Golphin, the Irvine based kids golf equipment manufacturers, has now now developed a project to build a pathway from primary schools and golf courses.

With junior golf participation levels in decline across the UK, Golphin has recognised and responded to the need for innovation and change. 

Calum McPherson, the firms Founder and Managing Director, explained: “Attracting kids in to any sport is a challenge, golf is no exception. To compete with other activities kids need the opportunity to try the game at school with their friends in a safe, fun filled and cost effective way.

“To grab the kids attention and giving them an opportunity to choose golf, we need to make it fun and engaging for them at an early age. Our games and products are designed for kids as young as three years young.”

The project, aptly named The Pathway to the Fairways, was offered to schools as a pilot scheme in North Ayrshire last year.

A partnership approach has now been developed with Golphin working with Active Schools, North Ayrshire Council and car retailer Arnold Clark who co-sponsor the programme.

Bruce McMaster of Active Schools is particularly impressed with the way Golphin’s programme makes golf fun and educational, he said: “Golf can be more challenging for younger children when compared with other sports.

“Golphin’s approach, with its oversized club heads and balls certainly makes the game easier to learn. The way the programme is written it also enhances children’s education whilst they learn a healthy sports activity.”

At the recent Scottish Golf Show held at the SECC in Glasgow, a group of school kids from St Peter’s Primary School in Saltcoats attended the event as a taster session of the schools program about to begin after the Easter holiday break.

This included fun target practice with giant dartboards, paddling pool, chipping games and inflatable practice nets.

Mr Hume from St Peter’s said after the event: “Most of the children hadn’t thought about doing golf before but they are now – we had kids saying to us on the bus journey home that they couldn’t couldn’t believe how much fun it was.

“The Golphin team were very professional, they had the kids eating out of their hands.”

Arnold Clark are sponsoring this exciting new golf initiative in the west of Scotland, each child who participates in the programme will receive a free golf club and safety practice balls to play and proactive outside of school.

David Cooper of the car retailer said: “Delighted to be involved with Golphin and seeing kids being given the opportunity to learn the game at an early age.”

Our photos show St Peters P6 kids at the Scottish Golf Show.