Award-winning junior golfing specialist Golphin boosts its MyPathway2Golf programme with new app

Award-winning junior golfing specialist Golphin has boosted its MyPathway2Golf programme with a new app.

The app, which has been designed by Stirling and Edinburgh based mobile app developer Vidatec, is designed to support Golphin’s programme, which encourage the uptake of the game of golf among young players.

Golphin, which is headquarted in Irvine, North Ayrshire, successfully profiled their new app in America earlier this year at the PGA Show in Orlando. The app is now available to kids through golf clubs that have signed up to the programme –  and is already making an impact on the world stage.   It was chosen by Golf Digest as one of the ‘Top 14 Coolest Things’ presented at the show. Available on both Apple and Android devices, it includes a wide range of games to play, quizzes, knowledge of the game, fitness and wellbeing ideas, and skills challenges, as well as short course designs, growth mindset, leader boards, messaging and class planning.

Coaches of junior programs have the app, and invite their students and students’ parents to download it. There are quizzes on the app that help teach kids about golf’s rules and etiquette, as well as the ability for kids to review their own performance and behaviour. The coach is then able to see how the child sees themselves, which can only improve their ability to help their students. The app also contains golf challenges that increase in difficulty as you complete them—things like short-game drills. It’s an easy progression for the kids to follow, and their coach is updated via the app to see which level each of his or her students are on.

 Calum McPherson, Founder & Managing Director at Golphin said “Over the last few years we have been listening carefully to PGA professionals, parents, children and golf course owners which has allowed us to develop and bring to market a suite of tools to help kids discover golf.

“The endorsement of governing bodies such as England Golf, the PGA of America and the German Golf Federation is fantastic and reinforces our belief that MyPathway2Golf is an ideal junior golf development resource.”

However, the implementation of lockdown procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that children could no longer receive in-person golfing lessons.  Golphin needed to respond quickly to adapt their approach. Having the mobile app has enabled them to keep junior golfers engaged from home. By adding two virtual coaches to the app, enabling junior players to get tailored golfing instruction and motivation direct to their mobile devices at home. Further games and competitions were also added, including the ability for children to design their own golf course and putter.

Calum McPherson at Golphin added: “We initially didn’t know whether a website re-design or a fully-fledged mobile app was going to be right for MyPathway2Golf, but Vidatec advised us that an app would be more dynamic and convenient for both golf coaches and junior players.

“We are absolutely delighted that we chose to go with a mobile app; not only has it resulted in an incredibly engaging and creative programme for young golfers, but it enabled us to be really responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic, and help children carry on playing, learning and improving their skills at home. Vidatec’s team has been with us every step of the way, and we have dramatically enhanced our brand awareness and the number of junior players using the app.”

Greig Johnston at Vidatec said: “This was a really interesting and worthwhile project from the outset, dedicated to helping more children get into golf, keep active and learn new skills. It’s great to see the app now being used by children all over the world, in the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and Saudi Arabia, helping to keep active throughout lockdown and building youth enthusiasm for the game of golf.”