A - Z of Sports
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Golf:
Unsurprisingly the first recorded game of golf took place in Scotland, in the 1400s. It's now a popular sport worldwide. There are municipal or public courses across the country. The object is to get the gold ball from the start (the tee) to a hole by playing different strokes the fewer strokes the better the score for that hole. Golf courses offer 9 or 18 holes, of different degrees of difficulty, requiring players to use different golf clubs depending on the shot required. These courses are open to all players, and often you can hire clubs. You may need to book your round of golf. Contrary to misconceptions, golf clubs are not the preserve of the rich, or open only to men. Clubs and courses everywhere welcome new members of all ages and abilities and women's golf grows from strength to strength. Clubs can help you to get lessons and improve your game if you'd like to play regularly.
The English Golf Union Limited (EGU) has served as the governing body of male amateur golf in England since it was founded in 1924. It looks after the interests of over 1,900 golf clubs and 740,000 club members. It works to increase the interest and participation in golf through their golf development programme 'Get into Golf' which includes initiatives to promote the game to both juniors and adults. The EGU's Associate Membership Programme provides a facility whereby players who are unable to join an affiliated club can maintain a recognized handicap and take part in competitions and events with like minded golfers.
Find out more:
English Golf Union
Ladies Golf Union
The LGU was founded in 1893 and is the governing body for ladies' amateur golf in Great Britain and Ireland.
Find out more:
Ladies Golf Union
English Women's Golf Association
Gymnastics:
Gymnastics covers many different disciplines. All are skilled and challenging. Gymnastics clubs across the country offer training with skilled, qualified coaches.
Under the overall description of gymnastics lie the individual disciplines and activities of:
- Men's Artistic Gymnastics
- Women's Artistic Gymnastics
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Trampoline and Tumbling Gymnastics
- Acrobatic Gymnastics
- Aerobic Gymnastics
- General Gymnastics
- Double Mini Tramp
- GMPD
Boys and girls receive warm welcomes at clubs across the country. Many stay in gymnastics and compete through their club. Others find that the balance and skill developed through gymnastics training can be applied to different sports.
Training and support from qualified coaches is key to enjoying gymnastics and becoming successful. Your local gymnastics club or sports centre can give you more information.
British Gymnastics Association is the only recognised Governing Body for the sport of gymnastics within the UK, and a good source of information.
Find out more:
British Gymnastics Association
