BE PART OF ENGLAND GOLF S CAMPAIGN TO GET MORE FAMILIES INTO GOLF! AS PART OF THE ENGLAND GOLF GET INTO GOLF CAMPAIGN, CLUBS ARE INVITED TO HOLD FAMILY OPEN DAYS
WHY RUN A FAMILY OPEN DAY? > To raise the profile of golf within the local community > To promote your club as a welcoming and safe environment > To increase revenue streams > To increase membership > To encourage use of other facilities at the club TOP TIPS TO DELIVER A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY OPEN DAY > Ensure the whole club supports the day and is aware of what is happening > Allow sufficient time to promote and market the event > Remember to collect data from attendees to tell them about follow-on opportunities > Use your club s member database to promote your family day > Use your current members and players to promote your family day > Use your current members to help integrate newcomers within the club 48% of non-golfers said they would be encouraged to play with friends and family Source: Syngenta 2013 Over half of current golfers started playing golf as an child or teenager. Source: Golf Segmentation Results 2015 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Go to the www.englandgolf.org/clubhouse for: > Get into golf information > Promotional materials; posters, flyers and banners to purchase > Details of your Club Support Officer 2
PLANNING YOUR DAY WHAT? Open day activities We ve listed a number of suggestions, but why not ask current members what activities their families would enjoy? > Mark up the putting green with skills challenges, this can be easily managed by volunteers > Create a mini competition over three holes or create short holes on the practice ground. Ensure players have a scorecard > Skills challenges can be very simple and a lot of fun, such as chipping into a bin > Create a crazy golf course > Nearest the pin competition or longest putt challenge > Competitions supporting a local charity > Use TriGolf and StreetGolf equipment and activities, these can be a lot of fun for children and adults > PGA Professionals may be able to demonstrate trick shots > Include non-golfing activities for example, a bouncy castle, face painting, a treasure hunt or golf computer games in the clubhouse Don t forget families will be coming together so offer activities which the whole family can take part in Tell your members what s happening and encourage them to get involved WHO? Friends and family are a key source of inspiration to start playing golf Source: Golf Segmentation Results 2015 57% of young people said they would be more likely to give golf a go if family and friends played with them Source: Syngenta 2013 Develop clear roles and decide how volunteers and staff can support on the day. This could include: > Meet & greet a member of staff or club member > Offering tours round the facilities club manager or member > Arranging golf activities - PGA Professional/s > Arranging catering catering manager Make sure everyone knows who the nominated first aiders are. 3
WHEN? Choosing a date - points to consider > Make sure your helpers are available > Make sure there are no functions or competitions arranged on the same date > Bank Holidays and school holidays are not always the best option as families may be away during these times. It may be worth asking current members with families when would appeal to them WHERE? Consider your facilities > Have a back up plan in case the weather is poor > Ensure locker rooms and other facilities are accessible to non-members > Ensure there is family friendly catering available with clear signage > During summer months a barbecue will definitely draw people in (weather permitting!) > Accessibility: If you believe your venue is inaccessible for disabled people or has difficult access points go to the England Golf Clubhouse for advice on creating alternative access routes 51% of male golfers who have a son say that their son plays golf but only 12% who have a daughter say that their daughter plays Source: SMS 2015 37% of lapsed golfers said if more friends and family participated in the game they would come back Source: Syngenta 2013 4
PROMOTION: Spread the word > Advertise on Get into golf: www.getintogolf.org > Advertise in the club > Advertise on the club website > Promote using Facebook and Twitter > Tell your members and ask them to bring children and grandchildren and don t forget to ask juniors to bring their parents > Email current members > Family golf promotional materials are available to purchase through the England Golf Clubhouse TOP TIPS When promoting your family open day remember to include the following: > The date, time, outline of the day and who it is for > Dress code don t expect people to know. Why not relax any dress code for the day? > Contact details for interested families to call and ask questions Get into golf guidance can be found in the can be found in England Golf s Recruiting New Players & Members booklet detailing how you you can get involved and benefit from the national marketing campaign www.englandgolf.org/clubhouse ON THE DAY HINTS AND TIPS > Have clear signage as visitors may not be familiar with the surroundings > Ensure the reception desk is well positioned for everyone to see and access > Name badges or club jumpers may be worn so staff and volunteers can be easily identified > Display welcome messages in the club house or on a TV screen > Provide information about follow-on opportunities for coaching, playing, social and membership offers > If possible have golf buggies available for any guest needing assistance > Collect contact information to use for future communications > Take pictures and collect testimonials, to use in for future promotion > Provide some prizes to reward attendees for getting involved. Prizes can be club related, for example vouchers to support continued participation 78% of male golfers who have a wife or partner say their companion does not play 5
FOLLOW ON OPPORTUNITIES > Have a range of follow on activities planned and promote these to attendees on the day and in communications after the event > Don t forget to promote coaching, playing and membership opportunities which the whole family can enjoy together > The social element is also important, so don t forget to promote what else is happening at the club and what s available for the non-golfer. AFTER THE DAY > Send a thank you letter or email including details of follow-on opportunities > Ask for feedback from those who attended > Let us know! England Golf would love to hear about your family golf day, so report back to your local Club Support Officer or email clubsupport@englandgolf.org Read the Bramford Family Golf day case study by visiting the England Golf Clubhouse HELP IS AT HAND Your local County Development Officer is available to help your club plan a Family Golf Open Day. Contact details can be found on the England Golf Clubhouse 6