The Taskers Funding will benefit Nottinghamshire by supporting and expanding the County Junior coaching programme. Most importantly, the funding enables us to provide a coaching programme that will increase and maintain junior numbers, ensure enjoyment and social interactions, and motivate and encourage entries into local, regional, and national events.

Last year, the majority of the Taskers funding was used to support the Nippers Tour and the Mini Ryder Cup. Boys and girls played 7 events over 7 different courses. U8’s up to U12’s played 9 holes, and U7’s played 6 and 4 holes. The Ryder Cup is played at the end of the season against Shropshire and Herefordshire Pee Wees.

We aim to provide the opportunity for all boys and girls to play golf and help them develop their potential through coaching, motivation, dedication, and commitment from both them and us, encouraging them to reach their goals. We provide support for all players, from Nippers into County Squads.

Funding will be used to provide autumn/winter coaching sessions (22 x 2 hours for boys and 10 x 2 hours for girls) and spring and summer coaching sessions (7 x 6 hours for boys, 5 x 6 hours for girls, and 3 x 3 hours for nippers). The coaching programme covers course management, putting, swing analysis, long and short game, chipping, and bunker play. The coaching professionals set skill exercises for practice, and results are recorded and analysed.

The results are measured by reductions in handicaps for 2023/2024: Boys U18 – 21.3%, U16 – 32.6%, U14 – 28.4%, U12 – 37.3%. Girls U18/U16 – 2.8%, U14 – 0.05%.

Our success is measured by how many new players are encouraged to join clubs, obtain handicaps, and enter events. We provide support for all players, from Nippers into county squads: U12’s, U14’s, U16’s, and U18’s. In the past ten years, Nottinghamshire has had 4 boys who started as Nippers reach international status, and four are now in England regional squads.

Gordon Bruce - The Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs