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Golf looks different than it did a decade ago, and that’s a good thing.
Women are showing up to learn the game in greater numbers than ever before. I have gone from being one of the only females on the driving range to seeing groups of women at every course I visit, bringing a new perspective and sense of confidence that's reshaping what it means to belong in the sport. This movement is more than a feeling. The data backs it up, showing that women are becoming an essential part of golf’s next chapter.
The National Golf Foundation recently reported that women account for nearly half of the game's growth over the past decade and make up more than one-third of all golf participants. Yet in 2024, only half played on a traditional course compared to two-thirds of men. The NGF's suggestion to help women transition into traditional golf is to educate them on par-3 and executive courses.
The research highlighted that only one-third of female golfers know about par-3 courses and less than 10% have played one, which lags far behind men’s participation and provides a significant opportunity to help more women get into the game.
There's a misconception that short courses are found at high-end resorts like Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes and Pebble Beach. Not true! Every year, Golfers' Choice highlights America's top short courses, which are defined as any course shorter than 6,000 yards, fewer than 18 holes or less than a par of 70. A few of our recent lists can help you find a short course near you. Many offer tee times on GolfNow, too.
Top short courses from Golfers' Choice
Par-3 and executive courses are good entry points for women, providing an environment to learn that is less expensive, more beginner-friendly and less time-consuming than the traditional 18-hole round. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In all my years of recreational and competitive golf, what brings me back to the game is the sense of the community I have built on the course.
Community
Golf is often considered an individual sport, but there is a unique social element that makes it appealing to players. By spending a few hours on the course together, golfers are disconnected from the outside world and can enjoy focused, quality time with each other.
However, being in a new environment and trying something new for the first time can generate fear and vulnerability, feelings that are only amplified when you feel alone. My friends and I have joked on more than one occasion that we wish there was an all-female golf club where we could go to learn and play - an idea Hally Leadbetter's "Other Foot Country Club" sketch captures hilariously.
Beneath the humor, though, is the desire to enjoy the game in spaces that feel welcoming, without the fear of being scrutinized in a sport long associated with tradition and formality. With the right solutions from courses and groups like the NGF, women can feel at home in golf.
Solutions to welcome women into the game
The National Golf Foundation's argument that education on par-3 and executive courses is commendable. I want to offer other solutions to a similar end goal for women, including connecting with PGA or LPGA Professional instructors, encouraging participation in group clinics or simulator golf and watching professional golf events to foster learning in a social, supportive environment.
Find a teacher who makes you feel comfortable
Confidence on the course starts with knowledge, because the more you understand the game the more empowered you feel to play it. Learning the basics can make starting feel a lot less intimidating and that’s where the guidance of a teaching pro comes in. PGA and LPGA Teaching Professionals are located at most golf courses and must pass educational programs and player ability tests for certification, making them uniquely suited to helping beginners learn the game.
You can find both male and female teaching professionals on the PGA of America website, but if you prefer to learn from a woman then the LPGA Professionals website is another great resource. When it comes to choosing an instructor, there is no correct answer. Many women are more comfortable learning from other women, but I have taken lessons from both men and women and found both incredibly valuable.
While gaining knowledge from a professional can be empowering, it can also be intimidating and costly. GolfPass offers a full library of instructional content led by both men and women, providing a more affordable resource that women can use to learn at their own pace or supplement in-person instruction.
Enter a program to learn with others
Many teaching professionals organize group clinics, leagues and events that are female-specific and beginner-friendly. These opportunities are often shared on golf course websites, promoted through social media or spread by word of mouth from the coaches who lead them.
One program that I cannot recommend enough is Operation 36. Rather than jumping straight into full-length tee boxes, players ease into the game by starting at Level 1, just 25 yards from the hole. Golfers must complete nine holes in 36 strokes or less to move to the next Level, which extends to 50 yards, 100 yards, 150 yards, 200 yards and full tee boxes. This program also includes structured lessons, practice plans and even a mobile app to track your progress. This program can be done in groups or individually, giving players the flexibility to improve on their schedule. I encourage anyone learning the game to find your local program here.
There are more female teaching professionals, women-specific lesson groups and player’s leagues than ever before, making it easier for women to learn, improve, and feel supported at every stage of their golf journey.
No course? No problem!
Golf has evolved beyond the traditional on-course experience due to the rise of simulator golf, driven by companies like Topgolf and Trackman. With music playing overhead, a full menu of food and drinks served by waitstaff, hitting bays featuring colorful targets and screens offering a variety games to play against your friends, this platform has proven to be a key entry point to golf because it focuses on entertainment over performance.
Beyond the fun-factor, simulator golf is beginner-friendly because it offers a low-pressure and accessible learning environment. One of the biggest differences between simulator and traditional golf is that pace of play is never an issue. Without the pressure of a group behind you, you can take your time and swing at your own pace.
Even if you hit a bad shot, you can just laugh it off and try again. There’s no scorecard or handicap to worry about, so you can swing freely without the fear of negative feedback. With shot tracers on every hitting bay it is also easier to analyze the details of your golf swing and improve in a relaxed setting.
Another key advantage of simulator golf is the ability to play year-round. Depending on where you live, local golf courses may be inaccessible due to weather conditions like snow, rain, frost, or extreme heat. Both covered and indoor hitting bays bridge that gap and provide a space where you can practice regardless of the weather.
Watch and learn from the best
Another great way to learn more about the game is by attending women’s professional golf events. Watching elite players up close can help new golfers understand the golf swing and course strategy in ways that are hard to pick up from a lesson or video. It is also inspiring to see fellow women competing and thriving at the highest level of the game.
The LPGA Tour hosts events across the country and creates a welcoming atmosphere for every fan, but this is not the only way to watch elite women's golf. The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour for the LPGA and features top talent, while collegiate golf showcases some of the best amateur players in the world. I have been lucky enough to attend LPGA, Epson and collegiate tournaments and have always left feeling inspired.
A powerful addition to the golf landscape is the Sapphire Golf Tour, a developmental circuit created to reshape accessibility for Black women in the sport. Designed to bridge the gap between college and elite-level competition, this Tour offers women the chance to compete and gain exposure while receiving access to coaching, player development, and even exemptions to professional events. Beyond being a tournament series, the Tour is also a social movement focused on amplifying Black voices and building cultural visibility for women both on and off the course. If you want to witness the future of the game, the Sapphire Tour is an empowering entry point into competitive golf.
Find your female golf community
Engaging women to play golf long-term is about establishing a community wherever they play. The National Golf Foundation’s strategy of promoting short courses in tandem with encouraging instruction from PGA and LPGA Teaching Professionals, supporting group lessons and simulator programs and watching professional events represent a meaningful approach to growing the game among women.
The golf course is a special place that has given me some of my best memories and taught me important values like patience, confidence and resilience. To all women learning the game, I encourage you to keep going and discover what lies beyond the range or short course. There is space for you here, and you just might find that the course feels like home.
Comments (2)
need to make all golf courses more friendly for women that don't hit the ball as far as the lpga pro women
A thoughtful and insightful article about what's important specifically to the women's game--and attracting more women to golf. In my generation--I grew up in the 70s--women have to some extent been ignored or even sometimes, sadly, demeaned, in both subtle and overt ways (although I don't want to overgeneralize) just for playing the game. I'm glad to see this evolving and changing in smart, meaningful ways.
I've played many sports, but I believe golf is the greatest game of all; it seems ludicrous that any exclusionary policies against women should continue. On a lighter note, I remember Bob Toski promoting the idea that all beginning and developing golfers should learn the easiest strokes (e.g., putting and chipping) first, then progress to the more difficult ones. Toski was one of the greatest teachers of all time.