Get Glowing Golf

The first Get Glowing Golf (GGG) Project in the country was inspired by Women in Sport research showing the benefits of Sport in the Dark with UV lighting and Glowsticks to help encourage a new generation to try sport.

Supported by an HSBC Golf Roots PLUS grant from the Golf Foundation and Regional Development Officer, Stacey McNicholas, 300 pupils at Schools in North Lincolnshire were given taster sessions using the school and community sports halls lit only by glow sticks and UV lighting.  Pupils rotated around a series of fun glowing activities to the backdrop of their favourite music.

The Get Glowing Golf Project attracted 156 participants via Baysgarth School and at the Club-based festival ran at Elsham GC.

Head of PE, Chris Wight, commented that the project was a positive opportunity for girls to engage with golf in a way they hadn’t expected to. Students were positive about the experience and have a more positive attitude towards golf.

Some key quotes from the students included;

-“We love the disco feel and music”
-“I don’t feel as self-conscious when I don’t do it right”
-“I liked the atmosphere”
-“I think it was fun”

Prior to the project, 72% of participants said they didn’t want to play golf with only 22% enjoying being active whilst playing golf. However the percentages of participants that felt golf made them happy following the project completion doubled.

At the start of the project, only 29% felt they remained calm in new or changing situations but by the end this increased to 47%.

The project was the first of its kind and we are looking to expand this further in the next academic year; utilising feedback and reflection to make it bigger and better. There are other counties and areas who have been inspired to get involved and intend to run a GGG project. We are proud to have been the first of many in the future to utilise this was of encouraging participation both in sport and golf; helping to reduce negative perceptions and barriers around the sport, alongside encouraging more confidence in young people particularly girls.

“The sessions really offered something different to try and get students into golf," said Stacey McNicholas. "It was a really good post lockdown activity as it broke barriers in terms of body image and reduced issues with confidence as doing the sessions in the dark meant that all the students felt more comfortable. The atmosphere in the sessions was AMAZING, students singing and dancing and then getting the opportunity to try golf in a fun environment”.