Ahead of the 152nd Open at Troon, Scottish Golf has teamed up with the Golf Foundation to embark on an exciting journey with the successful launch of the Unleash Your Drive programme. The initiative is aimed at equipping young people with vital mental toughness tools and developing a love for golf, all through easy to deliver programmes in primary schools.
Unleash Your Drive embeds nine mental toughness tools designed to help children navigate life's challenges. With 18% of young people facing probable mental health issues and children from disadvantaged backgrounds being three times more likely to suffer from mental health problems, the programme's launch comes at a crucial time.
Close to 1,000 schools in England, Wales and Ireland have registered their interest in the Unleash Your Drive in Schools initiative since its launch in September 2023, with the first results from schools indicating some incredible results – a 26% rise in understanding of mental toughness tools and use, alongside a 6% improvement in mental wellbeing in just six weeks.
As well as producing online content, which is accessible for all, and working with Golfway to provide equipment for young people, the Golf Foundation is also seeking to provide the whole programme as a fully funded offer to those who need it the most.
In June, Unleash Your Drive took its first steps in Scotland with two impactful Unleash Your Drive training workshops led by mental toughness expert Pete Wortley alongside Andy Leigh, who spearheads the Unleash Your Drive initiative at the Golf Foundation. These sessions were attended by Scottish Golf staff, golf coaches, and representatives from six local authority areas - Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Fife, and Moray. The workshops, organised by Alex Knight, Community Impact Manager at Scottish Golf, followed early consultations with local authorities and the Active Schools network.
Alex Knight praised the workshops, saying, "The training was really informative, and the practical sessions brilliantly demonstrated how to apply mental toughness theory. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and there have been some excellent discussions with partners on how to implement the programme in various areas. We are excited to see where this leads."
Unleash Your Drive will complement Scottish Golf's National Junior Framework, which offers a wide range of programmes, events, resources, and opportunities for junior golf across Scotland. Brendon Pyle, CEO of the Golf Foundation, said: "We are very excited about what can be achieved with Unleash Your Drive. The programme aims to get more children into golf, create pathways into the sport, and support children's mental health and wellbeing. These outcomes attract interest from schools, communities, and golf clubs, and we are committed to making a significant impact on multiple fronts with Unleash Your Drive."
