{"id":1245686,"date":"2023-06-28T05:51:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T05:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1245686"},"modified":"2023-06-29T19:46:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T19:46:30","slug":"randa-launches-new-learn-to-play-initiative-with-star-studded-campaign-and-digital-platform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/randa-launches-new-learn-to-play-initiative-with-star-studded-campaign-and-digital-platform\/","title":{"rendered":"The R&A launches new learn to play initiative with star studded campaign and digital platform"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Golf.Golf
Niall Horan launches golf.golf, a new initiative by The R&A and Modest!Golf to boost participation in golf. (L-R) Olivia Farquhar, Niall Horan, Ruaridh McCallum and Phil Anderton (Chief Development Officer, the R&A) (Photo by Ross Parker\/R&A\/R&A via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The R&A has launched an ambitious pilot initiative to encourage people to learn to play golf at a diverse range of golf facilities across Scotland.<\/p>\n

The launch of Golf.Golf was supported by R&A ambassador and singer songwriter Niall Horan at an event held at The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews.<\/p>\n

The initiative has been developed using extensive research into how to attract new people to the sport and is targeted specifically at those who already had or have an active interest in sporting activity but not necessarily in golf.<\/p>\n

Its aim is to change the perception of the game and drive new players to a host of venues where the sport is played, from driving ranges to simulators to municipal courses, as well as existing facilities so they can learn how to play golf.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Golf.Golf digital platform<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0provides an easy-to-use searchable list of all participating venues. Prospective players \u2013 from beginners to those who want to pick up the sport again \u2013 can use the platform to find their local venue and book sessions directly. Prices are set at an affordable rate so that cost barriers are reduced and venues can get involved at no cost and benefit from attracting an untapped source of first-time golfers.<\/p>\n

Backed by a global social media strategy which includes a fun film starring Niall Horan and a host of Scottish sporting stars \u2013 including former football coach and player Gordon Strachan OBE, Olympic gold medallist and curler Vicky Wright, Scotland rugby captain Jamie Ritchie and fellow internationalists and brothers Matt and Zander Fagerson of Glasgow Warriors \u2013 Golf.Golf portrays the game as fun, inexpensive, easy to understand, a place to make new friends and a great way to stay mentally and physically fit.<\/p>\n

Golf.Golf is also being supported by The R&A\u2019s development ambassadors, who include tennis commentator and former player Daniela Hantuchova, footballer Gareth Bale, cricketer Kevin Pietersen and golfer Michelle Wie West.<\/p>\n

The R&A\u2019s ambition is to successfully pilot the programme in Scotland during 2023 through working with Scottish Golf and for its affiliated national federations to then roll it out across global venues and so increase worldwide participation in the game.<\/p>\n