RETENTION

Olympic Medals

Most juniors have become aware of the Olympics and the Gold, Silver, Bronze medals that awarded which happens to be the same colors on the MYGolf Skills Chart.  Purchase some gold, silver, bronze medals to be awarded for special golf contest during your lessons.  Kids love symbols of accomplishments and they will take them home to show families and friends.      

MYGolf Centre – Palm Meadows, Pete Harrington

Communicate with parents

Parents need to know if their child is progressing and staying on track in their development they will ultimately determine the value of your program on the end result, which is their child’s progress.  Being able to measure their progress and communicate this in a positive and exciting way is the responsibility of the coaching staff.  This can be done with awards, MYGolf Skills Chart, or communicating it to the parents directly with a chat or email.  As long as the parents know their child is enjoying the experience and doing well, they will normally continue in your program.

MYGolf Centre – Nanango Golf Club, Bill Horner

Create a Facebook Page

I created a Facebook page for my junior program which has been a big hit.  The juniors all ‘liked’ it right away and used it to post their golf accomplishments.  I use it to encourage all my students, share information on upcoming events, list competition results, and even link videos of my students swing.  It has made my junior golf program more fun for the juniors and I believe helps to retain them as students.

Golf Queensland

Create a student Membership

Give each one of your new junior students a membership card which entitles them to special benefits.  The benefits could include discounts on various services at your club and might include a discount on private lessons, a discount on range balls to encourage them to practice, a discounted on green fees to encourage them to play, or a discount in the café and golf shop to encourage them to dine and shop at your course.  The card can also be used as a rewards card with benefits when they spend a set amount. 

Golf Queensland

Get results from school programs

When you teach a school program, organise each session carefully so that you create the result you seek.  Consider starting in the classroom where you have their full attention, teach them about safety, rules, and etiquette.  Start getting them interested in the game by showing a few inspiring videos and encourage them to start becoming a fan.  Organise your school program so at the end, it transitions naturally into your junior golf program at the course by having a special event for your class combined with a sign on day for parents. 

Golf Queensland

Different Color Hats

Create distinctive levels to your junior program by awarding a new color golf hat to be worn during the lessons.  Like the belt system in martial arts, distinguishing your students based on their accomplishments can bring a feeling of pride and can motivate them to accomplish even more. 

Provide Equipment                                          

The MYGolf equipment provided is only to introduce kids to the game.  Once they learn some basics with the 7 iron, it’s important they explore the driver which represents some great fun.  Providing these clubs for them will help get them interested enough to purchase a set of clubs and become a golfer.

Teamwork

We engage our golf students in various formats that make playing on the course more fun.  The juniors love to play Ambrose, Chapman, and Scotch formats, which means they must learn to work together as a team. It also teaches them some valuable problem solving skills. 

Get them on the course

I have my students on the course after only two lessons. I have found that this is vital to keep them coming back. I leave the advanced coaching to the qualified professionals by having them work with my students only once a month, this allows for some swing correction and fine tuning.  I focus on teaching the basics and assure that the students are having fun and like to play the game. I have found that making the game easy to learn means to keep everything they learn relative to playing the course. 

MYGolf Centre - Gatton Jubilee Golf Club, Laurie Didsman

 

Provide Shirts

I like to give all my new students a logo shirt on their first lesson and I have them wear it to all the junior lessons.  The cost is minimal when you consider the benefits.  I find my students are retained much longer in my program as they seem more committed to learning the game.  A side benefit is that it looks great to have all the students in uniform when they are being taught; this attracts adults with children who make inquires to our program. 

3/6/9/18 Hole Levels

I break my juniors up by there ability to score on a certain number of holes, when they achieve the scoring goal, they graduate to the next level which is very exciting.  Once they reach a 36 handicap for 18 holes, they are invited into the club for junior membership which is like becoming a real golfer.  I find the juniors love this pathway and work hard to achieve membership which holds a degree of respect in our small community.  This is also a wonderful feeder program for new members at our club as we often attract the parents as members as well.

Remembering Names

We all know how important it is and how nice it is when someone we barely know remembers our name.  However, most of us readily admit that we are poor at remembering names.  Studies show that this is the one skill that retains customers better than anything else; it’s the relational skill that’s worth its weight in gold.  Don’t be shy about asking their name twice, repeat their name in conversation, and use association methods.  Raise your level of intent and make a commitment and watch your customers hang around much longer.   

MYGolf Centre - Rachel Hetherington Golf Range - Rachel Hetherington