In 1993 Junior Golf Australia designed Go-Go Golf, a modified version of golf introduced for children.

Since that time the Graham Marsh Junior Golf Foundation has taken on the responsibility of conducting the Smarter Than Smoking Wilson Go-Go Golf programme in Western Australia , offering it to primary schools as part of their curriculum. By targeting Year 5 to Year 7 classes, over 90 schools and 6000 students are visited each year.

The programme is aimed at introducing golf to children in a safe, fun and educational environment.

Smarter than Smoking Go-Go Golf is a Healthway funded programme and, as indicated earlier, currently carries the Smarter Than Smoking message. This enables the Graham Marsh Junior Golf Foundation to provide the programme to schools at no cost.

At present the GMJGF owns three sets of Go-Go Golf equipment that is available for use when not being utilised by the Foundation staff. Each set is made up of approximately seventy golf balls, fifteen golf clubs, a kit bag and numerous tees. Schools can use witches hats, hoops and flags to enhance the teachings.

The clubs used are seven irons and drivers and are presently produced by Wilson but a wide range of gear is also available. The equipment can be seen on the Golf Australian website at www.golfaustralia.org.au. These clubs are lighter in weight, have slightly larger clubheads and have more flexible shafts than the adult version.

The golf balls are made of rubber and travel approximately sixty metres when hit by a student. There are exceptions to this rule though, some shots travel up to one hundred metres when hit down wind.

All equipment is available through Golf Australian and contact details are available from the Foundation.

Smarter than Smoking Go-Go Golf programmes can range from a single one-hour lesson to a series of clinics over a three-week period, with the latter being the preferred option. Class times range from forty-five minutes to one hour in duration.

Each school booking will be arranged to best suite the school timetable and the Foundation is available to visit each school for up to half a day. E.g. two classes from the start of school until recess and two between recess and lunch.

Due to the size of the equipment, age groups are restricted to Years 5 - 7 and class sizes to a maximum of 30.

The basic three-week Smarter than Smoking Go-Go Golf programme takes place on the school oval and introduces students to the basics of the game. The first two weeks involve the students hitting golf balls from bays set up to resemble a driving range. Skills learnt include grip, stance, alignment, posture, chipping and driving.

Week three of the programme involves the construction of a five-hole golf course on which the students play a teams event called ambrose. If the oval size isn't big enough for the course, alternative games will be played.

Bookings for Smarter than Smoking Go-Go Golf in 2009 will commence in December 2008. Places are limited to 80 schools so early enquiries ensure your involvement.

For further information about booking Go-Go Golf sessions, please contact the GMJGF Development Officer's Gavin Reed or Cameron Avery on 9474 1005 or email gmjgf@wagolf.com.au