Scottish Golf launches ‘Get into golf’

Scotland and British & Ireland Lions Full Back Stuart Hogg championing the cause

Scottish Golf has launched its biggest-ever campaign to encourage more people to get outside playing and enjoying the game of golf at clubs across the country.

‘Get into Golf’ is a summer of activity aimed at encouraging adult beginners, or those who perhaps played as a youngster and had to give it up for work and family commitments, to get back into the game.

Over 100 golf clubs have already signed up to offer great value beginner lessons, access to free club hire, free use of practice facilities, and exclusive introductory membership offers at the end of the programme.

One person that recently rediscovered their old passion for the sport is Scotland and British & Irish Lions fullback, Stuart Hogg, who last week picked up the Player of the Championship Award for his performances in the RBS 6 Nations.

Hogg, who plays for reigning Guinness Pro12 Champions Glasgow Warriors, said: “Everybody can play golf. If you’re looking for a good way to relax, get some fresh air and get fit, then playing golf with all the walking around is perfect.

“I highly recommend getting out on the course. You’ve got the enjoyment factor, but the fact that you’re actually doing something active as well means it’s perfect for me and you’ve got the social side as well.”

Hogg’s Glasgow and Scotland teammate, scrumhalf Henry Pyrgos, couldn’t agree more: “I started off messing around in the backyard and then, when I got older, I went to the driving range and then onto the course.

“I was always quite competitive at golf with my mum and now I’m really competitive with the other rugby guys who play golf.

“If you enjoyed golf before, then get along to your local club and get back into it. Or if you’re new to the game, take it up. Find a group of friends who are keen then just try to get out as much as you can.”

One of the major success stories of the Get into Golf programme so far is the number of women who have given golf a go, and loved it.

One of those women is broadcaster Eilidh Barbour who interviews Hogg and Pyrgos as part of her day job and also gets to report from many of the major golf events.

Eilidh said: “When my mum started to get quite into it, I thought: ‘I’m going to go out and beat her - and it’s going to be dead easy!’ But I’ve not beaten her yet. I don’t like shopping and other stuff that my mum likes, so golf is our thing that we do together."

For another good news Scottish Golf story click here to read how a US tycoon gave £2 million to Scottish charities because of his love of the game.