Golf students learn skills to coach next generation

Tri-golf is a 'mini' version of golf designed specifically for young children at infant, primary and junior schools. As part of their course, Level 3 BTEC students worked with youngsters, under the guidance of Andy Lee from the HSBC Golf Roots programme, to develop the skills they need to coach tri-golf themselves. Later in the academic year they’ll take what they’ve learned to lead their own coaching sessions in primary schools.

The Golf Roots programme was introduced in 2003 to provide opportunities for children and young people in areas where golf had not previously been seen as an option. The project has now evolved into the largest and most successful junior golf development project in the country. The HSBC Golf Roots programme reaches 500,000 youngsters a year, creating a pathway for discovering the sport.

Student, 16-year-old Tom Crookson, said the session was very useful: '’We've been working with Andy to develop our tri-golf skills and teach young people how to play golf.

‘’Hopefully we'll become the tri-golf coaches of the future teaching the youngsters of tomorrow.’’

Fellow student, 16-year-old Beth Greenhalgh, added: ‘’’As part of the session we learned how to perform a warm-up and learned about other aspects such as teaching putting and chipping. We also got the young players involved in a mini-festival.

‘’Later in the year we'll use what we've learned to deliver tri-golf in primary schools and after what we've learned today we'll be confident in doing that.’’

Gavin Forsyth, lecturer in golf at Myerscough College, organised the session and said: ‘’The students will now be able to take these skills and use them in the community to teach the next generation and encourage them to get into the sport.’’

To watch a video of the students taking part in the tri-golf coaching session, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga6G66hG6ho&feature=share

For more details about the golf study programmes on offer at Myerscough College, click here: http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/courses/golf/