Jack Turnbull picked up a golf club for the first time four years ago. Now he’s made a documentary that asks an uncomfortable question: are golf courses actually fair to women? His answer might surprise you.
Jack Turnbull’s final university project wasn’t supposed to be about golf. Four years ago, he’d never even held a club. But somewhere between his first lesson and his degree deadline, the sport got under his skin.
Covering golf throughout his studies, he built contacts in the industry—coaches, course designers, women who’d been playing for decades. Through those conversations, a story kept surfacing: golf courses aren’t designed for women.
The more Turnbull dug, the more compelling it became. What if a sport that prides itself on fairness isn’t actually that fair at all?
Seven Minutes That Challenge Everything
The result is The Unfairway, a documentary that features top coaches like Katie Dawkins, researcher Fiona Wac, and Royal Birkdale’s Sharon Eels. They share data and experiences exposing a fundamental flaw: most women drive the ball 150-180 yards, yet “forward” tees at many courses still require carries of 175 yards or more.
The film also tackles cultural barriers—from women being heckled on the course to the myth that they cause slow play. The reality? Women aren’t slower; they’re just taking more shots because courses are too long for their distances.
Why It Matters
What makes The Unfairway effective is Turnbull’s perspective as a newcomer. He can look at a forward tee marked “Ladies” and ask the obvious question: why is this based on gender rather than distance?
Turnbull describes it as the hardest project he’s ever tackled—teaching himself advanced editing and coordinating multiple interviews. The effort shows. It’s punchy, well-researched, and asks questions that matter to anyone who cares about the future of women’s golf.
