Levelling the Fairways: Six solutions to driving inclusivity in golf

In our recent survey, 16% of women we spoke to told us they don’t feel equal to men at their golf club, and a further 17% said they felt that men’s attitudes and perception of women is a major challenge to female participation in the sport. Additionally, 10% said governance was an issue because of club management and boards being dominated by men.

I’ve taken a lot of time to read the full responses and had follow-up conversations with some of the women who completed our survey. What it feels like to me is that there’s a real sense of women not feeling seen or heard at golf clubs.

Why don’t women feel equal at golf clubs?

The obvious answer to that question is that there are a lot more men in golf than there are women.

But I don’t think that’s really it.

I think the feeling of not being equal is caused by two key issues. First, unless fostering a fairer environment is an authentic value that runs deep, any efforts to improve diversity, equality, and inclusion are futile. Golf is a sport with centuries of traditions, prejudices and biases (some conscious, but mostly I think unconscious) which all need moulding for the modern game. In any setting, that takes time.

Secondly, true fairness can only be achieved when individuals are given what they need to succeed, rather than simply providing the same opportunities for all. I think women want different things from golf than men do, but I’m not sure we’ve ever really taken much time to understand what those things are.

Julie Walker, women's golf advocate at womenonthetee.com said: "There is a lot of talk about equality, but no one can articulate a vision of what equality in golf clubs means. For me, equality is about men and women understanding each other's golf experience and the benefits we get from that. Then, we need to learn from both to create a club experience that works for men, women and juniors and make space in the weekly tee sheet for each."

For golf clubs to thrive, it is essential that they create an environment of inclusivity, where all players feel welcome, heard and respected.

"An inclusive club governance model can provide the key to unlock and foster inclusivity. It can positively affect all areas of the golf club operations: from practical actions such as broadening access to tee times, offering tailored programmes, accessible facilities, and ensuring women are on committees and boards", commented Susan Young, Non-Executive Director at Scottish Golf.

"Using member surveys to understand the needs of female golfers, and creating a culture of listening and responding, is also a key enabler to driving change and creating a welcoming environment for women and girls."

For me, an important part of driving inclusivity is also to focus on equity, not equality. We need to recognise that not everyone starts in the same place, and that fairness can only be achieved when everyone is given what they need to succeed.

So, what do women need to succeed in golf?

Based on our survey responses, I’ve come up with six practical solutions that I believe could make all the difference in driving fairness in golf and removing some of the hurdles females face in the game.

Facilities for women

Facilities play a critical role in fostering inclusivity. Women’s changing rooms need to be equally maintained and well-equipped (I’ve seen multiple women’s locker rooms being used for storage instead) and we need toilets on the course.

Additionally (and I am fully aware this isn’t an easy one to implement), but providing childcare services like a creche or creating spaces where women can participate with their kids would go a huge way to addressing the time barrier that so many mothers told us they face.  

Equal access to tee times

We know that one of the challenges women face in golf is unequal access to tee times, whether that’s due to men’s competitions taking out prime weekend slots or women’s events only being held during weekdays.

Making the majority of competitions (I don’t think they necessarily all need to be) open to both men and women is one way to address this. But mixed-gender competitions also foster camaraderie and allow players to experience the game together, irrespective of gender.

Golf courses suited for women

I do understand that re-designing a golf course isn’t a quick (or cheap) fix. However, 11% of the people we surveyed said that not enough consideration was given to women when it comes to course set-up, particularly in terms of carry distance off the tee.

Moving tee boxes forward or offering alternative tees could be a solution.   

More women in leadership roles

We need more women on boards, working in golf shops, teaching on driving ranges and in leadership roles in golf clubs. By having a range of voices in decision-making processes, clubs can create policies that are more inclusive and reflective of their wider membership.

Combat stereotypes and bias

Unconscious biases and stereotypes exist in almost every environment, so this isn’t an issue that’s unique to golf. However, overcoming those is a huge step forward in terms of fostering inclusivity at golf clubs.

Education and training for staff and members to recognise and address discrimination is also essential to help create a more welcoming atmosphere. This could involve workshops, seminars, or simply fostering open dialogue about equality in golf.

"We are over 30% busier than last year, with some 2,000 people coming through the golf course a day," Paul Barran told me, owner of Concept of Golf. "Much of that is down to our inclusivity model and educational programmes."

"There is a systemic issue with inclusivity and diversity. I'm not sure whether it's a society thing or just the golf industry, but the bottom line is that there is much more to it than just ticking a box." 

Flexible membership options

Traditional membership models may unintentionally exclude certain groups from fully engaging with the club. Again, from the results of our survey, we know this particularly applies to women due to time constraints related to family or professional commitments.

By offering more flexible membership options, like pay-as-you-go or seasonal memberships, clubs can better accommodate a range of lifestyles and commitments.

The future is inclusive

Golf has the potential to be one of the most inclusive sports, where individuals of all genders and backgrounds can come together to enjoy the game. Clubs play a pivotal role in making this a reality, and I really think it is achievable without huge efforts.

By implementing best practices such as diversifying leadership, offering inclusive facilities, and providing equal access to opportunities, clubs can break down the barriers to participation and foster an environment where every golfer feels at home.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Email me at [email protected] and keep your eyes peeled for my next Levelling the Fairways article!