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NOV/DEC ISSUE
Dear TSGers, as we finish another golfing year, we thought we would reflect on how things have changed. Golf is still riding the COVID wave (just) and whilst some strides have been made to democratise the great game we love, we still have some way to go before we have a level playing field in terms of 'inclusivity' - see the article by CNN intern, Matt Foster below.
We also give a nod to a great new concept in golf...an indoor golf studio in a PUB... genius! Meanwhile, we'll be making some announcements regarding new TSG events in 2022, but until then we wish everyone a very Merry Xmas and a healthy New Year!! Ian & The TSG Team
#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE #BEHAPPY
TSG PRO MEMBERSHIP: Treat yourself or a friend
It's the gift that keeps on giving, all year round!
We believe that golfers should be able to play anywhere, at any time, whether they belong to a golf club or not. By joining The Social Golfer community as a PRO member, you can arrange games in your area and interact with 6k+ UK golfers and over 12k worldwide.
– Join Games & Societies in your area
– Track your Handicap
– Analyse & graph your game
– Get a Handicap certificate
– Compete in the TSG league & win prizes
– Enter TSG events & Tournaments
All for only £29.98 >>
TSG Partner News: NEW Golf Studio opens to the West of London
The introduction of technology into golf is nothing new but every now and again, we hear of a concept that seems to hit the ball right off the sweet spot.
Just west of London, a group of innovative thinkers have combined the idea of playing at some of the world's best golf courses, with a gastronomical experience, to bring a whole new concept to the world of golf simulators! The Virtual Golf Lounge based in the village of Fulmer, near Slough, Buckinghamshire, opened In August 2021 and is now taking bookings for independent golfers and Golf Societies.
x3 Bay Golf Simulators – Powered by Trackman
The Virtual Golf Lounge has recently opened on the grounds of the well-known pub and restaurant, The Black Horse in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire.
This three-bay golf studio offers a relaxed atmosphere with three bays all sporting the latest Trackman 4 technology, which enables golfers of all abilities to enjoy and improve their golf, all year round.
The venue is developing a full schedule of events and masterclasses with visiting PGA Pros to help golfers improve and socialise whilst enjoying the waitress service of The Black Horse.
Reasons to visit Virtual Golf Lounge...
- Play all year round regardless of weather conditions
- Play some of the best golf courses in the world in the cosy and warm environment of an English Country Pub
- Track your swing and monitor your game using our Trackman 4 Launch Monitor
- Improve your game using Trackman’s x26 different ball and club data points to see exactly where you need to improve.
- Enjoy our fully air-conditioned golf bays including Covid air purifiers and a full waitress service
- Play as individuals and hone your game, or play in a 4 ball and have a competition
- Play a wide variety of games, drills, exercises and even the Trackman Artificial Intelligence system
- Play more than 120 great golf courses
- Play while the traditional local golf courses are closed. The west of London Golf Studio is open from 8 am – 11 pm Monday – Saturday and 8 am – 10 pm Sunday
...read more >>
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TSG OPINION: Golf and Diversity – What’s the problem?
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder last year, 80 sporting governing bodies in the UK released a statement acknowledging that they had not done enough to confront racism and make meaningful change.
One of those signatories was England Golf, the sport’s governing body at the amateur level, whose latest figures from 2018 show that only 0.5% of recreational members at golf clubs are black. The professional game has a similarly sized problem with representation, with progression pathways described as “clearly unfair.”
Lee Elder’s appearance as a ceremonial starter at the Masters in Augusta earlier this year stood as a late but nonetheless important recognition of both the club's and US golf’s historical racism. Matt Foster (an intern at CNN International) investigates the causes behind the issue and speaks to the people trying to change it.
After nearly 25 years with an American black golfer standing head and shoulders above his nearest rivals and still no sign of a black British golfer yet to make their mark on the game. Is it time for the UK authorities to further acknowledge their own shortcomings?
To get a sense of the role of BAME golfers in the British game, look no further than the website of England Golf. While their commitment to diversity is displayed by sub-sections relating to disability and the women’s game, there is no mention of ethnicity.
Likewise, the Royal and Ancient (R&A), the organisation responsible for the overall governance of the game of golf worldwide (except for the USA and Mexico where the PGA has jurisdiction) makes a similar omission. Indeed, the R&A co-authored a 27-page report on European participation in golf in 2019 which failed to mention ethnic diversity once.
Karen Myers, the head of Corporate Communications at the R&A, attributes their exclusion to two main factors:
- The ongoing research projects being carried out
- The fact that the R&A itself doesn’t in fact have any current programmes relating to improving diversity.
Instead, the R&A donates considerable sums to separate organisations that are working to drive diverse participation. The R&A is concerned that any immediate action could be misguided.
Myers says that “the worst thing we can do as a governing body is to assume and not to ask, that’s why we’re taking so much time to do research.”
The research referenced is threefold;
- The first element involves gaining a better understanding of the current makeups of club membership and understanding the work being done by the clubs regarding inclusivity.
- The second piece relates to the industry as a whole and identifies differences in perception of what people within golf want to do and what people from ethnically diverse communities are asking for.
- Thirdly, the latest strand which is in the field at the moment is an investigation into why people from diverse backgrounds have rejected golf and what they see as the principal barriers to participation.
“I’VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT ‘WE NEED TO DO THE RESEARCH FIRST’ MEANS... THE RESEARCH IS NOT WHAT IS NEEDED, IT IS MUCH MORE THE ACTION THAT WE NEED.”
Ray Nyabola, founder of the Black British Golfers Association (BBGA)
The R&A’s ALL white management team
The founder of the Black British Golfers Association (BBGA) and established coach, is unmoved by the potential findings of this research, “I’ve been around long enough to know what ‘we need to do the research first’ means, the research is not what is needed- it is much more the action that we need.”
The BBGA is a community intent on growing black representation in the game and highlighting the history of black golfers in Britain. “The employment part and the participation part are inextricably linked”
Returning to the governing bodies’ websites, almost front and centre, there are proudly displayed headshots of each organisation’s executive teams. What is immediately notable is that all 17 senior management positions at the R&A are occupied by white British adults.
When asked about this, Myers, in part, credits such homogeneity to location…
“The problem for us (The R&A) and England Golf, and this is no excuse, is geography. England Golf is based in Lincolnshire, while we’re based in the East Neuk of Fife”. “If you don’t have an ethnically diverse local population around you to draw on then you need to change the recruitment practices, particularly given that the pandemic has shown, that it’s no longer necessary to be based in an office in St Andrews.”
Myers also points to the game-wide shortage of BAME diversity as a contributor. This is likely the case for a lot of golfers around the country.
She notes that “if you don’t play the sport or you’re not a fan of it, then you’re less likely to want to work in it…the employment part and the participation part are inextricably linked.
Awareness of the issue in this country is limited – Myers herself admits that “while we have made positive strides in the wider diversity agenda, we are starting from a low base.” While there are articles from British publications like BBC and the Guardian concerning black representation in golf, the vast majority of existing content relates to the American experience. This is a major bugbear of Nyabola…
“I’m sure there’s a narrative around black golf (in Britain) that exists, we just haven’t seen it. Everything that starts as a black British piece then goes to American issues and never comes back.”
The narrative problem around black golf extends to the statistics published by England Golf. Nyabola is unconvinced by the current methodology of relying on membership numbers from individual clubs: “Depending on when you talk to me, I may not have a membership, but I’m still obviously participating in golf. I think (the existing number) misses the mark by a lot.” ..... READ MORE >>
TSG PARTNER NEWS: Golf Escapes
The Precise Resort El Rompido is a 5-star golf resort in Spain that offers two on-site golf courses. Along with its Semi All-Inclusive board basis (Half Board + drinks between 17:00 – 24:00), it's one of our best-selling hotels in the world and a holiday that many golfers repeat over and over.
- Winter Special Offer: 7 Nights, Semi All-inclusive + Unlimited Golf + 1 Free in 8 + Free Room Upgrade - Only £595pp
More information can be found at www.golf-escapes.com/precise-resort-el-rompido and don't forget to mention The Social Golfer when enquiring about your special discount. TSGers get £25 OFF your next booking (T&C's Apply).To find out more about other great golfing deals visit: www.golf-escapes.com
TSG Monthly Leaderboard: (sponsored by 2fore1.co.uk)
John Cook at Wincanton GC in Essex with an EXCEPTIONAL = 44 pts.
Well done to John on his first leaderboard win since joining the site in only March of this year. Welcome to the 2022 TSG Masters Mr Cook!
H'cap change: 19.3 to 15.8!
TSG SITE NEWS: Not a lot of people know that...
Did you know you can get to TSG quicker than ever before by adding our TSG icon to your phone home screen?
For those with smartphones, you can now save the TSG icon to your home screen at the touch of a button, giving you quick access to the community, meaning no more searching on Google when you want to login.
Here are FOUR easy steps:
1. Go to www.thesocialgolfer.com
2. Hit the icon shown at the bottom of your screen (may vary depending on the phone - the image above is an iPhone 8)
3. Search and hit the "Add to Home Screen" Button
4. Hit "Add" in the top right of your screen
No more searching on Google for TSG!
Course Review of the Month: The Shire, Barnet, North London, UK.
"A course on the 'to play' list, done... '
This September (2021) I was fortunate to be invited to a friend’s corporate golf day at the much talked about 'The Shire' in North London... as the only Seve Ballesteros course in the UK, it’s a course that has been on the 'I want to play' list for quite some time.
The first thing to say is that the course was in excellent condition, probably the best set up course I’ve played all year. However, be warned, there is a lot of water (the Seve ‘S’ creek on the 18th being the biggest) and many hazards in front of you off the tees that you need to carry, to reach fairways and island greens.
Oh yes, it’s a challenge, not for the high handicapper. I shot 104 and scored 24 pts, and just wished I could have played better.
The greens were fast, like putting on glass compared to the greens I have been playing on all year, difficult to adjust. It’s a course you need to be at your best. I would love to play again as the second time around, it wouldn’t be so daunting.
The facilities, practice range and clubhouse were excellent and the catering was superb. Love to play again.
TSG Blog Pages: Recent popular articles by the TSG team & members
Whenever we can, we like to review courses, Golf equipment, and the latest Golf technology and apps available online. Visit our Golf Blog pages for the latest insights and more...
• Xmas Golf Trivia - Test Your Knowledge >>
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