Singapore: Action rather than words is required to bring about significant, positive changes in golf and to make the game more diversified and inclusive.

Speaking during the latest episode of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s Sustainability Series, Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland (PGA of GB&I), said the time for change in attitudes is now.

“I think people are saying the right things. People are saying we need to be more diverse and we need to encourage more women, more juniors, more families.

“We’ve got to put it into practice – and I don’t see enough of that. I see brilliant examples of where it is put into practice, I just don’t think there’s enough,” said Maxfield, now in his 15th year with the PGA, the last four of which have been as Chief Executive.

Maxfield is encouraged by the increase in golf participation sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic as individuals and families seek to pursue safe outdoor activities.

He said: “We’ve seen more people have come to golf. I know families have come in. At my own golf club, we’ve seen a swell in our junior section. We’ve seen more girls come in, we’ve seen more women come in.

“We now have this opportunity to embrace these individuals and look after them in a way that they’ve never been looked after before and keep them in our game.

“But we have to change and be different. We have to be welcoming to them. The big worry for me is that we don’t adapt and change the way we need to. We have to be more inclusive as a game.”

Maxfield cited a recent incident involving his son as an example of how golf should alter its perceptions.

“My son would not play golf for one reason – because the golf club made him tuck his shirt in. They’re actually nice shirts, too! How ridiculous is that? They’ve now relaxed it.”

*The full webinar interview with Robert Maxfield can be viewed at the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s You Tube page or by clicking here.