September marked the end of the four-year cycle of the Canterbury Golf Young People in Golf Plan, during which the junior game enjoyed significant growth in playing numbers. This was highlighted by an overall 121% increase in junior membership with the now 1269 junior club memberships in Canterbury. This represents an increase of nearly 700 junior players across the region, coinciding with larger numbers of junior players participating in junior events and learn and play programmes as part of a structured pathway which takes into account the different abilities and motivations of young people and how they wish to enjoy their golf.
“We are delighted with the growth in participation we have seen since the launch of the Young People in Golf Plan back in September 2021”, Canterbury Golf GM Blair Minton reflects. “One of the big things we were aiming to achieve was to offer a pathway for any young person who wants to play golf by offering programmes for all levels as well as appropriate learning and playing formats. This pathway we feel not only offers something for the young person taking their first swings, but also gives those with more experience or ambition the opportunity to develop through event series such as our Junior Opens whilst at the same time enjoying so many of our great Canterbury Golf courses.”
Snapshot of the numbers:
By gender:
| Girls | Sept-21 | Sept-25 | % Change |
| Total | 98 | 116 | 18.37% |
| Pending Handicaps | 38 | 47 | 23.68% |
| 36+ handicaps | 38 | 35 | -7.89% |
| 10-36 handicaps | 14 | 20 | 42.86% |
| 10 or under handicaps | 8 | 14 | 75.00% |
| Boys | Sept-21 | Sept-25 | % Change |
| Total | 476 | 1153 | 142.23% |
| Pending Handicaps | 134 | 409 | 205.22% |
| 36+ handicaps | 205 | 238 | 16.10% |
| 10-36 handicaps | 114 | 429 | 276.32% |
| 10 or under handicaps | 23 | 77 | 234.78% |
Alongside the increased number of participants, we have also witnessed an impressive lowering of Junior golfers playing handicaps. In 2021 there were around 160 junior golfers on a handicap of 36 or lower, fast forward to 2025 and we now have 540 golfers in that range, including 91 golfers on sub-10 handicaps. Many of these golfers are now representing their clubs in interclub competitions, both Junior and Senior.
The management and delivery of the Futures Canterbury Hubs continues to play an important part within the framework, offering those introductory experiences with its barrier-reducing model designed to be the “shop window” for the game and the participating clubs. The Hub’s membership offering, learn and play programmes, and events continue to offer that first step for so many juniors and Canterbury Golf is thankful to all the clubs participating in this.
Looking forward, Canterbury Golf now has the opportunity over the next couple of months to review the current pathway for young golfers, and with the increased playing numbers, look at what else is now required alongside the continued delivery of the parts of the plan which have brought success to date.
