PGA Professional Gareth Howell of Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club has been honoured with the Wales Golf PGA Development Professional Award in 2026, marking the second time in four years he has picked up this prestigious accolade.
The award recognised his contribution to growing the game in Wales and a large part of his work has been with New2Golf, which was developed by Wales Golf to provide a welcoming introduction into the game for beginners, and particularly women.
New2Golf intends to introduce the sport to people of all ages with a friendly and supportive environment. The programmes have been delivered to over 100 women and resulted in plenty of new female club members. Prospective participants can find the nearest available lessons and clinics on the Wales Golf website as part of the initiative.
“As the PGA Head Teaching Professional at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club, I have been fortunate to deliver the programme locally over a number of years and see first-hand the impact it has had,” Howell said.
“The original goal was to remove barriers to participation, create a friendly and supportive environment, and give people the opportunity to experience all aspects of the game.
“Through the six-week programme, participants are introduced to everything from the short game and long game to understanding how golf is played on the course. Just as importantly, it creates a social and welcoming environment where people can build confidence, make connections and develop a lasting enjoyment of golf.
“The success of the programme demonstrates the fantastic work both Wales Golf and Pyle & Kenfig are doing to help grow the game and make it more accessible across Wales.
“The biggest success has been creating an environment where people feel comfortable and supported,” he added. “The free six-week programme gives participants the opportunity to learn all aspects of the game, from the short game and long game through to understanding how golf is played on the course.
“Equally important is the social aspect. We encourage people to ask questions, stay connected through group communication and support each other throughout the journey. That sense of belonging has played a huge role in retaining participants and helping them progress into regular golfers or members of the golf club.”
Initiatives like New2Golf with a welcoming, open-armed tone are crucial to increasing participation in the sport. In March 2026, Wales Golf revealed data showing that women’s participation is on the up.
A National Survey of Wales showed golf, including driving ranges and social play, had a participation level of 100,000 adults, or almost 2% of the population of Wales, during the four-week period of the survey.
Pictured: PGA Professional Gareth Howell
“A common misconception is that you need to be good before you can start playing golf. Many people worry about not being able to hit the ball properly or feel they will be judged by others, golf really isn’t a game of perfect,” Howell said.
“The reality is that every golfer started as a beginner. I tackle those anxieties by creating a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment where improvement happens naturally. Clear communication is important, but so is helping people understand that mistakes are part of learning. If people enjoy the experience, they are far more likely to stay involved in the game.”
Figures also showed the number of women joining golf clubs went up by around 4% in 2025, while men’s membership increased by 5%, with overall membership up 7% for adults and juniors.
This came after the Welsh Government gave a £1 million Legacy Fund to ensure a long-term benefit from Royal Porthcawl hosting the AIG Women’s Open in 2025, with a significant boost to women’s golf participation in Wales.
Thanks to the Fund, new facilities for women and girls at almost 50 clubs around Wales have been completed and are starting to be used.
To help starters get underway with their first golf lessons, Howell intends to make them feel as comfortable as possible, and to create a positive environment.
“The most common emotion I see is nervousness,” he said. “Whether it's a junior picking up a club for the first time or a woman attending her first golf lesson, there is often a feeling of uncertainty because they are stepping into something completely new.
“What stands out is that those nerves quickly turn into excitement once they realise golf is far more welcoming and enjoyable than they expected. As a coach, one of my main aims is to make people feel comfortable from the moment they arrive. Building relationships and creating a positive environment is just as important as teaching the technical side of the game.
“There are often concerns about fitting in, knowing the etiquette and feeling confident enough to come to a golf club for the first time,” he added. “Golf has sometimes been perceived as an exclusive or intimidating sport, and that can create barriers for people who are interested in trying it.
“I think the key is to break those barriers down early. We spend time talking through any concerns, explaining how things work and making sure everyone feels welcome. Once people realise they don't need any previous experience and that everyone starts somewhere, their confidence grows very quickly.”
One visit to the Wales Golf website will tell you all you need to know about the various schemes and sessions across the country that provide opportunities for women, juniors and disabled people to access golf.
From the previously mentioned survey, figures also showed that overall golf club membership in Wales increased to 56,501, with 45,171 male members and 5,549 females. Junior membership was at 5,781, with 5,276 boys and 505 girls.
At the end of 2025, Wales Golf reported that the PING Welsh Junior Tour had a record-breaking season of participation, having expanded to an under 18s division.
A record number of girls took part, going up by half from the previous season, and overall entries to this junior golf tour increased by two thirds. It is fair to say that through different initiatives, both women’s and junior golf in Wales have shown encouraging signs of popularity.
Each of these players had to start somewhere, and the first lesson for any golfer can have a profound effect on their first impressions of the sport, and if they believe they will go on to enjoy it.
“The reality is that every golfer started as a beginner. I tackle those anxieties by creating a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment where improvement happens naturally" - Gareth Howell
“The first session is all about making the person feel comfortable. Before we even start talking about technique, I want to understand what has brought them to golf and what they would like to get out of it.
“As a coach, I believe in adapting to the player in front of me. Every person learns differently, so it's important to listen first and then tailor the experience to their needs. I focus on simple, achievable goals and making the session enjoyable. If somebody leaves smiling and looking forward to their next lesson, that's a successful first session.
“My coaching philosophy is built around communication, relationships and adaptability. I often describe coaching as being a chameleon; you need to adapt to the individual standing in front of you rather than expecting everyone to learn the same way.
“With beginners, the priority is creating confidence and enjoyment. Technical improvement is important, but if someone enjoys the process and feels supported, the learning becomes much easier. My goal is always to help people fall in love with the game while building solid foundations that allow them to progress.”
PGA Professionals play a vital role in providing gateways for those who want to begin playing the game, and Howell believes PGA Professionals have the opportunity to create meaningful and positive experiences for participants.
“I believe PGA Professionals play a hugely important role in growing the game,” he said. “We are often the first point of contact for someone considering golf, so we have a responsibility to create positive experiences and make the game feel welcoming and accessible.
“As PGA Professionals, we should be striving to provide a high-quality service to everyone, regardless of age, background or ability. The more inclusive and approachable we make golf, the more opportunities we create for future generations to enjoy the game.”
Howell is the prime example of how PGA Members can positively impact a newcomer’s golf journey. Howell has been a PGA Professional since 2014 and completed his PGA Foundation Degree while working at Royal Porthcawl. He joined the neighbouring Pyle & Kenfig four years ago.
He won the Wales Golf PGA Development Professional Award for the first time in 2023. At that point, the junior academy at the club boasted over 40 juniors and at least 20 of them had joined the club’s membership.
With the help of the club’s members and colleagues, Howell has been able to make a continued impact at grassroots level in South Wales.
“Receiving this award is a huge honour and something I am incredibly proud of, particularly as it reflects the work being done to grow the game at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club and across Wales,” Howell said.
“What keeps me motivated is seeing the impact golf can have on people's lives. Whether it's a junior attending their first coaching session, a woman taking up the game through a New2Golf programme, or a golfer reaching a goal they never thought possible, those moments are what make the job so rewarding.
Pictured: PGA Professional Gareth Howell
“Since joining Pyle & Kenfig from Royal Porthcawl in 2022, one of our main objectives was to grow participation, particularly among juniors and women. With the support and guidance of Dylan Williams, our Head Professional and Director of Golf, we have seen junior membership increase to more than five times what it was when I arrived and welcomed more than 20 new female members to the club. Seeing those players develop, gain confidence and become part of the club community is incredibly satisfying.
“As my career has progressed, my passion for coaching and helping people has only grown stronger. Golf has given me so much, and if I can help somebody start their journey in the game or support them in achieving their goals, then I know I am making a positive difference.
“A special thank you must go to my team at home. My wife, Gemma, and our three girls are incredibly supportive and are my biggest cheerleaders. After a busy day at the golf club, their encouragement and support mean everything, and I certainly wouldn't be able to do what I do without them.
“That support, combined with seeing more people enjoying golf and becoming part of the game, is what continues to drive me every day and motivates me to keep growing the game here in Wales.”
In May, the National Golf Foundation also reported that from 2020 to 2025, there was a 45% rise in the number of on-course female golfers.
Female golfers have experienced a net gain of 2.5 million in participation in that time. The reports also said that in total, women and girls have accounted for 52% of the net participation gains in green grass golf from 2020 to 2025. This has pushed female participation within the traditional golf population to 28%, which is up from 20% in 2012.
Howell described the advice he would pass on to other PGA Members on how to grow participation among women and juniors.
“Focus on people first. Building relationships, communicating clearly and creating a welcoming environment are the foundations of successful participation programmes.
“Be prepared to listen, understand what motivates individuals and adapt your coaching accordingly. Creating opportunities for people to try golf in a relaxed setting is incredibly important. If participants enjoy their first experience and feel valued, they are much more likely to continue their journey in the game.
“I've always enjoyed helping people improve, but becoming a father to three daughters has strengthened my passion for creating opportunities for juniors, girls and women in golf.
“Seeing somebody take their first steps into the game and then watching their confidence and skills develop is incredibly rewarding. Golf has given me so much throughout my life, and being able to help others experience that same enjoyment is what attracted me to this area of coaching.”
