New research suggests female golfers spend more on clothing than men, yet many remain frustrated by limited choice, sizing and availability. Is the golf industry missing an opportunity?
Women golfers in the UK spend an average of £72 more a year on golf clothing than men. That’s the finding of new research from Sporting Insights, and it raises an interesting question: if women are spending more, why do so many still feel that the golf clothing market isn’t meeting their needs?
It’s a contradiction, particularly at a time when women’s golf fashion has arguably never been more interesting.
There are more specialist brands, more fashionable designs and more opportunities to express individual style on the course. Golf clothing is no longer confined to traditional polos, tailored trousers and a handful of predictable colours.
Yet walk into some golf shops and the difference between the men’s and women’s sections can still be striking.
Spending more doesn’t necessarily mean getting more
Sporting Insights’ 2026 UK golf apparel research identifies dissatisfaction among women golfers with clothing ranges, sizing and availability.
The researchers also point to possible reasons for the spending difference. Specialist women’s garments, such as golf dresses, can command higher prices, while smaller retail ranges may mean fewer opportunities to pick up discounted clothing.
In other words, spending more doesn’t necessarily mean buying more — or being happier with what’s available.
The £72 figure is an average reported by Sporting Insights, rather than evidence that every woman spends more than every man. Nevertheless, it raises questions about how the industry understands its female customers.
Is choice really the problem?
It’s tempting to suggest that women’s golf clothing is simply an underserved market. But the picture isn’t quite that straightforward.
Over recent years, specialist women’s golf brands have brought fresh ideas to the game. Technical fabrics, contemporary styling, flattering cuts and clothing designed to work beyond the golf course have all helped broaden the choice.
For golfers who enjoy shopping online, the range can be considerable.
But online choice isn’t the same as being able to try something on.
Finding the right size, understanding how different brands fit and judging whether a garment is comfortable through a full golf swing can be difficult without seeing it in person.
And while a retailer might offer an extensive selection of men’s clothing, the women’s range can sometimes feel like an afterthought.
The question is whether women are genuinely short of choice, or whether the choice simply isn’t available where and how they want to shop.
What about fit, sizes and price?
Anyone who has shopped across several golf clothing brands will recognise that sizing can vary considerably.
A size 12 in one brand may fit very differently from a size 12 in another. Trouser lengths, sleeve proportions, waistbands and the cut of jackets can all influence whether something works.
These aren’t exclusively women’s problems, of course, but limited stock makes them harder to solve.
Price is another consideration. If women’s ranges are smaller and popular sizes sell out quickly, are female golfers missing out on the promotions and end-of-season bargains routinely available in men’s clothing?
Or are women choosing to spend more because they place greater value on style, versatility and clothing they can wear away from the course?
Both explanations could be part of the story.
Are golf shops keeping up?
There is also a commercial question.
Golf clubs and retailers have to make decisions about limited floor space, stock investment and what they believe their customers will buy. Men’s clothing has traditionally occupied a larger share of the golf retail market, reflecting the gender balance of participation.
But as more women take up golf, return to the game or become increasingly interested in what they wear, should those decisions be reconsidered?
A limited women’s range can become a self-fulfilling problem. If golfers don’t expect to find what they want in their local shop, they’ll look elsewhere. And if they stop shopping there, retailers may see little reason to expand the range.
That doesn’t mean every pro shop should stock every brand or size. It does suggest that understanding what female customers actually want could be more valuable than relying on historic buying patterns.
We want to hear from you
The women’s golf clothing market has changed enormously, and there is plenty to celebrate.
But has it changed enough?
Perhaps you’re delighted with the choice now available. Perhaps you’ve discovered brands that fit beautifully and offer exactly the styles you want.
Or perhaps you still struggle to find trousers that fit, jackets in your size, attractive waterproofs or a decent selection in your local golf shop.
Do you feel well served by women’s golf clothing brands and retailers?
What’s improved — and what’s still missing?
Wherever you play golf in the world, we’d love to hear your views. Tell us which country you’re in, whether you’re happy with the choice of golf clothing available, and what you’d most like brands and retailers to improve.
We’d love to hear your experiences. Join the conversation on Women & Golf’s social channels or in our app.
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