Charlotte asks Golf Course Architect Kari Haug: If golf courses were better designed for women, would participation improve?
I’ve harped on in the past about how I feel golf courses are designed by and for men, with little consideration for women – how far the average woman hits it, where she needs to land the ball, which clubs she’s hitting into the green and so on.
Having chatted to Kari Haug recently, a leading female Golf Course Architect and member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), I’ve pivoted on that view a little bit. It’s true that most courses are designed by men, but I now don’t believe they’re designed exclusively for men. I think the real problem is that we haven’t had the data or insight before to truly design courses in a way that enhances the game for everyone.
But whatever way you position it, courses aren’t suited for us all, and according to our recent survey, some of you feel the same way.
11% of women we surveyed told us that course design is one of the main challenges females face in golf.
So, if golf courses were better designed for women (or any under-represented groups in golf for that matter), would participation improve?
“Golf course design is crucial for participation,” Kari tells me.
Kari’s one of the people behind the quiet revolution that’s taking place in the world of golf course architecture, spearheading a change in the way that golf courses are designed to make them accessible for everyone. That includes leading the game’s most comprehensive research on female hitting distance.
And as I chatted to her, her passion for creating fairer, more enjoyable courses for all is absolutely unmistakable:
“The end I have in my sights is that every golf course will be playable by all; men, women, seniors, juniors, people with disabilities, or any group that has ever been side-lined from full participation in this great sport.”
“I realised that women were at a disadvantage”
Kari’s journey into the field began when she attended the Golf Course Architecture Programme at Edinburgh College of Art from 2006 – 2007. And it was there in Scotland that she was inspired to focus on improving course playability for women.
“While we were learning about tee layout and receptiveness of landing areas, I realised that women were at a disadvantage: The location of landing areas didn’t match up with what I anecdotally knew about how far women typically hit the golf ball off the tee. And on par-fours, the second shot is even more difficult because women are often hitting a fairway wood and the green still isn’t reachable.”
It was at university that Kari also learned about Alice Dye and her contributions to golf course design. Alice is known as the "First Lady" of golf architecture in the U.S. and the visionary behind the signature 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass.
“I made it my goal to carry on her work, and that is what I have done ever since.”
Design features that matter for women
Kari’s design philosophy is rooted in making golf courses accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels – not just those who hit the ball the furthest.
“Proper tee design, receptive and well-positioned landing areas and greens that are accessible and defensible depending on the tee location are all critically important for the overall golf experience.
“I also use some key ground-game features to make the course more playable, like punchbowls, speed chutes and funnels.”
That’s why she founded a design approach, PlayablePathwaysTM, that uses data to determine optimal tee positions, landing areas, hazard location and configuration, and green access for players with slower swing speeds. It doesn’t impact the challenge of a course for low-handicap golfers but makes it a lot more manageable for women, seniors and juniors
Navigating cultural conditioning and inherent bias
Working in a male-dominated field and a sport rich in tradition, it goes without saying that cultural conditioning and bias have shaped Kari’s career. And though that may come with challenges, Kari has always only ever seen it as an opportunity for growth, driving her to produce data-backed research to support her design principles.
Her extensive research into women’s hitting distances has been instrumental in shifting the narrative around female golfers. “As the saying goes: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! The challenges I’ve faced have pushed me to gather hard data to prove my points. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with experts like former Curtis Cup player Sue Shapcott and brands like Club Champion club fitters who use Trackman, and what we have achieved is the most comprehensive research there is to date on women’s hitting distances,” Kari says.
This research has been pivotal in reshaping the way forward tees are laid out on courses, and is work that the EIGCA is currently building on in new design guidance with The R&A.
Aimed at golf club managers, owners and developers, these guidance documents advise on the design considerations needed for golf facilities to enable all golfers to play on the same course.
“EIGCA advocates for the inclusion of all golfers, irrespective of their swing speed, through how the course is designed. Ensuring all golfers are able to play on the same course is an essential element in safeguarding the future of golf.”
Better course design will force change for female golfers
I asked Kari what she feels are the most significant barriers female golfers face today, and how can golf course design help to overcome those hurdles.
She told me: “The most significant barrier is the non-inclusive culture of golf and the extreme difficulty in creating any cultural shift.”
“We need to get everyone that designs, owns, and manages golf clubs to understand the concept of setting up the course for the dignity and respect of all golfers, not just the elite few. That way, we can use design of the golf course and golf facilities to guide and shape an inclusive future for the game.”
“I used to lament that tees that were too small, poorly maintained, poorly aligned, or not located properly were neglectful, disrespectful, or thoughtless, and that this type of tee only served to marginalise, discount and often offend women.
“Now I talk about designing for dignity and respect, being thoughtful in how we design, and understanding the profile of the golfer for whom we are designing. That’s why I did the research – so I could credibly communicate what we need. In many cases, the design of a golf course that did not fit the women's game has imparted the false impression that women are bad golfers. Women are not all bad golfers. In many cases, the golf course just does not fit the player's capacity (not ability or capability!).”
The future of golf course design
“I see change on the horizon,” Kari tells me.
“As far as my role, I hope my writing and ideas make a difference. I hope the PlayablePathwaysTM approach to designing golf courses finds its way into every architect's toolbox. And I hope to change the narrative; to make it the norm that we design for the dignity of all golfers, not just the elite few."
“Ultimately, I want everyone to feel as good as the guy standing on the back tee looking out at a compelling, strategic golf hole thinking: I can hit that perfectly designed landing area!”
Initiatives like The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter are spearheading a new vision for the future, and have been really well received across the industry. Now, I think we need to make sure we’re maintaining that momentum; encourage more signatories, set KPIs and make clubs accountable for developing action plans.
Like a lot of things in golf though, in the end, it comes down to a culture shift – to think about and do things differently and inspire and empower others to do the same. And that takes a lot of time.
“I feel like the progress has been so slow, but I remind myself nearly daily that this will be an evolution, not a revolution – even though I wish it were the latter."
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