Female coaches and club fitters are reshaping Manchester’s busiest golf hub
At Trafford Golf Centre, one of the UK’s busiest golf facilities, women are taking on roles that were once rarely seen in the sport. From coaching beginners to fitting clubs for seasoned players, their presence is shifting perceptions of who belongs in golf—and who shapes its future.
A New Generation of Coaches
This autumn, the Manchester venue welcomed Erin Parker as a new PGA Assistant. She has begun her training to become a fully qualified coach and joins fellow trainee professional Sophie Mullarkey, who is also working toward her PGA qualifications.
For Erin, the chance to step into a coaching role carries more weight than just teaching technique.
“I’m so excited to be starting my PGA training at Trafford Golf Centre,” she said. “It’s inspiring to be part of such a supportive team and to know I’ll be learning alongside other female coaches. My hope is that more girls and women see coaching as a real pathway into golf and the golf industry.”
Sophie knows first-hand how important that visibility is.
“When I first started playing golf, I didn’t see many women in coaching roles,” she explained. “Now, being part of a team where that’s changing feels really powerful. Coaching here gives me the chance to help golfers of all levels enjoy the game, and I hope that encourages more women and girls to give it a try.”
Beyond the Lesson Tee
The shift isn’t only happening in the teaching bays. At American Golf’s flagship Trafford store, club fitter Amy Sarjantson helps players find equipment that matches their swing and playing style. Whether it’s adjusting lofts, fine-tuning shafts, or fitting drivers, her expertise ensures golfers can get the most from their game.
“It’s great to be part of a team where women are visible in so many roles,” Amy said. “Golf has changed a lot in recent years, and the more we can show different pathways into the industry, the more inclusive it becomes.”
Representation on and off the Course
Women now make up the majority of Trafford Golf Centre’s operations team, while the store itself has doubled sales of women’s products in the past year. Regular “Women & Golf” events—supported by industry ambassadors—have added to the momentum, creating a community for female players of all levels.
Pete Styles, the centre’s Director of Golf, says the progress is clear.
“Golf has long struggled with the perception that it’s a male-dominated sport, but our team tells a different story. From the clubhouse to the coaching bays, our female team members are shaping the customer experience and the future of the game. Representation matters.”
Changing the Face of the Game
With more than half a million visitors a year and over 25,000 lessons delivered annually, Trafford Golf Centre is one of the busiest golf academies in Europe. Among those visitors, more than 80,000 people picked up a club for the first time last year—a sign that barriers to entry are slowly shifting.
The presence of women like Erin, Sophie, and Amy makes that journey more accessible for the next generation. Their work at Trafford Golf Centre shows how local change—through coaching, mentoring, and visibility—can ripple across the wider game.
