Scottish Golf have today launched a survey to all Scottish golfers, who are affiliated through their club, to gather important demographic data. There are over 209,000 golf club members who play the game every year. However, it has been five years since the governing body gathered data on whether those golfers are representative of the broader Scottish population.
As part of Scottish Golf’s ongoing commitment to grow the game and make golf as inclusive and diverse a sport as possible, they are surveying golfers, coaches and their own staff and Board on equalities characteristics.
This survey, to be circulated on Monday 13 March, will ask 10 short questions and establish an evidence base for future activities, policies and practice. It is entirely anonymous and asks respondents to self-identify their ethnic group, sex, trans status, religious denomination and sexual orientation. It will also help the body understand where there is a need for more equitable practices which do not disproportionately and adversely affect minority groups or those with protected characteristics.
As Scottish Golf receives public funding, they are also required to report back in line with the Public sector equality duty (PSED) which aims to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.
Andrew Baptie, Scottish Golf’s Head of Club Services & Governance:
“This is a hugely important and positive step in our data journey. We want to take meaningful measures to improve, and to do that we need to be fully appraised of the current landscape. The survey results will give us valuable insights into how we can generate a more diverse and inclusive game in Scotland, and how we can support our membership to continue to do the same.”
The data that is collected will be shared with Scottish Golf’s affiliated clubs in due course. Scottish Golf’s current strategic cycle runs until 2026, and includes ambitions for an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion framework. This framework enhances the existing investment in increasing women and girls’ participation through Girls’ Golf Hubs, Learn to Golf and the National Junior Framework.
In addition to the above, Scottish Golf are supporting EDGA with their G4D event at St Andrews in April, offering a full suite of event management. It is hoped more events like this will become a regular part of the Scottish Golf portfolio.