To give golf a strong impulse, the Dutch Golf Federation (NGF), together with the PGA Holland and the Dutch Owners Association (NVG) developed a nine-step plan.
Why a 9-step plan?
A very large group of beginner golfers quit the game after one or two years. This is partly due to the lack of the skills, but also a big part has to do with the social side: not being/feeling part of the/a community makes it easy to quit.
The Dutch 9/step program contains a golf buddy program. In this program a beginner golfer will get an experienced golfer (club member) as buddy, who will guide the new golfer in its process of introduction to the golf club tribe. This will be achieved by playing golf together, the golf buddy will explain the etiquettes, give the newcomer insight in the club but most important, the golf buddy’s role is to form an engagement and a connection with the newcomer and golf club. This gives a new golfer an easy entrance to the community, in this way the (new) golfer will feel at ease more easily at the club. A big advantage to create a nice social feeling on and around the course!