Thinking about entering your first Ladies’ Open? From choosing the right competition to understanding the entry details, here’s how to get started.
Golf Opens are one of the best ways to discover new courses, enjoy a day out with friends and experience a different side of club golf. You don’t have to be a highly competitive player to take part, and many events are designed to be as enjoyable and sociable as they are competitive.
With Ladies’ and Mixed Opens for 2027 already appearing in the Women & Golf calendar, now is a good time to start looking at what’s available.
What exactly is a Golf Open?
An Open is a competition organised by a golf club that welcomes eligible visiting golfers, rather than being restricted to its own members.
Some are individual competitions, but many are played in pairs or teams. Formats such as Betterball, Scramble and Stableford are popular, offering different ways to compete without every shot necessarily counting towards the team’s score.
For many women, the attraction is straightforward: the opportunity to play a course they might not otherwise visit, often at an appealing visitor rate, with a little friendly competition thrown in.
Do you need a handicap to enter?
Most club Opens require an official Handicap Index, although eligibility varies between competitions.
Each event sets its own conditions, including any maximum Handicap Index, age restrictions, team composition and other entry requirements. Some are open to a wide range of abilities, while others have more specific criteria.
Check the entry conditions before booking. If you’re entering with a friend, make sure you both qualify.
Which format should you choose?
If you’re new to Opens, a pairs or team competition can be an enjoyable introduction.
In a Betterball event, each player plays their own ball, with the better score counting for the team on each hole. In a Scramble, team members select a shot and continue from that position, making it a particularly sociable format.
Individual Stableford competitions are another option, especially if you’re comfortable playing your own game and would like to test yourself on a different course.
The best choice is the one that suits your confidence, experience and the people you’d like to play with.
Can you enter an Open on your own?
Absolutely. If you’re entering an individual competition, you don’t necessarily need to know anyone else taking part. It’s always worth checking with the organising club first, but many are happy to pair solo entrants with other golfers. It’s a lovely way to meet new people and enjoy a different course. For pairs and team competitions, however, you’ll normally need to arrange your own playing partners before entering.
What should you check before entering?
Before committing to an event, take a few minutes to read the competition details.
Check the date, format, entry fee and whether the price is per player, pair or team. Look at what is included, whether food is provided, and any restrictions on buggies or practice facilities.
It’s also worth checking the cancellation policy and whether tee times are allocated or selected during booking.
Most importantly, follow the organiser’s official booking instructions rather than assuming that every club operates in the same way.
What happens on the day?
Arrive with enough time to register, find the clubhouse and warm up before your tee time.
The club will normally provide information about the competition format, scoring arrangements and any relevant local rules. If you’re unsure about anything, ask before heading to the first tee.
You may be playing somewhere unfamiliar, but that’s part of the experience. Enjoy the course, meet other golfers and don’t put unnecessary pressure on your score.
Start planning your 2027 Opens
You don’t need to wait until spring to start organising next year’s golf.
The Women & Golf 2027 Opens calendar is being updated with Ladies’ and Mixed competitions at clubs across the UK, making it easier to discover events and plan your golfing diary.
Whether you’re looking for your first Open, a team event with friends or an opportunity to play a course you’ve always wanted to visit, it’s worth browsing now.
Explore the Women & Golf 2027 Opens
More events are being added regularly, so keep checking back as you plan your season. Explore OPENS HERE
