STARTGOLF GETS
INTO FULL SWING

Thousands of wannabe golfers in the North-West who are desperate to learn the sport but are put off by hours of lonely practice and the difficulty associated with joining a club – have been given a helping hand thanks to the launch of a new sporting concept.

Startgolf is a tailor-made learning scheme for beginners and is the brainchild of ex-Ryder Cup referee, Andrew Thorp, from Cheshire. Startgolf bridges the huge gap between people initially wanting to take up the sport and then being able to join a golf club.

In addition to expert instruction on the golf swing, Startgolf provides useful advice on how to join a club and buy the right equipment to navigating a golf course.

"Startgolf aims to realise the dream for many golf beginners of becoming a regular, competent player", explained Andrew Thorp.

"Golf is a great game, but getting started isn’t straightforward. Anyone can bash a few balls at the local driving range but golf has more to offer than that. Similarly, lessons are readily available but who’s going to teach you how to take on a golf course? Startgolf offers a guiding hand for novices, helping them bridge the gap between dabbling at the driving range and having the skills and knowledge to play the real game."

Available through participating golf centres throughout the North West of England, the Startgolf introductory scheme is priced at £150.00 and lasts for approximately eight weeks. This includes five starter golf lessons with a PGA professional, a brand new Dunlop golf club, a manual and lesson diary. Participants also have access to a golf ‘help-line’ and attend a unique learning day where they learn the intricacies of the game.

"Golf is also much more than just a sport," added Andrew. "It’s a very social game but beginners miss out in this because they don’t yet belong to a golf club or society. And to be honest, they’re not ready to mix it up with experienced players. We’ve therefore created the Startgolf Club, a kind of golf society for learners that includes specially arranged events and discounts on golf merchandise and dining out.

"Startgolf is a great stepping stone for novices, giving them a sound and sociable introduction to golf at an affordable price," explained Andrew.

In addition to the introductory course, Startgolf offers an ‘improver programme’ for players with more golfing experience.