Charlotte looks back at highlights from the Levelling the Fairways series and shares practical ways to make golf more inclusive for good.
Levelling the Fairways has been an absolute JOY to write, and I’m genuinely gutted that it’s coming to an end.
Over the past few months, the series has sought to shine a light on the unique challenges faced by female golfers. My aim has been to tackle tough topics that spark vital conversations across the industry; conversations backed up by data and practical solutions.
But my ultimate hope for the series is that it serves as a call to arms and urges the entire industry to better support women and girls in golf.
Because something needs to change.
Yes, women’s golf has made huge strides in the past few years. And it’s definitely still moving in the right direction.
But how far have we really come?
We recently looked back at a survey commissioned by the LGU in 2005. And let me tell you, it’s uncomfortable to read. 20 years later and the percentage of female golf club members is still pitifully low. The average age of a female golfer is still around 63 years old. And time, fair access to tee times and cost are still significant barriers to participation for women and girls.
So, as I wrap up Levelling the Fairways, I want to explore some actionable steps golfers, golf clubs and the wider industry can take to foster inclusivity, equity, and progress in the game.
Looking back: Key articles from our Levelling the Fairways series
I’m so proud of the wide range of issues our Levelling the Fairways series has covered; from addressing misogyny and gender inequality to rethinking course design, golf club politics, and outdated policies. We’ve highlighted the critical need for modernising the sport, amplifying women’s voices, and creating an environment where all golfers can thrive.
For me, some of the standout articles and topics we’ve explored are:
- Uncovering the major challenges female golfers face thanks to 400 of you completing our survey
- The everyday experience of women in golf clubs, from the unspoken biases they face to the challenges of integrating into established cliques (and whether they really exist)
- The lack of on-course toilets, an often-overlooked but critical barrier to participation
- The importance of course design and rating systems that truly reflect the needs of female golfers, such as Jan Bel Jan’s Scoring Tees™
- Bias in golf pro shops, where outdated assumptions about women’s equipment and apparel persist
- The role of the Women in Golf Charter in slowly but surely helping to transform the golfing landscape
- Trailblazing women like Vicki Harrison, Dolores Brown, Anna Darnell and Becca Hembrough who are driving change in leadership roles and proving that women belong at every level of the sport
- We’ve also celebrated inspirational figures, such as 89-year-old Audrey, who exemplifies the lifelong joy and community that golf can bring
(In case you missed any of our articles or want to read them again, I’ve included a link to each at the bottom of this page!).
Moving forward: How everyone can help level the fairways for females
Levelling the Fairways has always been focused on driving genuine, long-lasting change, but that requires action from all corners of the golfing world.
Here are some ways I think everyone can contribute to making golf a sport that genuinely appeals to and welcomes women and girls:
- Advocate for inclusivity: Whether it’s supporting initiatives like the Women in Golf Charter or speaking up against bias, every voice matters.
- Champion better facilities: Ensure your club prioritises essential amenities, like on-course toilets, to make golf more accessible for everyone.
- Rethink traditions: We can all be a bit guilty of using the traditions of golf as an excuse not to force change. But that is hurting the game. Challenge outdated policies and practices that no longer serve today’s diverse golfing community.
- Support female leaders: Celebrate and encourage women in leadership roles, from general managers to teaching professionals. We must get more women in decision-making roles in golf. Having more women at the table offers fresh perspectives, drives innovation, and champions inclusivity in ways that benefit the entire golfing community.
- Design for all: Push for course designs and rating systems that cater to golfers of all abilities and genders. That doesn’t have to mean an expensive overhaul of the golf course, small but mindful changes can have a huge impact on women’s enjoyment of the game and ultimately participation.
Golf has the power to bring people together, but only if everyone feels welcome. By taking small but meaningful steps, we can ensure that the future of the game is inclusive, equitable, and thriving, not just for women but for all generations to come.
Did you miss any of the articles from our Levelling the Fairways series? Catch up now!
- Survey reveals major challenges facing female golfers
- What is a golf club really like for women?
- Girls (still) don’t play golf
- Vicki Harrison on her year as General Manager at Dundonald Links
- Does misogyny still exist in golf or is it a wider issue?
- Six solutions to driving inclusivity in golf
- Debbie MacMillan on pioneering international golf business at Trump Turnberry
- No on-course toilets a load of s**t
- Should golf courses be designed better for women?
- The female-friendly golf swing by Kiran Kanwar
- Why we need to rate courses beyond the reds
- Ladies vs Women
- Jan Bel Jan and the rise of Scoring Tees™
- Addressing the golf pro shop bias
- The importance of modernising golf club policies and rules
- Why golf needs more weekend warriors
- Nine tips for understanding the World Handicap System
- Tackling the clique conundrum in golf clubs
- Busting the myth of slow play and women
- Dolores Brown on inspiring change through golf
- 89-year-old Audrey an inspiration to us all
- Should women’s events be held at men-only golf clubs?
- The role of the Women in Golf Charter
- What does the future of women's golf look like?