Travelling around Australia and enjoying a round of golf along the way in retirement is one of the reasons Gerringong couple Steve and Sharon Moore had when deciding to sign up for the Golf NSW Golf for Seniors program.
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“We both want to do a lot more travelling around Australia.
"We bought a caravan, and we want to take the golf clubs with us because we know that just about everywhere you go there is a golf course.
“It will give us something else to enjoy as we go around,” Steve Moore said.
Run by Golf NSW in conjunction the PGA and the ALPG, the six-week program, now in its second year, is designed to introduce those aged 50 and over to the sport.
Kiama Golf Club is the first club in the Illawarra to start the program and Toby Mc Geachie, the club’s Head Professional, said the initiative is proving to be a hit with the local community.
“Everyone seems to be enjoying it,” he said. “It’s been great for the community and good for the Golf Club.
“We hope by running this program over a period of time, people will get better, enjoy their time on the course and not be intimidated by the sport,” McGeachie said.
For $99, participants learn the fundamentals of the game from how to hold the club properly and hitting shots, to chipping, putting and a basic understanding of the rules in six one-hour clinics.
The Moore’s had little interest in the sport until retirement, but with plenty of time now on their hands, felt they were ready to learn how to play.
“I didn’t feel I had the time to devote to really learning how to play properly while I was working, but lately, I have been.” Sharon Moore said.
Steve remembers hitting a few balls on Cabramatta Golf course when he was growing up, but hasn’t picked up a club for over 30 years.
“I lived opposite Cabramatta (Golf Club) as a young bloke.
"I used to go over there and hit a few balls, but since then I haven’t picked up a club.”
The couple hopes to come away from the program with a better understanding of the sport and the fundamentals in place to be able to participate with friends who are already golfers.
Eventually, they hope to join a club and compete.
“I felt I needed some proper lessons to start with rather than just grabbing a club and hoping for the best.
“I want to hit the ball cleanly down the middle as often as I can, and gradually improve as I go along.
“A lot of my friends play golf and do they organise trips to places like the Murray River and all sorts. I haven’t been on any of them, and I thought it’s about time I got myself organised,” Steve added.
Getting a handicap at first sounded a little daunting to the pair, but Sharon she said she hopes to get out with the ladies eventually.
“There are fairly strong ladies comps around, and I feel like I need to get a bit more experience, but that’s the plan.
“Join up, get a handicap, and play regularly,” she smiled.
For more information on the program and where to register, please visit: http://www.golfnsw.org//seniors
