Golf At Goodwood drives junior participation with successful half‑term camps

Over 30 children aged between six and 14-years old attended during the February half-term, with the camps ranging from three half-days to five full-days.

The aim of the camps is to provide a relaxed and fun opportunity to learn how to play golf and to support and develop young talent. The camps take place on the driving range, a six-hole pitch and putt course and on some of the holes on the Park course. Starting at a young age is beneficial, as it is easier to pick up new techniques. The fundamental aim is to get juniors enjoying the game, so activities such as ‘Velcro Golf,’ ‘Fruit Smash’ and ‘Footgolf’ are included.

Sam and Gary Seymour brought their two young children, Liam aged 10 and Miles aged 6, to attend a camp this February. They said; “We got married at Goodwood House and when we found out that they did golf here we decided to bring the children. Goodwood is different class to anywhere else and is a prestigious place. The boys did three half-days, which is really good value at £75, but I think next time they would like to do the full days.

“They absolutely loved it this week; Miles hasn’t got any sort of concentration at his age and is just ‘football, football,’ but every day he has been asking if he’ll be going to golf. The etiquette and discipline they teach is excellent as well.”

Craig Gardner, a PGA professional and the Junior Sussex Development Coach, leads the tuition for the camps at the Goodwood Academy. He said; “It’s very rewarding teaching youngsters, I get to know them quite well and it’s great to see them progress.

“Because the camps include warm-ups of multi-sport activities – throwing and catching, jumping, that sort of thing – they build up their athleticism and can then apply that to different aspects of their golf game. We also include elements of the rules, etiquette and behaviour on the golf course, so it’s all working towards them being able to play on a course.”

The camps are open to all ages and abilities and the juniors are split into small groups of similar age and experience when they first attend. At the end of each camp, every child is presented with a certificate, which acts as a reward for their efforts, a memento and a confidence booster. 

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