Charlotte explores the current state of golf clubs for female golfers, the issues they face, and the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the sport's growth.

Driving female participation is on almost everyone’s agenda within the golf industry; from The R&A to national governing bodies and golf clubs, there are hundreds of initiatives to help women and girls get into (and stay in) golf at every level of the sport.

Golf has, arguably, never opened its doors as widely to women as it has over the last few years, and increasing female participation has never been so valued.

And whilst there has been an undeniable and unmissable shift in the cultural landscape of the sport, it seems that something is just not clicking.

It’s this simple: Women in golf still face several challenges that our male counterparts don’t.

There are still several barriers that hinder participation and enjoyment of the sport.

How do we know? Because we asked.

A few weeks ago, we shared a post on our social media channels asking our followers:

What is the biggest issue at golf clubs for female golfers?

I was in equal parts shocked and not shocked at the responses. On the one hand, I know there are issues because I’ve lived and breathed them – like only weekday competitions and outdated assumptions of what women golfers want (ladies only lounge? Not for me, thanks). But I was genuinely sad to read about the examples of misogyny and the number of women who just don’t feel equal to male members.

That Facebook post is what inspired us to start writing the Levelling the Fairways series. As a chance to truly understand about what is happening in women’s golf, encourage broader discussions and force positive change based on real, data-driven insights.

(On that point, I’m still collating your responses to my recent survey. THANK YOU to everyone who has completed it so far. If you’d like to share your thoughts, please do so by Monday 5 August. Take the survey >)

Key issues females face at golf clubs

From your responses, some of the key issues that females face at golf clubs include:

Scheduling of competitions

Women's competitions are still frequently scheduled during weekdays. That forces a lot of women to juggle their participation with work and family commitments. Or, worse still, shoves entire demographics of women out of playing competitive golf altogether.

According to England Golf, 91% of golf clubs in England offer weekend competitions for women, a move which is positive and I hope translates to the wider golf industry.

Not enough women

There is a huge disparity in the diversity of golf. According to a report by the National Golf Course Owners Association, the sport is still largely dominated by middle-aged, white males.

As of 2022, only around 20% of all adult golfers on full-length courses in Great Britain and Ireland were women, and today, females make up just 14% of golf club members in England (more on that in the coming weeks!).

Put simply, there are just not enough women at golf clubs. That leads to a huge lack of representation and influence in the sport, negatively impacts diversity and creates a really imbalanced community.

Course ratings and handicaps

Many golf courses are only rated for handicap purposes from the reds or women’s tees. That limits options for playing and also the ability of women to compete on equal terms.

There are (very loud) calls for rating systems that accommodate players based on skill level, not gender. Whilst alternative tee box initiatives are being rolled out, progress is slow.

Misogyny in golf

Misogyny remains a significant issue within golf, though I think it’s important to add that this maybe just mirrors the broader societal challenges.

Either way, there is plenty of research from organisations like Women in Sport that highlights how exclusionary practices deter women from fully participating in sports.

Perceptions of inequality

Many women do not feel equal at golf clubs, facing subtle and overt discrimination. This can manifest in various forms, from access to facilities and prime tee times to unequal treatment in club activities.

Stereotypes of female golfers

There are persistent stereotypes about female golfers being “slow”, “old and retired”, or “not hitting the ball very far”. Challenging these misconceptions is vital to changing perceptions and encouraging a broader range of women to participate in the sport.

The “new generation” of women golfers

I’ve written about this in the past, but there is an emergence of a "new generation" of women golfers, particularly social media influencers, which presents both challenges and opportunities. While they no doubt bring fresh perspectives and a modern angle to the game, there is slightly jarring feeling that they don’t always respect the traditions and contributions of those who came before them.

I firmly believe there is a way to bridge this new gap that we find in the game, and when we do, it will be so good for female participation.

Resistance to change and damaging dynamics

As the winds of change start to blow, there does seem to be a minority of women at clubs who are perceived to be resistant to change.

I didn’t really like writing that as I’m sure there will be some backlash, but it’s written in black and white from our readers. I guess it’s the same old adage that you can’t please everyone, but if everyone isn’t at least on the same page when it comes to driving women’s golf forward, it will potentially hold back the sport’s evolution.

The second point related to this that we’ve heard a lot about from our readers is the formation of cliques at golf clubs. This undoubtedly hinders integration and growth within the broader golfing community, and addressing these dynamics is crucial to fostering an inclusive environment.

Why we need to address these issues

Addressing the challenges faced by female golfers is crucial for the continued growth and evolution of golf because:

  • Diversity and inclusion: Making golf more inclusive and accessible to women will help diversify the sport and foster a more welcoming environment for all players, regardless of gender.
  • Economic benefits: Increasing female participation can lead to significant economic benefits for golf clubs and the wider industry. More female golfers mean higher demand for memberships, equipment, apparel, and events, driving revenue growth.
  • Role models and representation: As more women take up the sport, it creates a pool of role models who can inspire future generations. Increasing the visibility of female golfers at all levels can challenge stereotypes and encourage more women and girls to participate.
  • Sustainability of the sport: For golf to remain relevant and sustainable in the future, it needs to appeal to a broader audience. By embracing gender equality, the sport can ensure its continued popularity and cultural relevance.

What do you think? Take our survey or email me your thoughts at [email protected].