in Scotland.”

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

Excitement is building in Poland as preparations for the 2025 GolfSixes League season are well underway, with the first tournament teeing off in less than a month.

Led by the Polish Golf Union GolfSixes League Project Leader, Janusz Mojsiewicz, the initiative continues to grow in strength, combining grassroots development with a strong team ethos to give children their first taste of competitive golf in a fun and inclusive environment.

“GolfSixes is not just about competition – it’s about creating community, learning values, and helping young people take their first steps in the game,” said Mojsiewicz. “With the Mini League launching for the first time in 2025, we’re reaching even more kids in even more places, including schools and sports fields.”

The 2025 calendar features six qualifying events and a national final, and for the first time ever, the GolfSixes Mini League will bring shorter, introductory tournaments to schools and summer camps across the country. Participants will use plastic clubs and adapted courses, making golf accessible wherever young players are.

A strong partnership with the PGA of Poland is also central to the programme, as assistant instructors will help deliver events as part of their training – supporting both their own development and that of the next generation of golfers.

GolfSixes League is now active in more than 20 countries and continues to inspire children around the world to enjoy golf in a team setting, collect their first on-course experiences, and feel the thrill of representing a team – helping drive long-term participation and retention in the sport.

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy in Czech Republic has once again demonstrated its impressive commitment to junior golf, winning the 2025 GolfSixes League International Simulator Championship – while also securing second place.

The team of Josef Dubisar, Adam Hrdina, Krystof Kopcak, Jakub Voharcik, Lea Krehlikova and Jakub Zikes were victorious in an example highlighting the club’s dedication to fostering a cohesive, team-based environment that encourages children to both learn the game and grow together.

The championship saw teams from across 6 different countries get together and play a fun competition during the time of year when the days are short.

According to Martin Kopčák, General Manager of PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy, these successes stem from putting the emphasis on building a sense of community rather than solely focusing on hitting more balls. “We focus on creating a team and memorable experiences,” he notes. “That comfort and friendly atmosphere transfers into their game and behavior during tournaments.”

PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy runs an inclusive junior program for around 25 children who train at a performance level, with an additional 20 players moving through beginner to advanced tiers. The club’s collaboration with local schools is a crucial element in broadening golf’s appeal among children, with plans to expand these partnerships even further in the upcoming school year.

Support for junior players reaches far beyond the practice range. Kopčák received numerous messages from club members eager to see the children compete in the GolfSixes Championship, and congratulations poured in after their victory.

“Projects like GolfSixes strengthen relationships not only between children, but throughout the entire membership and beyond,” he says. Their consistent achievements showcase how teamwork, a supportive atmosphere, and robust junior programs can raise the bar for junior golf and inspire others around the world.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

On 13 October 2024, as the Hainan Open final round of the European Challenge Tour was in progress, a unique children’s golf event was held at the Sanya Dadonghai Shanhaitian JW Marriott Hotel.

Since its founding in 2017, the GolfSixes League children’s event has gained popularity across Europe. This tournament is designed for children, organised by schools or clubs, featuring a short six-hole format that introduces kids to the joy of golf in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Teams of two children compete to complete each hole with the fewest strokes, with the total score determining the winner.

That morning, 22 young golfers aged between 4 and 13 gathered at the hotel’s lush green lawn to take part in this novel event. They completed two par-3 holes, two par-4 holes, and two par-5 holes, with the best score being -10. Many of the players had previous golf experience, while others were playing for the first time. Through this event, the children not only learned more about golf and the importance of teamwork but also had great fun.

“This event was really innovative, unlike anything I’ve participated in before. For beginners, it’s easier to enjoy the game without feeling too rigid, and there’s a greater sense of achievement,” said Zhang Tianbin, a 13-year-old player who has been learning golf for nine years.

After the six-hole event, the children visited the Luhuitou Golf Club in Sanya to watch the final round of the Hainan Open European Challenge Tour. Guided by a commentator, they learned about flag reading, scorecards, and golf etiquette. Eventually, Danish player Hammers Braun won the Hainan Open in a playoff against Filipino player Wu Chunhui. The professionals’ performances surely planted seeds of aspiration in the minds of the young players.

Jerome Ng, R&A’s Director of Golf Development for the Asia-Pacific region, commented in an interview: “Our aim in promoting the GolfSixes League is to bring golf into cities and schools. The tournament is not limited by venues; as long as there’s flat ground and enough grass, children can easily experience golf up close. We’ve already tried this in Australia and other countries with great success. The format is well-liked by children, significantly boosting their interest in continuing to learn golf.”

The GolfSixes League’s essence lies in its unique six-hole format, as well as its flexibility and inclusiveness. The mini version of the league does not impose equipment restrictions; children can use plastic clubs and soft balls to enjoy golf anywhere and anytime.

This league was the first appearance of the GolfSixes League in China. The Sanya Dadonghai Shanhaitian JW Marriott Hotel provided the venue support, while the Hainan Golf Association, as the event’s organiser, played a crucial role in pioneering the event’s development in China. In the future, the European Tour and R&A will work with the China Golf Association to continue promoting this event across China, lowering the barriers for young people to experience golf, and enabling more children to enjoy and grow through the sport.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

This article originally appeared at https://cp.golf/4h7Dst1

The GolfSixes League international expansion gained momentum over the past 12 months with 20 countries now running the programme designed to encourage young people into playing, enjoying and remaining in the sport.

Six nations joined Great Britain & Ireland in 2022 and another eight nations started GolfSixes League pilots in 2023. With Iceland and the United Arab Emirates joining in 2024, a total of 20 countries now offer GolfSixes League to young people.

GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

With innovation as a guiding light for GolfSixes League, the first International Indoor GolfSixes League Championship was launched in the winter of 2023/24. Played on simulators, teams from six nations participated, with Dutch team Sluispolder winning ahead of the Swiss team from Links Leuk Golfresort and the Czech team from Golf Club Horehledy. Following this successful launch, the Icelandic Golf Union is piloting indoor leagues this year, also played on simulators, to attract and engage young golfers during their long off-season.

The Golf Foundation recently announced that in GB&I there will be more than 8,000 players from over 600 clubs participating in GolfSixes League. In other nations, where activity is still in the development phase, a further 270 clubs and over 4,000 players will participate in 2024.

Adding further excitement for participants, GolfSixes League activities will be held at a number of DP World Tour and LET events during the season.

GolfSixes League continues to deliver positive results with a 2023 survey of participants outside of GB&I showing that 39% of participants are girls and over half of the participants who were not already members of a golf club, became members during the year.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A said, “We are delighted to see GolfSixes League expanding across the globe, this growth is a testament to the fast-paced format which makes golf accessible for players and their parents. It is more important than ever to provide young people with healthy leisure time options, so we are entirely supportive of initiatives like the GolfSixes League which introduces golf in a fun and fast environment that inspires lifelong enjoyment of the sport.”

Ian Randell, Chief Executive of CPG, the project manager of the international roll-out of GolfSixes League and sole member of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, said: “The growth of this exciting initiative shows the value of, and enjoyment gained from, short-form team golf, especially for juniors and beginners. The rapid expansion is testament to what can be achieved when leading international bodies truly collaborate and work together to provide opportunities to national organisations, golf facilities and coaches across the globe. Together with the other partners, we look forward to continuing to grow participation and adding further new nations over the coming years.”

Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Head of Sustainability at the DP World Tour, added: “GolfSixes was born as a shorter tournament format on our 2017 season schedule that could engage new audiences with the game. Since then, it has taken on a life of its own and spread across the globe as an ideal way to get young people into golf. It has been fantastic to witness the collaboration between so many of golf’s key bodies and local grass-roots organisations to roll-out this expansion and we look forward to seeing this momentum continue in the years ahead.”

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

The top two players on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) had a final day showdown in the sun over the Duchess Course with Popert’s closing two-over-par 74 securing a winning total of one-over 217.

Englishman Popert, who has cerebral palsy, was edged out by Lawlor in last year’s inaugural Championship but this time the 25-year-old prevailed to secure a tenth G4D Tour title.

Ireland’s Lawlor, who has a rare condition called Ellis–van Creveld syndrome, put up a stout defence but was made to rue mistakes as he finished with a four-over 76 for 218.

Canadian Chris Willis was third on six-over 222 with the Australian pair of Wayne Perske and Lachlan Wood a stroke further back.

Lawlor, 27, held a slender one-shot lead overnight and doubled his advantage in the glorious conditions with a birdie at the opening hole. He found trouble on both par-3s on the front nine, taking a double bogey on the 2nd and the 7th, allowing Popert to lead by one after his birdie on the 8th.

But Popert had difficulties of his own on the demanding par-4 9th for a double bogey, with Lawlor also dropping a shot to leave them both at one-over heading into the back nine.

Popert’s birdie at the 10th and Lawlor’s back-to-back bogeys saw the world’s best player go three clear. A bogey from the leader at the next and brilliant birdies from Lawlor at the 15th and 16th suddenly brought the duo back level, before the world number two caught his approach shot heavy at the 17th which led to an untimely bogey. Popert coolly holed from two feet for a winning par at the last.

Established last year, the Championship – held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA (formally the European Disabled Golf Association) – is one of the most inclusive ever staged.

The G4D Open featured nine sport classes across multiple impairment groups, with 80 men and women players of both amateur and professional status, aged 15-68, representing 19 countries.

With Popert the Men’s Champion, Dutch player Daphne van Houten – the leading woman at 25th on the WR4GD – was crowned the Women’s Champion. Van Houten, 25, who suffers from scoliosis, finished 17 shots clear of England’s Aimi Bullock.

Both men’s and women’s winners were presented with new trophies to reflect the multiple threads woven among the players on their journeys to compete in The G4D Open.

A gross prize was also awarded in each sport class, covering various categories in Standing, Intellectual, Visual and Sitting.

The men’s gross prize winners were as follows:

• Intellectual 1: Cameron Pollard, Australia
• Intellectual 2: Thomas Blizzard, England
• Standing 1: Juan Postigo Arce, Spain
• Standing 2: Kipp Popert, England
• Standing 3: Brendan Lawlor, Ireland
• Sitting 1: Terry Kirby, England
• Sitting 2: Richard Kluwen, The Netherlands
• Visual 1: Paul O’Rahilly, Ireland
• Visual 2: John Eakin, England

The women’s gross prize winners were as follows:

• Intellectual 2: Erika Malmberg, Sweden
• Standing 1: Alessandra Donati, Italy
• Standing 2: Aimi Bullock, England
• Standing 3: Daphne van Houten, The Netherlands

Final scores from the sport classes can be viewed here.

Highlights from the Championship will be aired on Sky Sports Golf from Monday 27 May at 5pm and throughout that week.

The establishment of The G4D Open follows on from the inclusion of the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disability in the Rules of Golf and The R&A and USGA’s ongoing administration of the WR4GD.

Woburn continued its rich history of hosting amateur and professional championships with Final Qualifying for The Open from 2014 to 2017 and most recently the AIG Women’s Open in 2019, both played on the Marquess Course.

For more information please visit RANDA.ORG

The Grand Final of the Golf Sixes League, Abu Dhabi took place under the lights at the Yas Acres Golf Club on Saturday 20 April.

Novice juniors from golf clubs across Abu Dhabi were joined by those from the Emirates Golf Federation for a fun evening of competition. Playing across just six short holes, seven teams of six, paired up to compete in a two ball Texas Scramble stroke play format. The best two scores of the teams’ three pairs count towards their overall score.

After a fantastic evening of fun and good sportsmanship the team from Abu Dhabi City Golf Club emerged as the winners of Round four.

Following four rounds of the Golf Sixes League which commenced back in January, congratulations to Abu Dhabi City Golf Club who were crowned Overall Champions.

“Golf Sixes has been so fun! Playing golf with my friends and as a team was cool. I really want to play again next time!,” said Kristoff Davidson a ten year old golfer from Abu Dhabi City Golf Club.

“Kristoff has loved participating in Golf Sixes. The way the programme is designed, with the kids playing in teams, has really helped get them excited to play golf and made the whole experience less intimidating. Across the season you could see the kids golf improve and now my son is wanting to play more and more, ” said Kristoff’s Dad, Andrew Davidson.

Golf Sixes League is a development initiative, supported by The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation, which introduces young people to golf in a fun and inclusive environment, along with an added competitive element. Our thanks to all the stakeholders including our host venues, Yas Links GC, Abu Dhabi City GC, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and GC and Yas Acres GC, Team Managers, Golf Genius, Confederation of Professional Golf and Pro Sports International.

Round Four Results:

• 1st Abu Dhabi City Golf Club: +5
• 2nd Yas Links Golf Club: +8 (on countback)
• 3rd Saadiyat Beach Golf Club: +8

Nearest the Pin prize winners: Kristoff Davidson and Aaradyha Sharma

Final Overall Golf Sixes League Table:

• 1st Abu Dhabi City Golf Club: 50pts
• 2nd Saadiyat Beach Golf Club: 38pts
• 3rd Yas Links Golf Club: 35pts
• 4th Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club: 30pts
• 5th Yas Acres Golf Club: 26pts
• 6th Emirates Golf Federation: 17pts
• 7th Abu Dhabi Golf Club: 16pts

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GSL’s continued expansion around the globe has been supported by The R&A, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], the Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT), DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour – the leading bodies aligning in support of a development initiative for the first time.

For more information on GolfSixes League please visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague

A pilot season of the successful GolfSixes League has launched in Abu Dhabi in a continuing drive to encourage young people into playing, enjoying and remaining in the sport.

Golf Sixes League is a development initiative which introduces young people to golf in a fun and inclusive environment, along with an added competitive element.

The Abu Dhabi based GolfSixes League will see seven squads of 12 players, who rotate a team of six during each round, compete in a two ball Texas scramble stroke play format across six holes. The best two scores of the three pairs will count toward the team score.

The League will take place on three dates from January to March, with team winners declared after each round and an overall champion decided at the Grand Final in April.

The pilot season is a collaboration between The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation, which will field a team in the League alongside those from Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Acres Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club.

Neal Graham, Regional Development Manager – Middle East & India at The R&A, said, “GolfSixes League is a proven development initiative which encourages new golfers into the sport in a fun and competitive way. It allows young people to bring their new found skills from the lesson tee onto the course in an encouraging and inclusive team environment.

“Golf in the Middle East continues to grow and we are aiming to sustain this momentum by adopting initiatives that have been successful in other regions around the world. We hope the introduction of GolfSixes League to Abu Dhabi will deliver similar results for golf participation in the state as we have seen in Great Britain and Ireland, Europe and Africa.”

General Abdulla Alhashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, said, “The Emirates Golf Federation is delighted to be working with The R&A on the GolfSixes League in Abu Dhabi. We believe golf is a healthy activity for children and we support initiatives that encourage early adoption and long-term playing of the sport. We would also like to recognize and thank the golf clubs in Abu Dhabi for embracing the GolfSixes League and we hope your teams enjoy competing.”

The first round of the GolfSixes League took place on Saturday 27 January at Yas Links Golf Club on its Academy Course where the team from Abu Dhabi City Golf Club became the first winners.

Round two takes place on Tuesday 20 February at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club before Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club host the third round on Saturday 23 March.

The Grand Final will be played at Yas Acres Golf Club on Saturday 20 April where the first overall champions will be decided.

The GolfSixes League in Abu Dhabi is open to boys and girls of any age who are beginner golfers and do not hold a Handicap Index^®.

The expansion of Golf Sixes League into Abu Dhabi builds on the successful implementation of GolfSixes League in Europe by The R&A, the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG), the Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT), DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour.

GolfSixes League has also seen successful adoption across Great Britain and Ireland where it is administered by the Golf Foundation, England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

The shorter GolfSixes format continued to expand and introduce even more children following a successful pilot season in continental Europe. There are now 20 nations delivering GolfSixes League and GolfSixes Mini League, a marked increase from ten nations in 2022. Over 7,800 players took part at 660 participating clubs/facilities in 2023. In total, 43% of players became junior members in GB&I whilst being part of Golf Sixes League.

GolfSixes League is a proven pathway with 88% of children who took part in Great Britain and Ireland last year indicating they would like to play more golf as a result of participating in the programme.

For more information on GolfSixes League please visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague

This article originally appeared on dpworldtour.com

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Wil Besseling and Lars van Meijel were on hand to support the running of a GolfSixes League event taking place in advance of the KLM Open as the popular format continues to be introduced to more and more young people.

Ahead of the 103rd edition of the Netherlands’ national open this week at Bernardus Golf, the two home stars joined a local coach on Tuesday in organising playing opportunities for youngsters with little golfing experience.

GolfSixes League started as a grassroots version of the short-form GolfSixes professional team event, which the DP World Tour created in 2017.

It has seen great success across Great Britain and Ireland where it is administered by the Golf Foundation, England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

Since last year, GolfSixes League, and its off-course version GolfSixes Mini League, has expanded to also run across a host of other European countries, including the Netherlands.

“This is a great way with the KLM Open to get [children] involved in golf,” said Besseling, who is among those flying the home flag this week.

“Hopefully it is a good start and can help to get them to play golf and have some fun together with other kids.”

Since its inception, the number of participants in Great Britain & Ireland alone has grown to over 6,000, from 524 clubs forming part of 117 leagues in 2023.

GolfSixes League pilots were run in the Netherlands in 2018 and 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic put a pause to them.

Reflecting on the interest of the short format, European Challenge Tour winner Van Meijel added: “18 holes is almost five hours these days and for kids it is not really appealing.

“But it is always really good to play with friends and have a group of kids that you grow up together with and play together. That is the reason I started playing golf.”

The programme is led by the PGA and supported by the Dutch Golf Federation in Holland ensuring the project has become a great success.

In 2022, GolfSixes was played in 5 regions in Holland with 25 teams, involving 170 children, with the aim of increasing that to 250 kids this year.

For more information on GolfSixes League please visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague

The popular GolfSixes format is continuing to expand and introduce even more young people to a shorter format of the sport following a successful pilot season in continental Europe.

Young people from 75 golf clubs participated in the 25 GolfSixes Leagues during the 2022 pilot season in Belgium, Germany, Holland, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the initiative is being developed further so that young people in Czech Republic, Finland, Malta and Slovakia can also participate in 2023.

In addition, a pilot of the GolfSixes Mini League will also take place in these participating countries. The Mini League is designed to bring GolfSixes into schools and other recreational settings without the need for a golf course.

Using soft equipment, GolfSixes Mini League is played across a temporary course comprising of six holes which can fit into the dimensions of a football pitch, making it perfect for non-golf facilities short on space or as an indoor activity during cold weather months. Children practice and play in teams which creates a fun and relaxed environment for them to enjoy their first experience of golf.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A said, “GolfSixes is a fun and accessible short-form of golf and we are pleased to see that the pilot in Europe attracted young people in good numbers last year. We want to build on that momentum by expanding its reach into new countries so that more young people have opportunities to enjoy golf and its health benefits with family and friends.”

Ian Randell, CEO of the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] added, “The success of the pilot activations in Europe has shown that GolfSixes League provides the perfect solution for young people to be able to progress on to the golf course in a fun and engaging way whilst enjoying the social and competitive enjoyment of playing as part of a team. We are extremely pleased that the collaboration internationally has worked so well, whilst national activities have also proven to show how great work can be done when PGAs and PGA Members, Federations/Unions, clubs, etc. all work towards the same goals.”

First launched in Great Britain and Ireland, GolfSixes League is a development initiative which introduces young people to golf in a fun and inclusive environment as they practice and play in teams, along with an added competitive element.

It enables young people to progress from using driving ranges or practice facilities as beginners to playing golf in teams of six over six holes using a two-person scramble format on courses adapted to their skill levels.

Along with the positive results seen in continental Europe last year, GolfSixes League continues to prove popular in Great Britain and Ireland under the administration of the Golf Foundation, England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

In 2022, more than 500 golf clubs participated in a GolfSixes League which resulted in a 47% increase in affiliated membership. Plans are in place to expand to more than 750 golf clubs in 2023.

Golf Sixes expansion into Continental Europe has been supported by The R&A, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], the Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT), DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour – the leading bodies aligning in support of a development initiative for the first time.

For more information on GolfSixes League please visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague

The survey is anonymous, takes approx. 10 minutes, and will allow the voices of PGA Members to be heard alongside other coaches from around the world. PGA Members that complete the survey will also be provided with information on the findings of the research when available.

PhD student, Callum Ferguson, said, “As part of this four-year project, my supervisors and I are working on a study that looks to understand how coaches perceive and respond to their players’ mistakes in practice. This is an important area of research, as previous studies have shown that the frequency with which players experience errors in practice can have lasting positive and negative effects on their game. As such, we are interested to hear PGA Members’ opinions on this matter that we are gathering through this survey.”

Find Out More and Complete the Survey at https://cp.golf/3ZvZm0j

We also get updates from across our Member Countries, find the perfect way to set up a golf event with Golf Genius, reveal the latest in the 2023 CPG event schedule, and much more.

THE VALUE OF THE PGA: TO MEMBERS AND GOLF

EXPANDED GOLFSIXES INSPIRES MORE YOUNG PEOPLE IN EUROPE INTO PLAYING GOLF

SPHERES OF INFLUENCE: WHY PGA PROFESSIONALS ARE THE GO-TOS FOR GOLF TRAVEL

CPG MEMBER COUNTRY UPDATES

RYDER CUP: YEAR TO GO CELEBRATIONS

THE CPG VIRTUAL SERIES POWERED BY TRACKMAN RETURNS THIS WINTER

5 KEY BENEFITS OF THE EDUGOLF PROJECT FOR PGAS & PROS

WHY BALLMARK REPAIR SHOULD BE TOP OF YOUR AGENDA WITH PITCHFIX

WHAT’S ON YOUR JUNIOR GOLF COACHING & DEVELOPMENT MENU WITH GOLPHIN

GOLF SHOP BY GOLF GENIUS – WIN A 6-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION

#IGPN 68 is live and delves deeper in to the value of PGAs to Members and all of golf, the role of the PGA Pro as golf’s ultimate influencer, what the #EDUGOLF Project means for PGAs, and features from @PINGTourEurope, @GolphinForKids, @PitchfixUSA, @golfgenius_emea & much more!

— Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] (@cpg_golf) November 22, 2022

READ IGPN 68

To ensure a bright future for the game, junior golf engagement should be at the forefront of PGA’s and PGA Professional’s minds. The CPG’s guiding principles of Togetherness, Collaboration and Development remain at the heart of the organisation – a view that is shared by CPG Partner, GolPhin who believe that the key to increased junior golf engagement is innovation and collaboration.

GolPhin, based in Scotland, the Home of Golf, explain their purpose as being able to inspire golf’s next generation via product innovation, education, wellbeing programmes and age-appropriate competition, in a way that is designed to help children and young people realise their full potential.

The business and development case for PGA Professionals supporting junior golf is undisputed but is also often overlooked or something that is pushed towards solely trainee Professionals rather than being an important part of any PGA Professional’s thought process.

So how can a PGA Professional, of any ability/level, ensure they are doing what they can to support junior golf and foster the next generation of players?

GolPhin suggest the following key areas to keep in mind:

• Recruitment – Making golf an exciting proposition to kids.
• Induction – Easy access and induction in to the sport, reducing areas of friction or barriers to entry. For example seamless sign-up to a PGA Pro’s system such as MyPathway2Golf with video guides to support use of the GolPhin app, making it as easy as possible to engage.
• Fun – Instilling a sense of fun and play fro the very beginning through the use of games, quizzes and challenges to inspire junior to practice anywhere, all through a lens of a growth mindset.
• Progression – Clear ability to show progress of learning and skill levels motivating juniors to attain the next level and reward active junior golfers.
• Retention – Encourages kids to continuously enjoy themselves, aim for the next level and become active members of a facility.
• Interaction – Continue engagement outside of purely the lesson/learning environment. GolPhin’s mobile app, for example, encourages safe, easy and secure communications with kids and their families and your facility’s PGA Professionals.

Many will know GolPhin for their design and manufacture of innovative kinds golf clubs – but they have also developed the MyPathWay2Golf digital platform that builds on the previously mentioned principles to help PGA Pros / coaches and golf facilities increase junior participation and retention at their venues…

The MyPathway2Golf Mobile App – Access to the app includes functions for both PGA Pro/facility and the junior golfer themselves:

• High quality instructional videos, both pre-installed and the ability for PGA Pros to upload their own.
• Skills challenges to monitor your students’ progress.
• Class scheduling and management with calendar sync to keep on top of your sessions.
• Manage students’ progress through leaderboards and individual oversight of students’ results.
• Customisable course creation and content to encourage practice and skill development.
• Direct messaging from coach to student, allowing instant updates and remote coaching guidance, all helping to encourage engagement between lessons, etc.
• Personalised profiles for students to ensure valuable engagement and interaction and monitoring of progress through GolPhin’s six levels of attainment

Users of the system also have access to a Learning Resource E-Book, including:

• Fun games and skills challenges, safety instruction and advice on practicing on the course and at home.
• Plan your junior coaching sessions through a structured format including a variety of games to keep kids engaged, both indoors and outdoors.

Ensuring the key areas mentioned earlier on are a part of a PGA Pro’s work is key and the MyPathway2Golf system can support this by:

1. Helping PGA Pros and golf club management track how many kids are participating and are actively involved at a facility.
2. Encouraging parents / guardians to interact with their kids’ experiences and progress, as kids upload their achievements on the MyPathway2Golf app.
3. Providing PGA Pros, volunteers and parents with new ideas on fun games to play, how to track kids’ progress and improve communications with their students.
4. Keeping kids focused and engaged with exciting skills challenges, on course practice, regularly updated quizzes and class leaderboards.
5. Supporting the development of a facility’s junior and adult membership, or a PGA Pro’s client list, by creating strong and long-term connections.

Ensuring you understand the importance and value of the next generation of golfers, and how you can work with them effectively to ensure valuable and fun experiences where they keep coming back for more, is vital in ensuring the long-term health of facilities and for the sport overall.

Fun and comprehensive packages of resources, as well as 45-minute webinar presentations, are available for PGA Professionals, managers, junior organisers, captains etc. by contacting GolPhin at info@golphin.co.uk.

VISIT GOLPHIN.COM

Following on from the success of its launch in 2017 in the UK by the Golf Foundation, GolfSixes League, backed by a host of organisations including The R&A, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour, will involve an estimated 10,000 young people across eight countries and over 950 golf clubs participating by the end of 2024.

The league provides juniors the chance to play in a competitive golf environment with other local clubs and involves playing six holes in pairs using a highly inclusive Texas Scramble format, powered by bespoke Golf Genius Software.

When it comes to a league or organisation set up, Golf Genius provides a solution to reduce administration time, whilst increasing the connection and communication that organisers can have with participants. Through interactive digital messaging, Golf Genius offers GolfSixes League a personalised and engaging way of running events to keep juniors coming back – with parents highly engaged in the process.

“GolfSixes League has gone from strength to strength across the UK over the past five years, and we are proud to have been selected to work on this initiative as it rolls out internationally. We facilitate millions of golf rounds each year across a wide variety of formats, so it is great to showcase our leagues solution with an activity committed to offering a unique experience for those just starting their golfing journey,” commented Craig Higgs, Managing Director of Golf Genius International.

Customised user forms, online training guides tailored to the League, live scoring technology and interactive communication channels are just a few of the ways that Golf Genius are providing a solution to creating a memorable junior community.

Golf Genius Partner, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], join a leading group of bodies that are working together in this way for the first time:

Christiane Stenger, CPG’s Director – GolfSixes, Community Coaching and Tournaments; “We are pleased to be working with Golf Genius, who have created a solution that facilitates both the on-course Leagues and off-course GolfSixes Mini League. As it has launched internationally this has allowed for a smooth and efficient implementation of the GolfSixes League.”

The Golf Genius solution will be used across GolfSixes League in countries including, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

 For more information about Golf Genius, please visit GolfGenius.com/tm and get in touch at intlsales@golfgenius.com. For more information on GolfSixes League visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague or contact cs@cpg.golf.

The PGA of Belgium’s modernisation of coaching work and services seminar with Paul Kaster, Kayleigh Franklin and Dr. Nick Molinaro is open to all PGA Members.

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Modernisation of coaching work and services seminar with Paul Kaster, Kayleigh Franklin and Dr. Nick Molinaro

When: 3-day seminar, Wednesday 26 October – Friday 28, 10am-5pm (Possibilities of coming to one day only)

Where: Royal Bercuit Golf Club, Belgium

Price: PGA Members – 335€ or 125€/day

Delivery Language: English

Major education seminar of the season where we hope to see as many pros as we can, as we will be covering the modernisation of the coaching work and establishing how to build ones coaching services in these modern days and reach international appeal!

With special intervention by Kayleigh Franklin (TPI level 3) on site on the 26th and by Dr. Nick Molinaro by video conference.

All 3 days will have specific contents that are possible to follow day by day, as you will be able to discover in the following schedule:

Day 1:

1. Paul & Kayleigh Franklin Introduction
2. The Assessment Process & Live Lesson with a Junior Anthony Selects (?)
   1. How Paul starts with a client
   2. Kayleigh’s Role in the Assessment
3. Creating a Plan
   1. Paul determines plan based on the player’s goals, movement capabilities, apparent “golf IQ.” Plan takes into account fitness issues if Kayleigh is able to see the client first.
   2. What comes first?
   3. If Kayleigh didn’t see the client first, I conference with her and her team afterwards regarding fitness evaluation and player’s goals. Speed potential is a big subject for anything we are doing.

Day 2:

1. Morning:
   1. Paul works with player who was subject of the evaluation.
   2. Putting evaluation with the same player before launching into golf swing.
   3. Discussion of what we would do on the course if playing holes is possible as part of the evaluation.
   4. Fitness program is something they will get started on as we begin to work on golf swing things.
   5. Early golf swing work should be simple, especially if there are mobility or stability impediments that show up in the fitness screening and/or a grip change is involved in the early stages.
   6. Grip, set up and pivot/post changes can be extremely productive but also can go against a player’s DNA if they have been playing a certain way for a while. These changes need to be discussed gradually and carefully based on the player’s mental/emotional makeup and state. For the coach to observe and decide. The art of coaching.
2. Afternoon:
   1. Club fitting and it’s role in the process
   2. Performance can be bought
   3. Shoes
   4. Ball fitting
   5. Zoom Presentation by Dr. Nick Molinaro
   6. Paul discusses his mental coaching styles, who he has learned from and worked with including Dr. Nick, Bobby Foster (Golf Mental Workshop) and Dr. Rick Jensen.
   7. Discussing process oriented thinking with players early on sets the stage for how you function and communicate as a coach.

Day 3:

1. Morning:
   1. Putting
   2. Playing Lessons & On Course Assessment
   3. Using Data – GameForge & Arccos
2. Afternoon:
   1. Developing Practice Plans
   2. Focus on Skills
   3. Q&A

For more information or questions contact Director of Education of the PGA of Belgium, Anthony Otterström, at anthony.otterstrom@pga.be.

Click For More Information & Detailed Schedule

Click To Register

GolfSixes League will expand across Europe in 2022 in a continuing drive to encourage young people into playing, enjoying and remaining in the sport.

The expansion is a collaboration between The R&A, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], the Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT), DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour – the leading bodies aligning in support of a development initiative for the first time.

GolfSixes League has seen great success across Great Britain and Ireland where it is administered by the Golf Foundation, England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

In 2021, across GB&I, 386 golf venues offered 74 GolfSixes Leagues in which 5252 players participated with 30% of those being girls. Following on from the GolfSixes League there was a 35% increase in junior membership at participating clubs.

GolfSixes League, and its off-course version GolfSixes Mini League, will now expand in 2022 to also run in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

An estimated 8,000 young people will experience the sport this year thanks to GolfSixes League, which will be played across the ten countries with around 750 golf clubs participating in events this summer.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “We are very supportive of initiatives that encourage young people into golf and be retained within the sport and GolfSixes League has already shown itself to be a popular and enjoyable short-form activity with both young people and their parents.

“It is important to build on the early momentum gained in Great Britain and Ireland and introduce the initiative to more countries throughout Europe so that more opportunities to enjoy playing golf in this format are offered to young people and they can experience the health and social benefits that we know it can provide to them.”

Ian Randell, Chief Executive of the CPG, said, “This Project between international organisations with local delivery via PGAs and National Federations is a great example of the collaboration that is possible within our sport.

“We have long been advocates of short-form team golf, in both an on-and off-course environment, as a fantastic vehicle to promote both the values and enjoyment of the sport and encourage participation in a quick, fun format, particularly amongst juniors and beginners. We are excited to be able to drive this project forward internationally and demonstrate the success that can be achieved when national and international organisations work together.”

Ben Cowen, DP World Tour Chief Tournament Business Officer, said, “One of the main aims of the GolfSixes League is to bring golf to new and younger audiences, and what better way to engage young people than to get them involved in playing this exciting new short format.

“Using the platform of the DP World Tour with the innovation, inclusivity, and global reach it already has within the game, the expansion of the GolfSixes League to more European countries further highlights the success of the concept and we hope to continue building on this momentum to encourage more junior golfers to enjoy our game.”

Mike Round, Director of Administration at the Ladies European Tour, added, “The development of the GolfSixes Leagues demonstrates how golf is introducing innovative and engaging formats that are reaching new audiences and attracting new participants. The positive impact of GolfSixes Leagues has already been proven and it is particularly encouraging to see how the initiative is being used to bring more girls and young women into the sport.

“As part of our commitment to the growth of GolfSixes Leagues across Europe, we’ll be encouraging our players to promote and support the initiative in their home countries.”

GolfSixes League is a development initiative which introduces young people to golf in a fun and inclusive environment, along with an added competitive element.

In a short time period, it enables young people to move from beginners on driving ranges or practice facilities to playing golf in teams of six, playing over six holes, using the two-person scramble format on courses adapted to their skill levels.

Evidence from GolfSixes League in Great Britain and Ireland has clearly demonstrated that practicing and playing in teams is a successful way to engage young people and their parents with the sport.

A GolfSixes League digital platform has been developed by Golf Genius to easily enable participating golf clubs to implement and manage their League as it is introduced to other countries this year.

For more information on GolfSixes League please visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The PGA TOUR and TrackMan announced on the 2nd Feb they are expanding golf’s most advanced club and ball tracking and tracing solution. By combining TrackMan’s cutting-edge Doppler Radar and club and ball tracking technology, TOUR events will have tracing capabilities for every golf shot hit during the season. This will significantly enhance how fans experience the world’s best golfers by providing more detail for television, OTT and digital platforms.

This agreement will double previous ball-in-motion tracing capabilities on the golf course, allowing nearly every shot to be traced and automatically shared with television and OTT partners and across TOUR digital platforms such as PGATOUR.COM and the PGA TOUR app. The arrangement with TrackMan begins in 2022 for PGA TOUR LIVE and TOUR digital platforms, while the domestic television partner agreement begins in 2023. This expansion will immediately offer fan enhancements such as the visualization of ball flight paths for shots inbound to the green in TOURCast.

“We’re excited to increase the volume and depth of tracking and tracing for every shot on the PGA TOUR,” said Ken Lovell, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President Golf Technologies. “TrackMan’s sensors will substantially increase content available for analysis and initiate the development of new insights, while creating the opportunity for us to develop innovative visualizations for fans to view all the incredible shots on TOUR.”

Fans will see more information beginning in 2022 on how and why the ball moves and arrives at a certain position. This is achieved by using TrackMan technology to capture club speed, ball speed, curve, landing spin, launch angle, spin rate, spin axis, apex, carry and more. The advanced aerodynamic models can also determine the effects of wind, weather, and altitude on a shot so that fans can understand how a shot was impacted by environmental factors.

In addition to doubling the collection of radar and tracing information, the new system will substantially increase the range and sensitivity of the content that will now be layered with video for use on any TOUR media platform.

Klaus Eldrup-Jorgensen, co-founder and CEO of TrackMan, commented “We have been working closely with the PGA TOUR for more than 15 years, to accurately measure and report data on club delivery, ball launch, ball flight, and tracers for the best players in the world. We are proud to be chosen to implement our new solutions with the PGA TOUR, which will ultimately include all shots for all players. The future of golf will be told in new and innovative ways, the fan experience will elevate to a new level, and the stories about how good these guys play is just beginning.”

The club and ball tracking and tracing solution has become a valuable element to “ShotLink powered by CDW,” the TOUR’s real-time data collection and scoring system. As the TOUR and CDW continue to innovate the acclaimed scoring system that has benefited tournaments, broadcast partners, players and fans in countless ways over the years, the TrackMan system contributes to the automated data collection efforts by allowing ShotLink to auto-trigger on shots without input from a person.

The new technology being deployed expands tracking capabilities from tee boxes only to shots hit from the fairway and around the green, where the system determines the exact 3D position of the ball at any point in its flight. The TrackMan technology has the ability to lock onto a ball that starts behind the trees and only becomes visible to the radar halfway through its flight. It’s able to accurately track balls up to 400 yards in any conditions; rain, fog, sunrise, and sunset.

For a typical TOUR event, around 40 units are placed around the course to track shots with advanced radar and camera units on tee boxes and greens to capture final resting position.

TrackMan also recently developed a mobile system that will be used for the capture of radar and tracing information from the fairway and will automatically integrate into TOUR media platforms, which is aided by AWS, the TOUR’s Official Cloud Provider. There are no cables or connections with the mobile system, which adds very little weight for the operator. The TOUR is testing the mobile system for expanded future use on PGA TOUR Champions, the Korn Ferry Tour and in other executions.

The club and ball tracking and tracing system will utilize AWS Fargate, Media Services, and numerous other AWS products to process and deliver radar and tracing on every shot in nearly real-time. The full suite of AWS products will allow TrackMan to reduce their onsite footprint and allow fast and easy access to the devices and information from anywhere around the world.

ABOUT PGA TOUR

By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.

The PGA TOUR, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, co-sanctions tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada. Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world’s best players, hailing from 28 countries and territories outside the United States (90 international members). The PGA TOUR has long-term domestic distribution partnerships for broadcast coverage on CBS, NBC and Golf Channel and video streaming service on ESPN+. Internationally, PGA TOUR coverage is available across 200+ countries and territories in 27 languages via 43 local broadcast partners, in addition to the digital streaming service platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving, and to date, tournaments across all Tours have generated more than $3.37 billion.

Fans can follow the PGA TOUR on PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, on the PGA TOUR app and on social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram (in English, Spanish and Korean), LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo, Toutiao, Douyin and LINE.

ABOUT TRACKMAN

Over the past 20 years, TrackMan has, in collaboration with the best golfers, teachers, and equipment manufacturers, developed solutions that provide the most accurate, real-time data on ball collision, launch, flight, and landing. The technology has helped professionals and amateurs unleash their potential in golf and changed how golf is taught and experienced.

More than 1,000 tour players have invested in TrackMan technology for their personal use, with over 90 of the Top 100 players in the world using TrackMan for club delivery and ball flight analysis, shot testing, and optimizing their equipment.

Today, TrackMan solutions include the world’s finest launch monitor, the leading simulator and virtual golf engine, and the most accurate driving range solution. TrackMan’s 360 solution is used by many of the world’s finest golf clubs featuring TrackMan 4 for instruction and club fitting, TrackMan Range for ball flight tracking on the range, TrackMan Simulator for Indoor Golf, and Virtual Golf allowing a fully rendered version of their golf course(s) on all TrackMan platforms.

TrackMan A/S, headquartered in Vedbæk, Denmark, featuring the largest R&D team in the golf industry, is the developer and owner of TrackMan technologies, which include a comprehensive patent portfolio of granted patents and pending patent applications.

CONTACT: Mark Stevens, PGA TOUR, 904-861-5112, markstevens@pgatourhq.com

To ensure this safe environment, the PGA of Canada has updated its code of professional practice and developed the PGA Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Sport Policy, which includes education and policy that will further strengthen our members ability to provide a respectful and welcoming environment for golfers throughout the country.

“As leaders in the golf industry, we must ensure the safety of all of those who enjoy the game throughout the country,” said PGA of Canada President Teejay Alderdice. “The Safe Sport framework developed will serve as a guide for our association to follow and infrastructure we encourage facilities to implement into their policies.”

What Is Safe Sport?

Safe Sport refers to the process and measures implemented to protect and effectively care for the health, well-being, and human rights of all participants in the PGA of Canada community, especially children and youth. Individuals participating in all disciplines of golf in Canada, including athletes, coaches, officials, sport administrators, volunteers and others should be able to engage in a sport environment free from abuse, discrimination and potential harm.

This Safe Sport webpage includes a group of specific policies that collectively promote a Safe Sport environment by communicating expected standards of behaviour. These policies also enable consistent, immediate, appropriate, and meaningful action should any issues arise.

Should any individual wish to report any instance of misconduct or maltreatment, they may do so directly through the PGA of Canada’s independent Third Party as identified in this set of Policies. The Case Manager will then refer to this document to determine the appropriate forum and manner to address the report.

We encourage all PGA of Canada members and anybody involved with golf in Canada in any form to read the PGA Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Sport Policy to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all golfers and athletes.

In addition, there are a few great PGA of Canada courses and resources available to members who would like to learn more about Safe Sport and implementing it at your facility: Respect in the Workplace, Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders, CAC Safe Sport Training.

The successful CPG Podcast, which has provided listeners with regular insight and conversations around golf, professional golf and the golf industry, has been relaunched into a new and exciting Podcast Show.

As part of its long-term education strategy and in response to the current challenging climate PGAs and their Members are facing, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] have announced a new series of free online Masterclass webinars.

The ‘CPG Masterclass Series’ includes a range of online talks and presentations that cover a variety of subjects and topics, delivered by world-class, industry leading experts from their respective fields.

CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, commented: “Like most organisations and individuals, PGAs and PGA Members are being affected in a number of ways by the COVID-19 virus. Whilst policies and guidelines differ across our member countries, we are taking a number of steps and introducing new initiatives to emphasise Togetherness and the sharing of knowledge and information, at a time when being part of a community is more important than ever.

“The CPG Masterclass Series is just one of these steps and we will contain to work with the leaders from across our Member PGAs to roll out others over the coming weeks and months – Stay Safe, Stay Learning”.

Through this increased sharing of knowledge and thought-provoking content, the Masterclass Series embodies the CPG’s guiding principles of Togetherness, Collaboration and Development, and aims to provide both new and supplementary golf education resources for the benefit of CPG Member Country PGAs and PGA Professionals alike.

The initial schedule of speakers includes a focus on the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on golf with Dr Andrew Murray and Dr Roger Hawkes, Project Leaders for the Golf & Health initiative, communication science and its relation to golf coaching with Marie Jeffery, Marketing and student relationship for golf instructors with Jose Vicente Perez, structuring practice and lessons with Adam Young, social media for PGA Professionals with Emma Ballard, along with a variety of other content already scheduled.

Regular announcements of upcoming webinars will be released in due course, with an aim to provide frequent, accessible sessions to enable as many PGA representatives and PGA Professionals to attend.

Further details on the series including the full schedule, speaker line-up, and webinar access details can be found online at cp.golf/masterclass.

If you would like to take part and deliver a webinar then please contact tb@cpg.golf or use the form available on the Masterclass hub page.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Created by a panel of experts in junior golf and golf development, countries around the world will be able to apply for and run the programme tailored to their circumstances.

It is a book, a workshop resource, and an educational programme. It is an attempt to challenge the status quo within golf coaching and the game of golf, and to arrest declining membership and participation numbers across the globe.

Parents in Golf is a response to this worrying trend, through focusing on parents and their children – together forming a crucial interest group for golf.

The programme aims to explain and guide the relationship between the coach, the parent and the child through the game of golf. For the parent, the resources will help them better understand their children and the various ways that golf can aid both their personal development.

Parents in Golf wants to help the golf club and Club Professionals to become leaders in making golf a true “game for all” and enable them to actively promote golf to interested parties, rather than wait for customers to arrive at their doorsteps.

The programme will help in shaping an appropriate welcome, with the necessary skills to ensure that we are increasing our numbers of participants and developing the game. The aim is not just to develop the next star, but to develop the next golfer.

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Parents in Golf was created by a team of: Marie Jeffery (Austria), Justin Walsh (Germany), led by David Kearney (Ireland). It is launching very soon, at an online conference with the Heads of Training of all Member Country PGAs.

For more information on Parents in Golf please contact Martin Westphal (mw@cpg.golf) and Wojciech Waśniewski (ww@cpg.golf).

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The discussion about appropriate tee lengths for both adult and junior golfers has been around for a few years now. As I’ve been researching the topic recently, here are a few discussion points, ideas, initiatives and solutions that I’ve come across.

ADULT GOLFERS

The USGA and the PGA of America have been pushing forward their “Tee it Forward” initiative. The premise is very simple – we should encourage people to match up their abilities with the golf course length by letting them tee off closer to the green than the standard tee box, so that they can hit more-lofted clubs into the greens. This, as advertised by the golf agencies including The R&A, will result in faster play, more birdies and more fun. Data seems to be backing this claim, with golf clubs and golf associations saying that incorporating the initiative has resulted in increased participation and satisfaction of golfers.

This discussion has two aspects:

1. Getting rid of labelled tee boxes
2. Shortening the courses

The first point is pretty straightforward – golf clubs should stop using terms like “men’s tees”, and either mix up the colours used for the tees, or even get rid of all the colours altogether.

I’ve seen it done at PGA Sweden National club in Bara [Sweden], where there were no colours on the tees. Each of the 6 sets of tees were labelled with the length of the whole course played from those tees instead [like “53” for the 5,300m length]. Check out their scorecard here.

Although it seems like a simple solution, maybe this course is not the best example for the discussion – it’s clearly a championship course [where the Nordea Masters is often played], and even the shortest tees are not really short [4950m].

For participation purposes, creating more gender-less tees seems like a no-brainer to me. You’ll be able to take complete beginners on the course much sooner [playing in the same way as everybody else], it will speed up play, level the field and improve scores [potentially making people more likely to play more often].

Here is a really cool article that explains the logic behind playing from appropriate distances [“every golfer should have the opportunity to hit par threes in one shot, par fours in two, and par fives in three”] and comes up with a very easy equation that allows people to quickly calculate what tee length they should be playing from [it’s player’s driver distance * 28]:

JUNIOR GOLFERS

The exact same concept applies to junior golfers. Well, in fact maybe it applies much more to juniors than to adults. There is a great blog post by Daniel Coyle that explains how playing on a mis-matched field size in any sport affects the “fun” factor for the kids, as well as how the mere design of the playing fields affect junior’s behaviour [like their attention span].

Obviously this doesn’t apply just to golf, here are a few examples [taken from said blog post and elsewhere] that demonstrate what happens if we put junior players into adult-sized pitches, courts, courses [and using adult-size equipment]. It is mind-blowing to see the exact techniques and behaviours normally associated with young performers REPLICATED by adults when placed in the same [relative] environments:

If a similar video existed for golf, we can imagine what it would look like – Tour Players playing on ridiculously long holes [1000 yards PAR 4’s], and maybe even using long and heavy clubs. It would probably look the same as 8 year olds playing from ladies’ tees.

I have encountered a few very neat solutions to this problem, listed below.

US KIDS GOLF – FAMILY COURSES

Family Courses is probably the one initiative around shortened junior tees that has received the most attention in the golfing world.

Again, the premise is very simple: juniors match their driver carry distance to an appropriate set of tees on the golf course [ball-park distances are easy to check by a simple addition to a driving range].

The golf course is set up in a way that recreates the same shots / clubs used from every tee, starting with a Blue set of tees for those who are able to carry their driver 100 yards.

What’s crucial is that creating these additional sets of tees does not require a huge investment. US Kids are using reasonably-priced, simple and un-obstructive “Tee Plates” to mark the teeing location, allowing fairway mowers to ride over the tees with no problem, reducing the barriers for golf courses to invest in them.

JOLF – JOLF TEES AND “ONE-HITTES”

JOLF [a junior golf system co-founded by Neil Plimmer, a previous guest of the Participation Coaching Podcast] recommends a slightly different approach.

First of all, JOLF Modified Golf Courses have three additional sets of tees (JOLF Red, Yellow, White). As with all the previously mentioned solutions, the appropriate tee length is based on the distance that the player is able to hit the ball with their driver / 7 iron.

Holes’ lengths are based on a simple calculation – Red JOLF Tees are 20% of the white adult tees length, Yellow – 40% and White – 60%.

Quite importantly, the JOLF creators advocate for leaving the choice of what tees to play from to the children. Up to a point where children choose their own starting positions on each hole. As explained to me by Neil Plimmer, he would take a child onto the golf course and say something along the lines of “This hole is a one-hitter [par 3]. I want you to start it from wherever you think you’re able to reach the green in one shot” – For some children this may be just 5 yards away from the green.

OPERATION 36 – DIVISIONS

Matt Reagan and Ryan Dailey, creators of the Operation 36 programme [that’s getting some serious attention in the US right now!] have created a whole structure around playing from appropriate tees and shooting low scores [the general goal behind the whole framework being – shooting 36 shots across 9 holes].

As part of their weekly programme, Operation 36 coaches organise Matches that include juniors playing in various Divisions. There are 6 Divisions, and each corresponds to a set of tees, with Division 1 starting from 25 yards away from the hole, progressing up through Division 5 [200 yards PAR 4] and Division 6 [full tees].

Each participant starts in Division 1, regardless of their age and driving distance.

The challenge is for the juniors to shoot 36 [even par] for 9 holes from their Division. Having done that, they progress to a higher Division.

I find this concept very interesting. It provides a clear structure / framework for the juniors to progress through. From a performance standpoint, it also creates the additional benefit of making juniors comfortable with shooting level scores. The programme seems to be very competitive though, and I’m not sure what effect implementing such a rigid structure could have on more recreational, less ambitious or less skilled children. Especially knowing that reaching the highest accomplishment [hitting 36 from adult tees] is statistically, a feat available to just a few.

CONCLUSION

I have been thinking about the concept of shortened and gender/age-less tees for a while now, and I honestly can’t see too many downsides to this.

I mean, really, why don’t ALL golf courses create shortened tees? What’s stopping them from doing it? It is not the cost, as shown by US Kids. Is it just the “tradition” holding us back?

Shouldn’t we all be actively lobbying for changing the tee structure at our golf clubs?

If the whole industry takes on this change [e.g. allowing to obtain/update a handicap on a shortened course, like in New Zealand; organising competitions from appropriate tees; encouraging members, visitors, recreational players etc. to use appropriate tees etc.], I wonder what would its effect be on:

• junior participation
• adult participation
• adult retention (!)
• junior performance
• pace of play issues
• the state of the golf industry

The PGA of Denmark have revealed an exciting new educational seminar programme focused on Junior Development for early 2020, and registration is now open for all interested delegates.

Hosted by the Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, host venue of the European Tour’s Made in Denmark Event, the series of seminars will draw key speakers from across various coaching disciplines including kinesiology, coaching children and elite level golf.

Whilst the first day will be in Danish, the final three days will be provided in English and so interested parties from international PGA’s are encouraged to attend and engage with what will be an insightful and progressive educational event.

Seminar packages are available on a daily basis with a €150 fee per day to allow flexibility to pick and choose which events to attend.

For more information and to register, please use the links below.

DOWNLOAD INFO PACK

VISIT THE PGA OF DENMARK

Just recently, Martin Westphal visited the country as part of the CPG’s and Royal and Ancient’s (R&A) mission to driving the game’s development globally. This mandate is delivered by the CPG, considered experts in this field, on behalf of the Royal & Ancient.

We spoke to both Martin Westphal [MW] and the President of the Jordanian Golf Federation, Hali Alabdallat [HA], on the visit and how the two organisations will work together in the weeks to come on developing the game in Jordan.

HA: “In Jordan we have approximately 300 golfers and two facilities. The first is a 9 hole course in Oman and the second is a Greg Norman – designed Championship course with a golf academy.

“Our main missions are to have more people involved in the game of golf. This is not just in terms of participants, but also in the form of coaches, educators, referees, managers and tournament administrators as well.

“Creating a network of homegrown, Jordanian Golf Professionals is with the eventual goal of growing golf participation numbers and developing competitive, national squads that play against the very best all year round.

“We contacted the R&A to help us achieve these ambitions, particularly in helping set up an effective coach education system that will eventually produce homegrown PGA Professionals. They recommneded the CPG’s Martin Westphal to bring his knowledge and expertise in this matter to Jordan”.

MW: “My visit was an initial fact-finding mission that started at Bisharat Golf Course. I met board members of the Jordanian Golf Federation (JGF) and the General Secretary of the Jordanian Olympic Committee, Mr Nasser Majali – these conversations resulted in the JGF becoming the recognised body of golf in the country.

“My week also consisted of developing conversation with these officials on better ways to coach golf (including delivering some of my own sessions to juniors) and ways to maximise efficiency and profitability of golf facilities.

“The week was very productive and as a result, we held some excellent conversations together that will over the coming weeks and months, bear fruit in achieving the JGF’s objectives.”

VISIT THE JORDANIAN GOLF FEDERATION WEBSITE

VISIT THE R&A WEBSITE – GOLF DEVELOPMENT