A new schools programme launched by St Andrews Links Trust, which creates pathways into golf for young people, has seen almost 100 children take part in sessions with a further 60 pupils on waiting lists.
Female participation has been strong, with 44% of all participants being girls, including a dedicated girls’ group at Madras College.
Launched in September 2025, the programme has been developed to introduce schoolchildren to the game in an accessible and inclusive way. It is already making a significant impact across all three local primary schools in St Andrews: Greyfriars, Canongate and Lawhead, as well as secondary school, Madras College.
At the heart of the initiative is a new after-school programme delivered directly on school grounds, designed to complement the long-established St Andrews Links Junior Golf Programme (SALJGA).
By bringing golf into familiar environments, the Trust is offering children the chance to try the sport for the first time in a comfortable setting.
Sessions are led by the Trust’s specially trained “Community Champions”, staff members who deliver fun, engaging activities that provide the first step on the pathway into golf.
This included introducing participants to all aspects of the game, including putting, chipping and long game. Adaptive equipment was used, and a selection of fun games were incorporated into each session.
Since September, six sessions per week have been delivered across the four schools, giving pupils, many of whom have never held a golf club before, the opportunity 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 schoolchildren in St Andrews during this first year of our Schools Programme.
“Our aim is to provide an opportunity for every child in St Andrews to experience the sport in a way that feels enjoyable, welcoming and relevant to them. Whether they become golfers, pursue new interests through STEM learning or simply enjoy a new experience at the Home of Golf, this programme is about creating opportunities for young people.
“The response from schools, families and pupils has been fantastic, and we are excited to continue this work in 2026.”
Alongside the after-school clubs, the Schools Programme offers a range of wider learning and creative opportunities.
These include design and colouring competitions, the ‘Playground Cup’, a fun and inclusive event planned for spring 2026 at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy and Balgove Course, and a “Design a Pin Flag” project, where pupils design a pin flag, inspired by the theme “What I love about St Andrews,” with winning entries displayed on-course.
Schools have also been taking part in First Green field trips, where primary classes visit St Andrews Links to explore how Greenkeepers and West Sands Rangers use STEM principles in their daily work.
Pupils learn about irrigation, state-of-the-art machinery, local wildlife and habitats, as well as bunker raking and hole changing, before enjoying both short- and long-game golf lessons at the Academy.
Work experience opportunities have added another important dimension to the programme, with seven students completing placements across Greenkeeping and Retail in 2025.
These hands-on experiences offer valuable insight into the variety of careers at St Andrews Links, and the Trust hopes to expand placements to additional departments in the near future.
Following the success of this inaugural programme, the Trust is planning a second block of the Schools Programme, scheduled to take place in Spring 2026.
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