„Ausgequetscht“ mit Calum McPherson von GolPhin for Kids

Hello Calum, how are you?

Fine, Thank you!

You live in Scotland. The motherland of golf. How did you get to golf?

I was lucky ! My primary school had a golf trophy to play for and my friends and I all wanted to win it ! Also my father was a golf enthusiast and our family business manufactured golf clubs going back 50 years – so golf was and remains in my DNA

When did you start golfing?

At the age of 7 on short pitch and putt golf courses – back then Scotland had hundreds of 9 hole short courses , ideal for kids in the beginning . God knows we need these back today !

Are there many children in Scotland who play golf?

Sadly participation has dropped off so right now it’s less than 1 in 200 kids aged 12 or younger plays golf – it’s our mission to change this working with schools , golf clubs , coaches , parents and ofcourse kids to make golf fun and easier to learn . That’s why we do what we do . Every country we work with faces similar challenges in attracting kids to play golf . Our products and curriculum are all designed to make it fun , engaging and easier for golf clubs to Recruit , Retain and Reward children in to the great game.

What must a child do in Scotland to play on a golf course?

Our schools program is the starting point – we are providing free access to beginners fun golf making the kids to WANT to CHOOSE golf . By making it fun and engaging at school where kids are having fun with their friends , the kids DEMAND to their parents that they WANT to play golf . Then the parents have no choice , the kid is CHOOSING and the parents invariably will always support their kids desires . This is a complete change from the traditional hopeful approach when parents take the kids hoping they will enjoy it . Groups of kids CHOOSING the sport is the way forward .

What is a typical youth training in Scotland?

We have developed a Pathway program which helps golf coaches structure a junior program . It provides golf clubs and coaches with a process map and protocol enriched with ideas and videos to make the kids journey from Beginners to Winners a fun filled and inspiring experience . It also has a digital platform for kids to upload their REWARDS  as they progress through Skills Challenges and Short Course stages . Videos accessibly to the kids and parents also helps the kids with independent practice ideas , ideal for kids to Play – Practice-Play.

How did you get the idea to found a company like GolPhin for Kids?

Golf for me and my family is the greatest sport for so many reasons . It’s like life , it presents challenges , opportunities , creates prospects for life long friendships and perhaps above all it teaches us a lot about ourselves – our strengths , our frailties , our abilities to handle both success and failure . It today’s turbulent world we all live in , I believe golf is the best sport to help kids ( and adults ) about life skills . Humility , respect , trust , integrity , concentration , coordination and many more – all tried tested and developed by playing golf . My passion is to ensure as many kids as possible are provided with the gift of golf .

What is special about GolPhin for Kids?

We aim inspire kids to choose golf by developing and delivering fun easy to play golf. The science behind our clubs , borrowed from my 18 yrs working in the aerospace industry , are bespoke for kids biomechanics . Easy to swing , gets the ball in the air and most of all makes golf fun . We reinvest cask made for selling clubs to create programs like schools and Pathway – our passion simply put , to inspire golf’s next generation

Thank you for your time!