Charlotte dives into what the future of women’s golf could (and should) look like, and what role women have in shaping it.
There are so many brilliant programmes, initiatives and schemes all aimed at getting more women and girls into golf. But try as we might, something just isn’t quite working. Female participation in the sport is still low and the number of men working in the industry drastically outweighs the number of women.
Golf can’t shift its “boy’s club” image, and it means we all miss out.
There’s a huge opportunity to grow the sport by increasing female participation, but women and girls are also missing out on the opportunities golf affords; enjoyment, health and wellbeing, social and life skills, career opportunities … I could go on.
And that’s really why we started writing Levelling the Fairways. To incite meaningful discussions and create genuine and lasting change for women’s golf, asking tough questions and taking accountability for the actions.
So, as the series comes to a close (sob), I spoke to four women who are leading the way in the golf industry to dive into their visions for golf in the future.
Shaping the future of women’s golf
I chatted with Anna Darnell, Molly Pavey, Becca Hembrough and Emma Whitlock to find out what they think the future of women’s golf looks like and what role we have in shaping it.
Each with their own impressive careers and accolades within the industry, I honestly could have chatted with these women for hours. Everyone had such amazing insight and ideas about the issues females face in golf and how we can tackle them, and I really hope I’ve done our discussions justice.
Here goes …
Anna Darnell: “There’s still a belief that golf is for a certain type of person”

Anna Darnell has been immersed in golf since she was five years old, growing up in a family of golfers. While she never pursued a professional playing career, her passion for the sport led her to a career in the golf industry.
Now Resort Director at The Grove and an established leader in the industry, Anna is passionate about increasing female participation in golf and making the sport more accessible.
"Visibility is one of the biggest barriers," she says. "It has improved, but female golfers still don’t get the same level of exposure as men. That lack of visibility impacts everything, from sponsorship opportunities to participation numbers."
Another key challenge, Anna told me, is the perception of golf as an exclusive sport. "There’s still a belief that golf is for a certain type of person, and that limits the number of women and young girls taking up the game," she says. "We need to be doing more to challenge that perception and show that golf is for everyone."
To combat these challenges, Anna advocates for targeted initiatives, including media coverage, sponsorships, and affordable entry programmes. "More coverage of female players will naturally inspire more women and girls to get involved," she says. "We also need better entry points – affordable programmes, partnerships with schools, and short taster sessions to break down barriers."
She also believes that clubs must adapt to modern lifestyles to attract and retain female golfers. "Time is a huge barrier for women. We need more flexible memberships, shorter formats of the game, and family-friendly events that make it easier for women to participate. Even things like childcare services at clubs could make a massive difference."
Looking to the future, Anna is optimistic about the increasing role of women in the golf industry. "I think we’ll see more women in leadership roles and across different areas of the game. Representation is so important – young girls need to see women working in golf to believe they can be part of it too."
At The Grove, Darnell is proud of the steps being taken to create a more inclusive environment. Over 49% of its workforce are women, and 75% of the senior leadership team are female. "We have a high percentage of women in our teams, and there’s a strong sense of community. It’s a great example of how a welcoming culture can make a difference."
Molly Pavey: “Having female role models is crucial for change”

Molly Pavey was awarded Rising Star of The Year at the recent Women in Golf Awards – and it’s clear to see why. Molly has quickly risen through the ranks to become General Manager at Bramshaw Golf Club as well as sister venue Paultons Golf, with both venues signing the Women in Golf Charter under her stewardship.
As the first female General Manager at Bramshaw, Molly emphasises the importance of women in leadership. “Having female role models is crucial for change,” she told me. “Players like Georgia Hall have a brilliant platform to change the perception of golf and make the game appeal to women and girls at a much younger age.”
Molly also believes that accessibility is still a key challenge for women in golf. “There’s still a stigma that golf is exclusive and elitist. We need to change that perception.”
“Ultimately, the future of women’s golf is bright, but only if clubs continue to adapt,” she explained. “We need to find formats of the game that everyone can enjoy – because not everyone has four hours to play 18 holes – and create an environment where everyone feels welcome. That’s how we’ll grow the game.”
Becca Hembrough: “Women need to be visible in decision-making roles”

Becca Hembrough has dedicated her career to championing women’s golf – a commitment that was deservedly recognised at the 2024 Women in Golf Awards where she received the Women’s Leadership Award. From leading England Golf’s women's performance programme to empowering development through her growing business, Steel Coaching, Becca continues to inspire and empower the next generation of female golfers.
At a recreational level, Becca highlighted issues with club memberships that don’t cater to modern lifestyles. “Women want flexible options, but many clubs still operate on rigid, outdated structures that don’t suit them.”
She also stressed the need to increase the number of females working in golf, to act as role models for younger generations and to better reflect the diversity of people we want to attract to the game. “Having more women in golf makes for a smarter industry. Greater representation fosters innovation and a better understanding of what’s needed to strengthen the games future.”
Becca is a graduate from Cohort One of The R&A Women in Golf Leadership Development programme, and is now part of the delivery team for those programmes. “We’re seeing positive steps with initiatives like The R&A leadership programmes, providing networks and opportunities for growth, collaboration and empowerment, but there’s still a long way to go. Women need to be visible in all corners of the industry – on committees, as coaches, and in governance.”
Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic. “Small changes add up. We need to keep pushing for progress, supporting each other, and creating spaces where women feel they belong in golf – at every level.”
Emma Whitlock: “We need to offer more flexible playing opportunities”

What started as a hobby for Emma at the age of 10 quickly turned into a career, and she’s held various positions in golf. Now County Secretary at Sussex County Golf, Emma’s experience across different areas of the industry – as well as holding traditionally “men’s” roles – has shaped her perspective on the game and reinforced her belief in the need for inclusivity.
“We need to move away from working in silos,” Emma explained. “Competitions should be more inclusive, integrating higher handicaps and encouraging more women to take part. Too often, we see clubs sticking to outdated structures that don’t reflect the way people actually want to play.”
One of the biggest challenges, she noted, is the tradition of gender-specific playing days. “I’ve been questioned about why I’m playing on certain days, simply because it’s seen as a ‘men’s day.’ If we want to grow the game, we need to offer more flexible playing opportunities that cater to everyone, not just those who fit within the old model of the game.”
Emma is also a strong advocate for increasing the number of women in leadership roles within golf. “I was the only female secretary in a men’s union, and while that was challenging at times, it highlighted how much the industry needs a broader range of perspectives. When you have diversity in leadership, you make better decisions for the good of the game.”
Looking to the future, Emma believes adaptability is key. “It’s about striking the right balance – evolving to meet the needs of new generations while respecting traditions. Clubs need to think more creatively about how to attract and retain golfers, whether that’s through mixed-gender competitions, better scheduling, or simply making the game more welcoming for all.”
What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts about the future of women's golf. Email me and if you've missed any of our Levelling the Fairways articles, make sure to go back and catch up. Here's one to get you started: Why we need to rate courses beyond the reds >