Kent Golf recently hosted a women's golf workshop which identified key takeaways for growing women's participation and membership at golf clubs
In a proactive step toward increasing women’s participation in golf, Kent Golf recently held a workshop titled "How to Run a Women’s Academy." The event attracted a large turnout from golf clubs across the county, underscoring the rising focus on women’s golf and the shared determination to foster greater inclusion within the sport.
Held at Cherry Lodge Golf Club, the workshop featured presentations from industry professionals who shared their expertise on building and running successful women’s academies. Brian Bamford, General Manager of Cherry Lodge, opened the session with insights into how his club uses introductory taster events and academy programmes to attract and engage new female golfers. He emphasised how these initiatives have led to an increase in the number of women joining and participating at Cherry Lodge.
Anna Smith, PGA Professional at The London Golf Club and a coach for the Kent Women’s Academy, spoke about coaching strategies that cater to new female golfers. She highlighted the importance of giving women time to develop their skills and find confidence on the course, acknowledging the unique journey many new female players undertake.
Another key speaker, Gerry Verge, Women In Golf Charter Champion at Chislehurst Golf Club, emphasised the importance of integration. Verge discussed strategies for welcoming new women into golf clubs, focusing on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages retention - a crucial element that often does not get the attention that should.
The session also featured Ainée O’Connor, a PGA Professional at Sundridge Park, along with Sarah McDonald, County Secretary for Kent Golf, and Lauren Spray, Women’s Development Manager at England Golf. Together, the speakers addressed questions from the audience, offering practical advice and strategies for creating engaging pathways for women in golf.
Jude Mackenzie, Women in Golf Charter Champion for Kent Golf and chair of the event, commented on the importance of the workshop:
“We all know that it is tough to increase the numbers of women in golf when they have so much pressure on their time, so it was great to see so many clubs here who are serious about encouraging women and want to get the pathway right.”
Key Takeaways and Tips from the Workshop
The experts provided several top tips on best practices for creating an engaging and successful women’s golf academy:
- Develop Gender-Specific Pathways, Events and Marketing: Tailoring pathways, events, and marketing specifically for women is essential to foster engagement and support.
- Allow Time for Golf Development: Moving from a beginner to a 36 handicap takes time - often two to three years. Providing a structured and patient development timeline is key to building confidence and retention.
- Plan for Integrating New Women: Having a clear plan to integrate new female members into the existing Ladies' Section is crucial. Effective integration can make a significant difference in how welcomed and supported new players feel.
The workshop’s core message, “Integration is key,” reflects a commitment to building welcoming environments where women golfers can thrive and remain engaged. Kent Golf’s workshop is part of a broader movement within the county to promote women’s golf, a promising indicator that more golf clubs are taking up the challenge of building inclusive, sustainable women’s golf programmes and sections.
