St Andrews Links Trust has launched a new schools scheme to create pathways into golf for young people, with almost 100 children already taking part in lessons and a further 60 pupils on the waiting list.
Female participation was high, with 44% of all participants being girls, including a dedicated girls’ group at Madras College.
Launching in September 2025, the program aims to introduce the game to schoolchildren in an accessible and inclusive way. It has had a significant impact on all three local primary schools in St Andrews (Greyfriars, Canongate and Lawhead) as well as the secondary school, Madras College.
The centerpiece of the program is a new after-school program delivered directly on campus, designed to complement the long-established St. Andrews Links Junior Golf Program (SALJGA).
By bringing golf into a familiar environment, the trust provides children with the opportunity to try the sport for the first time in a comfortable environment.
Sessions are hosted by the Trust’s specially trained ‘Community Champions’, whose staff provide fun, engaging activities that provide the first steps into golf.
This includes introducing participants to all aspects of the game, including putting, chipping and long game. Adaptive equipment is used and a range of fun games are incorporated into each session.
Four schools have been hosting six weekly sessions since September, giving students, many of whom have never played a golf club before, the chance to experience golf for the first time.
Laurie Watson, director of engagement at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm shown by St Andrews students in their first year of the school programme.
“Our aim is to provide every child in St Andrews with an opportunity to experience the game in a way that is enjoyable, welcoming and relevant to them. Whether they become golfers, pursue new interests through STEM learning or simply enjoy new experiences at Golf House, this project is all about creating opportunities for young people.
“The response from schools, families and students has been fantastic and we are excited to continue this work in 2026.”
In addition to extra-curricular clubs, the school program offers a wider range of learning and creative opportunities.
These include a design and coloring competition, the Playground Cup, a fun and inclusive event planned for spring 2026 at St Andrews Links Golf Academy and Balgov Course, and the Design a Pin Flag project, where students design pin flags inspired by “Why I Love St Andrews” and display their winning entries on the course.
The school also participated in First Green field trips, where primary classes visited St Andrews Links to explore how Greenkeepers and West Sands Rangers use STEM principles in their daily work.
Students can learn about irrigation, state-of-the-art machinery, local wildlife and habitats, as well as bunker raking and hole replacement, before enjoying short and long-term golf lessons at the Academy.
Work experience opportunities add another important dimension to the programme, with seven students due to complete placements in the green and retail sectors in 2025.
These practical experiences provide valuable insight into a variety of careers at St Andrews Links, and the Trust hopes to extend placements to other departments in the near future.
Following the success of the inaugural programme, the trust is planning the second phase of the schools programme, due to take place in spring 2026.
