The IGF Coaching & Growth Committee was established to oversee and advise on all IGF Coaching and Development programmes, by leveraging the educational resources and golf professional expertise of leading PGAs and the International Golf Federation (IGF) membership. The Committee delivers a unified global golf coach training platform in collaboration with the IGF and its national federation members (NFs) that can drive global golf participation and growth.
Today, golf is played by more than 60 million people worldwide in more than 130 countries on six continents. A large number of programmes are currently in place, from grassroots to the highest levels, that aim to inspire future players and fans to play golf and increase participation in the sport.
These programmes are producing tangible and measurable results in attracting people of all ages to the game and providing pathways for them to progress and stay involved in golf for life.
IGF Coaching and Growth Programmes
The IGF recognises that golf coaches play a central role in promoting golf participation and in enhancing the performance of players and teams. In addition to this, coaches contribute to the development of golfers as people, teams as cohesive units and communities with a shared interest. Coaching can also contribute to social aims by promoting activity and health; uniting citizens behind a common entity; and generating economic activity through employment, education, purchase of equipment, use of facilities and attendance at events.
In 2017, the IGF, in collaboration with the PGA World Alliance (PGAWA), published the International Golf Coaching Framework (IGCF). This framework provides a recognised set of criteria (common principles, concepts and tools) to inform the development and qualification of golf coaches in various countries.
One of the main tasks of the IGF Coaching and Growth Committee is the organisation of Technical Courses for Coaches. The Committee leads the delivery of courses to NFs both directly and via the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Coaches Programmes.
Below are some examples of these Technical Courses for Coaches:
- A video of the Technical Course for Coaches (level 2) delivered by the IGF through Olympic Solidarity in Tunisia in February 2019.
- An overview of the Technical Course for Coaches delivered by the IGF through Olympic Solidarity in Colombia in April 2017.
Olympic Solidarity World Programmes
The aim of Olympic Solidarity is to organise assistance for all the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) through multi-faceted programmes prioritising athlete development, training of coaches and sports administrators, and promoting the Olympic ideals.
Olympic Solidarity works closely with the International Federations (IFs) whose sports are on the Olympic programme, the IOC Commissions and several other Olympic Movement partners in order to develop and offer high-quality programmes to all NOCs, particularly those with the greatest needs.
One of the key areas of action under the Olympic Solidarity World Programmes is to support coach and sports administrators education and development through the following:
- Olympic Scholarships for Coaches: These scholarships allow coaches to benefit from high level training at training centres, universities or IFs in sports sciences, golf-specific training or e-learning. NOCs can propose training locations outside the Olympic Solidarity network. They are available to all NOCs, for coaches officially recognised by their National Federation and working in their own country.
- Development of National Sports System: This allows NOCs to develop and strengthen their sports system at local or national level. Funding is provided for the development of a national sports and coaching structure by implementing a mid- to long term action plan for one or several sports. The International IGF expert works with the national coach(es) towards the implementation of an action plan.
- Technical Courses for Coaches: This offers training possibilities at different levels for coaches in line with IGF’s guidelines. Training for coaches led by an expert appointed by the IGF on a national or regional level. These can by through individual or grouped course application.
IGF National Federation Members who wish to apply for Olympic Solidarity funding for the organisation of Technical Courses for Coaches should contact their NOC and refer to the detailed Olympic Solidarity Guidelines. We would encourage our National Federation Members to reach out to their NOC to understand what opportunities may be available for the future. A list of all National Olympic Committees can be found on the IOC website.
IGF National Federation Members who wish to organise Technical Courses for Coaches (Coach Development) with guidance from the IGF can contact us at info@igfmail.org.