The Dorset Academy Programmes & Development Squads will help develop boy to progress into the U12, U14, U16 and U18 Squads, and beyond.

Please be aware that previous participation in the Academy/Futures Squads does not guarantee a place in the revised structure and may involve travel to a different venue to be in the appropriate squad.

Players will be invited to assessment days for the Development Squads and Academy Squads if they meet the criteria or have been identified by the Dorset Junior Coaching Team. Parents are also invited to submit the Squad Application Form if they feel their child meets or is close to the stated criteria.

The Dorset Club Academy scheme is now available to all Dorset Clubs to make an application.

The aim is to help create a network of approved club academies which give Junior golfers in the County the chance to have fun and enjoy golf in a relaxed and friendly environment, with excellent coaching by golf instructors at high quality and well-equipped venues. Importantly, it provides an opportunity to be identified as a potential candidate for the Dorset County Golf Development Pathway.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a grant a club must:

• Be Dorset affiliated
• Have a minimum of 10 junior members
• Provide minimum of two 5/6-week junior coaching program
• Be registered with the Golf Foundation
• Have all ‘Safe Golf’ & ‘Respect in Golf’ required policies and procedures relating to Safeguarding and Child Protection up to date and in place
• Have a designated Club Welfare Officer
• Have a qualified PGA (or equivalent), Golf Club Activator Volunteer or Community Golf Instructor to deliver the coaching sessions with up-to-date DBS listed on Safe Golf Register

The County will provide:

• £250 per club per annum funding for the Club Academy
• Recognition and accreditation as a registered “Dorset Club Academy”
• Support from the County Academy Manager
• Dorset County Club Academy Facility signage
• Inclusion across County social media platforms, website and monthly newsletter

The Club Academy will need to:

• Based on the Dorset County coaching principles, deliver a minimum of 10/12 coaching sessions per year, for a minimum of 8 attendees per session
• Submit the dates and attendees to the County Academy Manager in a timely manner
• Complete Assessment Forms and submit to the County Academy Manager by the date required in order to discuss any candidates who should  be invited to progress onto the Dorset County Golf  Development Pathway

Process and Key Dates

February - Application form available on County Website

March 31st – Applications close

April – Grant awards for 2023 issued

August – Junior Assessment Forms submitted to County Academy Manager to coincide with Dorset Academy & Development trials

Assessment & Identification of Talent

The County Performance Team will review Dorset County Junior Assessment Forms submitted by each club academy and discuss with the Club/Professional any candidates to be invited to progress onto the Dorset County Golf Development Pathway.

County Club Academy Success Criteria  

• Handicap Reduction
• Skills Test results
• Attendance levels
• Progression onto Development Pathway
• Performance Manager Assessment

Dorset County Golf Development Pathway