A new dedicated women’s golf store launching in West Sussex this weekend reflects a broader shift in how clubs are responding to the growing female market — and the persistent complaint that women’s kit has long been an afterthought.
Walk into most golf club pro shops and the picture is familiar: a wall of men’s gear, a modest rail of women’s clothing in limited sizes, and footwear options you could count on one hand. Horsham Golf in West Sussex is trying something different.
The club launches edit on Saturday 23 May — a standalone boutique-style store designed exclusively for women, stocking brands including Ping, Röhnisch, G/FORE, J.Lindeberg, Glenmuir, Adidas, Puma and Under Armour. It opens to all from 10am to 5pm.
The store is available for private bookings for individuals or groups of up to five, as well as walk-in access at selected times. Those who pre-book receive a £10 voucher. A dedicated changing area and in-store advice from a female retail team member are part of the offer.
Closing a gap the industry has been slow to address
The timing is deliberate. Women now make up the fastest-growing segment of new golfers in the UK, yet the retail experience in clubs has been slow to keep pace. Fit consistency remains a particular frustration — women’s golf apparel is frequently noted for erratic sizing across brands, and many clubs simply don’t stock enough range to make trying things on worthwhile.
General Manager Mike Yorke said the initiative was driven by a clear gap in the market: “The retail experience for female golfers has traditionally been limited and impersonal, yet the women’s game is growing rapidly. With edit, we wanted to create a warm, welcoming environment where women can browse leading brands in comfort, whether independently or with friends.”
The store sits in a standalone building near the club’s main facilities — a deliberate separation from the main pro shop — and is open to members and non-members alike.
Whether the boutique model translates to other clubs remains to be seen, but as more women take up the game, the pressure on clubs to meet them with something better than a half-empty rail is only going one way.
To book, contact Sophie Boyes on 01403 271525 or email sophie@horshamgolf.co.uk
