Healthy flourish on the fairways

The statistics don't lie when it comes to the numbers playing golf. More people than ever - men, women and children - are taking to the fairways than at any time in the sport's history in this country.

From 1986 to 1999, the number of men playing golf has increased by 106 per cent to 138,704; the number of women by 93 per cent to 46,590, and the number of juniors by 64 per cent to 30,630. These figures don't include those who are in societies but not clubs, nor do they account for those who only play informal golf at pay-to-play or municipal courses.

Because the Golfing Union of Ireland, who governs the men's game, and the Irish Ladies Golf Union, who administers the women's game, collect the membership "poll tax" a year in arrears, no figures to the end of 2000 are yet available. The belief, however, is that the numbers will actually rise higher rather and, in the case of more women coming into the sport, it remains to be seen what effect last year's signing into law of the Equal Status Act will have.

In terms of the numbers playing, it's a healthy situation for all involved in the golf industry - from those promoting the sport to those involved in it as a business.

However, if there is any worrying statistic, then it is that the number of juniors, i.e. underage players, is growing at a smaller rate when compared to the other categories. Billy Black, the president of the GUI, is one of those who advocate clubs should create a more open environment so more youngsters have access to clubs. While accepting that there is a major problem in urban areas, especially in facilitating juniors, Black said: "Our function in the GUI is to encourage clubs to get involved, to make openings so that they can get into clubs."

Indeed, many clubs could do worse than to look at the policy of Belfast club Shandon Park, who have one of the most progressive under-age structures in the country. An indication of the club's forward thinking is that they have recently introduced a new "kiddies" membership that enables under-10s to play on the course as long as they are accompanied by a parent.

"We perceive ourselves as being progressive when it comes to developing junior golf," says David Jenkins, the general manager. "Every single junior member gets free coaching, for instance, and there is great encouragement for them to develop their games."

Shandon Park have reaped the success in adopting such a junior friendly policy. Not only are they the current holders of the Irish Senior Cup and the Barton Shield - the two blue ribbon events on the Irish inter-club scene - but they are also the reigning European Club champions.

The situation in Ireland is in stark contrast to England where an English Golfing Union survey of its 1,890 affiliated clubs found that over 75 per cent of them have membership vacancies. The result is the EGU have put structures in place to attract new players by organising a series of coaching days this summer and, also, in making potential golf club members aware of vacancies on its website in an effort to combat dwindling numbers.

Such a situation doesn't yet arise in Ireland, because the numbers are increasing, not diminishing. However, the importance of ensuring that enough juniors are brought into the sport - not only to fill future club vacancies, but to hopefully contribute more golf stars to Ireland's rich tradition in the sport - should not be lost on anyone.