Charlotte discusses how rating courses beyond just the “women’s tees” for female golfers has the power to influence the future of the game.

When it comes to making the game more inclusive and accessible, golf has made some serious strides over the last few years. And some of that change has been driven by the implementation of the World Handicap System (WHS).

But while WHS aims to level the playing field, course ratings still present a challenge for a lot of female golfers.

Most golf courses are still only rated from the red or forward tees for women, and this narrow approach is starting to show its limitations.

It’s time to go beyond the reds and offer women more flexibility, because, well, we want more from the game.

The implementation of the World Handicap System

The WHS, introduced in 2020, has been a gamechanger in how handicaps are calculated and adjusted across the globe.

One of its major advantages is that it provides a unified system, making golf more accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, age, or skill level.

Before the WHS, different regions and countries had their own handicap systems, creating inconsistency. Now, the WHS allows for a better reflection of ability across different courses, factoring in course rating and slope for more accurate handicaps.

The flexibility of the new system also means, in theory, a player can submit a card for handicap purposes from any tee – as long as they’re rated.

In practice, that usually looks like two sets of tees rated for men – typically “yellows” and “whites” – and only one for women – typically “reds”. 

The issue with courses being only rated off the red tees

Aside from inadvertently reinforcing outdated gender norms, the lack of ratings from multiple tees diminishes the overall experience for many female golfers.

Course ratings based only on playing from the red tees adds unnecessary limitations and

can be problematic for women for a number of reasons:

  • For shorter hitters, the red tees are sometimes too long (read my latest interview with Kari Haug for more on this!).
  • For longer hitters, having the option to move to a tee further back (tees traditionally designated for men) is a welcome challenge. 
  • There is very limited variety for women of any ability.

Improving inclusivity through comprehensive course ratings

An important step towards inclusivity in golf is offering course ratings for all tee boxes, regardless of gender. (The next step would be moving away from tee boxes based on gender and hitting distance instead, but I’ll talk more about that later in this series!).

When courses are rated for women from multiple tees, it allows for more choice, empowering female golfers to select the tee that suits their skill level and playing style. Whether it’s to add more challenge or to provide a more relaxed game, inclusive ratings mean that women golfers have greater control over their experience.

By expanding the tee options and allowing for a wider range of rated distances, golf courses show their commitment to diversity and inclusion. In the long run, this will lead to more women picking up the game, staying engaged, and advancing their skills—ultimately enhancing their enjoyment of golf.

Course ratings and the future of women’s golf

Inclusivity is absolutely key to growth in golf, and course ratings are an integral part of that journey. By moving beyond the red tees, courses can foster an environment that encourages women to challenge themselves, explore different styles of play, and ultimately fall in love with the game because the experience is much better suited to them.

Enjoyed reading this one? You'll love this from our Levelling the Fairways seriesShould golf courses be designed better for women? >