Golf is a sport FOREeveryone: The R&A launches campaign to get more women and girls playing

The R&A’s have launched the #FOREeveryone participation campaign aimed at encouraging more women and girls to play golf by showcasing the sport and providing practical advice on how anyone can get started.

#FOREeveryone highlights the many benefits of playing golf, including the opportunities to improve physical and mental health, spend time with friends and family, or the simple thrill of competition, while challenging unhelpful misconceptions that non-golfers have about the sport.

Prospective players can now visit FOREeveryone.com to receive practical advice on how to start, as well as hear from existing women golfers across Great Britain and Ireland about the reasons they play and why others should give it a go.

The R&A is working in partnership with England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and the PGA to encourage new golfers and welcome them to venues across GB&I as they start playing locally.

#FOREeveryone first launched in 2020 as an industry initiative to help golf facilities create an inclusive culture, as well providing them with knowledge and materials to recruit and retain women golfers. More than 740 venues have signed up and can access #FOREeveryone materials and are now well positioned to attract new golfers to their facilities.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer of The R&A, said, “The R&A is demonstrating its commitment to creating greater equality across golf and the #FOREeveryone campaign is the next step in our drive to have more women and girls involved at all levels of the sport.

“Golf has many proven health benefits that make it an appealing sport, especially those new to the game. During the pandemic, when people were looking for outdoor pursuits which could be enjoyed safely, we saw a heightened interest, including from women and girls. In fact, 25% of the women who played golf last year were doing so for the first time*, meaning now is the perfect time to ensure this interest is maintained, so women and girls enjoy the sport for many years to come.”

The #FOREeveryone campaign is part of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, which was established in 2018 to both increase the number of women and girls playing the sport globally and create more employment opportunities within the golf industry.

Since its launch, close to 1,000 organisations have signed up to the Women in Golf Charter, with each required to make certain commitments around how they will drive tangible change and help break down the barriers that some might feel the sport presents – whether it is the perceived cost of playing, the time it takes to do so, or how difficult it is to learn.

To find out more about the #FOREeveryone campaign, or for further information about rediscovering golf or locating beginner golf programmes, head to FOREeveryone.com.

For more information on the Women in Golf Charter, visit RandA.org.

Ends. Notes to Picture Editors: The photograph attached may be used with editorial coverage of this news release only. Please credit The R&A. Caption 1: The R&A has launched #FOREeveryone, a participation campaign aimed at encouraging more women and girls to play golf.
Caption 2: More women and girls are now playing golf in Great Britain. Caption 3: #FOREeveryone will highlight the many benefits of playing golf Notes to Editors: About The R&A The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 to take on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport. The World Golf Museum in St Andrews is part of The R&A group. Together The R&A and the USGA govern the sport of golf worldwide, operating in separate jurisdictions with a commitment to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards. The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, governs the sport worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, on behalf of over 36 million golfers in 143 countries and with the consent of 158 organisations from amateur and professional golf. The R&A has responsibility for running a series of world class amateur events and international matches in women’s and girls’ as well as men’s and boys’ golf. The R&A stages the AIG Women’s Open and works with the European Tour to stage the Senior Open presented by Rolex. The R&A is committed to investing £200 million over ten years in developing golf and supports the growth of the sport internationally, including the development and management of sustainable golf facilities. For more information, visit www.randa.org. Key highlights from the 2020 Great Britain Golf Participation Report: • Total adult golfers on a full-length course (9 or 18 hole) increased significantly by 2.1 million players to 5.2 million – the highest figure recorded this century • Of these golfers, 36% identified as returning or new golfers – with 16% of players starting or trying golf for the first time because of the pandemic • The average age of golfers fell by five years to 41, with the majority of new golfers aged under 55 • *25% of female golfers were new to the sport – and tried it for the first time because of the pandemic A Golf and health report commissioned by The R&A has shown:
• On average golfers live five years longer than non-golfers. • Golf, as a physical activity, can help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia. • On an average 18-hole golf course, most players will walk between four and five miles, burning up to 2000 calories. • Golf has shown to help strength and balance in older people • Golf can help improve cholesterol, body composition and metabolism • Golfers are less likely to be at risk of lonelinessTo download the full report please visit randa.org Further information: The R&A Corporate Communications +44 (0)1334 460000 media@randa.org Jessica Hedderman Account Director, Performance54 E: Jessica.Hedderman@Performance54.com T: +44 (0) 7535 414 326