The Women's Academy

Our Academy for new golfers is a progressive programme to learn to play golf, supported by Royston Golf Club and England Golf

The Pathway is designed to give a staged, targeted approach for learning to play golf and moving towards gaining a WHS handicap, becoming a full member of Royston Golf Club within a two-year period; at very preferential rates. 

Through this programme new members will be able to join our Section and become part of the thriving Royston Golf Club; being incorporated into all aspects of the Club with support from within to help new players access the game of golf and our social programme.

Following advice from England Golf – the National Governing Body of golf

we have developed a Royston Golf Club Pathway to Handicap.

The Initial W.I.G. Programme:

·       2 Free taster sessions… out of a choice of 4.

·       5 initial group lessons with our Pro - at preferential rates.

Join the Academy for £390

·       5 group golf lessons with our Pro.

·       1 individual lesson with our Pro

·       Plus, a 90 minute on course shared lesson.

·       The opportunity to play with members off set Academy plates on the Course. 

·       Individual free use of the Par 3, the Putting Green and the Range at all times.  

·       Once signed off, by the Pro as understanding basic etiquette and rules of golf, progression to Pathway Stage 1.

·       Restricted access to the Course – as regards timings and number of holes to     be played.

Insurance on Course and Social membership of the Club

Should you wish to play 18 holes before gaining a handicap (unless on Pathway 3), you may play with a WHS golfer, at times when guest players are permitted and pay a guest green fee.  You will not be able to participate in Club competitions without a handicap

Academy members play a maximum of 12 holes - unless on Pathway 3 and should adhere to the terms and times of the Pathways, which is reflected in the very reasonable fees for the Academy.

Should a player show the ability to fast track, consideration will be given (from their scores submitted) to encourage fast tracking to the most appropriate stage.

W.I.G. RGC Pathway Stage 1:

Continued practice using the Par 3, the Range and the Putting Green, individually or in small groups.

Playing off Academy, Turquoise Plates on 9 holes on the Course. 
Holes 1- 6 (miss out 5)  and 15 -18.
Going out in pairs only, to keep up a reasonable pace of play (unless with a RGC member with a WHS handicap then 3 or 4s).
Booking on the IG app after 3:00pm otherwise after. 11:30 1st Nov – 31st March.
Limiting the number of shots played on each Hole – Record the shots on the 9-hole card (if you are ready to do so)
A maximum of 10 shots per hole, then pick up for speed of play on the Course.  If you pick up circle the 10 on your card for clarity that you did not finish the hole. 
Email cards to Kim at  kimbradfield58@gmail.com

These cards will assist us with your progress, which the W.I.G. and the Pro can use to review and plan how to support you further. It is not a judgement but an aid for us to help you progress.  Some cards will be dire and a few will be brilliant!

Once you are signed off by the Pro, having completed the on-course lesson, you may play with another Academy player who is also signed off, but great emphasis must be put on speed of play and courtesy on the course, to our members and the general public.

To move to Pathway Stage 2:  you need to have completed 3, 9-holes off the Academy plates, with a score of 60 or less, submitting cards electronically to KB to collate. Or, at the discretion of WIG (from the scores on your submitted cards) you may be fast tracked.

W.I.G. RGC Pathway Stage 2

Continued practice using the Par 3, the Range and the Putting Green, individually or in small groups.

Having achieved the desired requirements as advised by the Pro and the WIG Committee, you will be invited to join Pathway Stage 2

·       Playing off Red Tees and using the 12 holes 1-8, 15-18

·       Preferably going out in pairs (to support each other), keeping up a reasonable pace of play (unless with a RGC member with a WHS handicap when you play 3s or 4s) Only the Pathway 2 Player may play off the red tees, but a Pathway 1 Player can join you, to play from the Turquoise Plates.

·       Booking on the IG app after 3:00pm, otherwise after 11:30 1st Nov – 31st March.

·       Limiting the number of shots played on each Hole from the red tee – Record the shots on the 18-hole card (if you are ready to do so). The card needs to be completed accurately to be valid.  Examples in the Academy pack and do ask a RGC member.

Maximum of 10 shots per hole, then pick up.  If you pick up circle the 10 on your card. 

·       Email all cards to Kim at kimbradfield58@gmail.com

(These cards show your progress, which the W.I.G. Committee and the Pro can use to review and plan how to support you further.)

Great emphasis must be put on speed of play and courtesy on the course, to our members and the general public

On Pathway Stage 2 (should you feel ready for your handicap) you may submit six 9-hole cards to Sandra Williams (Handicap Secretary) and copied to Kim Bradfield, recorded on the Barrows (9-hole card), marked by someone who has held a handicap for more than a year with a WHS official handicap. 

(For a more accurate handicap it is recommended to follow Pathway Stage 3).  

To move to Pathway Stage 3:  you need to have completed 3, 12-holes, with 90 or less as a score and submitted to KB to collate. Or, at the discretion of the WIG from the evidence gleaned from your cards.

W.I.G. RGC Pathway Stage 3

Having achieved the desired requirements as advised by the Pro and the Ladies Committee, you will be invited to join Pathway Stage 3.

For Pathway 3 you may continue playing as at Pathway 2 and in addition…

Invited to Ladies Morning by the L.C.
Playing a maximum of 4 …18-holes for experience, with a WHS handicap member; and/or submitting a card to KB for handicap if you wish.    

No green fee required. 

This is to…

Gain experience of the whole course with a member who knows it. 
Learn how to approach the new holes.   
Play as a handicap, with 5 shots over the Course Par per hole

                              Par:  5-10, 4-9, 3-8 … then pick up. 

Score on the card accurately.
Manage the speed needed for 18 holes

To play for the Course Handicap with someone who has held a World handicap for more than a year.

You may hand in  

   6 …  9-holes cards

 Or     3… 18-holes cards 

The mix needs to be an even number of 9-hole cards and any number of 18-hole ones to a total of 54 holes. (Advisable to go for an18-hole card for experience)

These cards must be handed to Sandra Williams (Ladies Handicap Secretary), having been signed and marked by yourself and someone with a WHS official handicap of a year or more.  

 - these cards will be submitted to the World Handicap System and you will receive a handicap.

Should you not feel ready to join as a full member, you may continue to play in the Academy under Academy restrictions of time and limit of 12 holes only,  until your second year Academy membership is completed

Academy Membership 2nd Year

The 2nd Year Academy includes for the Year’s Membership

Unlimited use of all Practice and Clubhouse facilities including: 3 - hole short course, practice range, putting green, nets and snooker table

12 holes on the course from the red tees, having reached Pathway 2, at restricted times with any member with a WHS official handicap or another Pathway 2/3 
Year 2 Academy may book from 11:30pm all year (be aware of IG and busy times) 
Pathway 3 to be invited to Ladies Morning by L.C.
Support from the Ladies Section, encouraging confidence on and off the course.
Social Membership
20% discount bar card
Reduced buggy hire
Free bag tag and corporate brochure
Fees include insurance and affiliation to England Golf.

You will be encouraged to take lessons to progress and offered the opportunity to join the Ladies group lessons.

All this for just £500.00 for the Year 2025-26

Should you wish to pay by BACs or a monthly Standing Order over 6 months to Royston Golf Club, please contact the Club Secretary. office@roystongolfclub.co.uk    or call            01763 242696

If you are interested in full membership, please contact the Club Secretary 

Should you join the club as a full member, any previous payment would be set against your annual fee pro rata.   

Once you have gained a handicap you will be encouraged to join Royston Golf Club; be able to play 18 holes including competitions and book times that suit you on IG.  Cost will be looked at favourably with regard to the Academy programme you have undertaken.  Alternatively, you can continue with the second year in the Academy.

This our third consecutive year for the Royston Golf Club Ladies’ Academy.

Since 2021 we have introduced the game to  ‘new to golf’ ladies with our weekly group sessions, where the Pro teaches basic skills, leading onto group sessions with volunteers from the Ladies Section, playing a shortened 6 holes, moving to scoring from the Red tee boxes on 9 holes and  following an On Course lesson with the Pro, playing and scoring without member supervision until finally playing for handicap.

At this time we have several ladies from Academy 21 who have completed the programme, gained their Handicap and are n ow full members of the Club, so enjoying all the events and activities on offer.

Many of the Academy 22 ladies are working on completing their rounds to gain their Handicaps,

whilst the Academy 23 ladies are developing their confidence, knowledge and skills as part of the early stages in the programme.

To support the programme and vary the approach, we hold a very successful, annual Fun and Fizz afternoon for all the ladies involved and have introduced a monthly Greensomes Competition for Academy Ladies with Handicaps and volunteers from the Ladies Section, which is proving very popular too.