Miles Bennett
Golf is a game played on a large open-air course, where a small hard ball is struck with a club into a series of small holes in the ground. The objective is to complete the course in the fewest possible strokes. In recent years, the sport has seen a surge in female participation, with approximately seven million women and girls playing golf on a course in 2023, the highest number since 2006. Initiatives like LPGA*USGA Girls Golf have also helped empower young women through the game, with one million girls impacted by the program as of 2023. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have also played a role in reshaping golf's image, making it more appealing to a younger, trend-conscious audience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "A game played on a large open-air course, in which a small hard ball is struck with a club into a series of small holes in the ground, the object being to use the fewest possible strokes to complete the course." |
| Popularity | In 2023, approximately seven million women and girls played golf on a course, the highest participation levels since 2006. |
| Current trends | Golf is the seventh most popular girls' sport, behind basketball, track and field, volleyball, softball, cross country and soccer. |
| Future prospects | The female golfer population is growing and is expected to reach record numbers in 2024. |
| Diversity and inclusion | Females account for more than one-third (35%) of "Latent Demand," with more than seven million females categorized as non-golfers expressing interest in trying the sport. |
| Social media influence | TikTok and Instagram have reshaped golf's image, making it more fun, glossy, and accessible to a younger, trend-conscious audience. |
| Empowerment | Girls Golf initiatives aim to introduce girls to the game, empowering them with confidence, friendships, and life skills. |
| Terminology | The use of the term "girls" in golf is considered acceptable when used by women themselves but can be deemed patronizing or demeaning when used by men to refer to grown women. |
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What You'll Learn
Girls Golf's impact on young women
Golf has traditionally been viewed as a "man's game", with the sport often associated with stereotypes of men in polo shirts and khakis. However, this perception is changing, thanks to initiatives like Girls Golf, which is aimed at introducing girls to the game and empowering them with confidence, friendships, and life skills.
Girls Golf, also known as LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, is a program that teaches girls the game in a fun and safe environment. With over 600 sites in more than two dozen countries, the program has impacted the lives of one million girls as of 2023 and has set a goal to reach another million by 2030. This growth in female participation has contributed to the overall expansion of the sport, with women and girls fuelling golf's development.
The impact of Girls Golf on young women is significant. Firstly, it promotes gender equality and empowers young women to challenge traditional gender norms. By participating in a sport that was once dominated by men, young women can develop a sense of agency and confidence in their abilities. Girls Golf provides a supportive and inclusive environment, fostering friendships and a sense of community among its participants. This social aspect of the game is just as important as the physical benefits, including improved hand-eye coordination and overall fitness.
Additionally, Girls Golf helps develop essential life skills such as patience, technique, and strategic thinking. Golf is a complex sport that requires dedication and practice, teaching young women the value of hard work and perseverance. The discipline and focus cultivated through golf can benefit young women in other areas of their lives, such as academics or careers. Furthermore, golf teaches important social skills such as sportsmanship, etiquette, and respect for one's opponents and the game itself.
The growth of Girls Golf and the increased participation of young women in the sport have broader implications for society. It challenges gender stereotypes and promotes diversity and inclusion, both on and off the golf course. This cultural evolution is not only happening within the golf community but is also being amplified through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Young women are reshaping golf's image, making it more fun, accessible, and appealing to a wider audience. This shift in perception is attracting even more young women to the sport, creating a positive cycle of growth and impact.
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The growth of women's golf
Women and girls have been the driving force behind golf's post-pandemic resurgence. In 2023, approximately seven million women and girls played golf on a course, the highest participation levels since 2006. This marks the highest proportion of female golfers on record, with females now accounting for more than a quarter (26%) of on-course golfers in the US, up from 20% in 2011.
The growth in female golfers is particularly significant due to its youthful energy, with more than half of net participation gains among women coming from those under 30. This trend is also reflected in the growing diversity of the sport, with females making up a larger proportion of beginners and juniors. The future looks bright too, with 7 million+ non-golfers expressing a strong interest in taking up the sport.
The growth in women's golf can be traced back to the efforts of organisations like the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. The LPGA has grown from a small group of 13 pioneering women golfers to become one of the most influential organisations in sports, fostering the growth and development of women's golf worldwide. Girls Golf, an LPGA initiative, aims to introduce girls to the game and empower them with confidence, friendships, and life skills.
The golf industry is responding to the surge in female golfers with new equipment and formats. Off-course forms of the game, such as Topgolf and indoor simulator facilities, have contributed to the rise in female participation, offering a more welcoming and less intimidating environment. As a result, females now account for 42% of participants in these off-course formats, and their presence is also increasing on traditional courses.
If this trend continues, 2024 could see a record number of female golfers, surpassing the gains made since 2019, when the net increase in female golfers was 1.4 million, compared to 900,000 for male golfers. This growth in women's golf is not just about numbers but also represents a cultural revolution, with women and girls embracing the sport and driving its future development.
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Women reshaping the sport
Golf is experiencing a period of growth and diversification of its player base, with women and girls at the forefront of this shift. In 2023, approximately seven million women and girls played golf on a course, the highest participation level since 2006. This number represents more than one-quarter of the on-course golfer population in the US, a notable increase from 20% in 2011.
The growth in women's golf is not limited to the US, as the number of women taking up golf in the UK more than tripled in 2020, with almost 1.5 million women playing at least one round that year. This surge in participation is part of a broader trend of golf's evolving accessibility and inclusivity, with the game attracting a wider range of players beyond its traditional demographic.
The increase in female golfers is driven by several factors, including the emergence of innovative formats, inclusive clubs, and female-led initiatives. Venues like Urban Golf, Pitch and Caddi Club offer TrackMan simulators alongside social elements such as bars, music, and games, creating a welcoming environment for beginners and mixed-ability groups. These venues challenge the perceptions of prestige and exclusivity associated with traditional golf, attracting a younger and more diverse audience.
Additionally, the rise of off-course golf entertainment venues, such as Topgolf and indoor simulator facilities, has contributed to the growing appeal of golf among women. These alternative formats provide a less intimidating introduction to the sport, fostering a heightened level of interest, particularly among females who constitute 42% of participants in these off-course forms of the game.
The efforts of influential women, such as Karol Priscilla, are also reshaping the sport. As a Latina influencer, Priscilla leverages her passion for golf and vibrant online presence to make the game more accessible and engaging for a diverse audience, challenging traditional perceptions and expanding golf's reach.
The impact of prominent players like Charley Hull, Nelly Korda, and Linn Grant cannot be understated as they inspire and encourage a new generation of female golfers, reshaping the sport's landscape and solidifying its status as a cool girl activity.
As women and girls continue to fuel golf's growth, the sport is undergoing a cultural transformation, becoming more inclusive, diverse, and accessible, signalling a positive future for women's golf.
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Golf's cultural evolution
Golf has traditionally been considered a "man's game", with women often feeling excluded from the sport. However, there has been a significant shift in recent years, with women and girls fuelling the growth of golf and challenging gender stereotypes. This cultural evolution of golf is being driven by various factors, including the work of organisations like the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) and initiatives such as Girls Golf, which aim to introduce girls to the sport and empower them with confidence and skills.
The LPGA, founded in 1950, has grown from a small group of 13 pioneering women golfers into a prominent organisation that fosters the growth and development of women's golf worldwide. Girls Golf, a joint initiative of the LPGA and the USGA (United States Golf Association), has made a significant impact by providing a fun and safe environment for girls to learn the game. As of 2023, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf has reached 1 million girls across 600 sites in more than two dozen countries, with the goal of empowering young women through golf.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have also played a pivotal role in reshaping golf's image. They have transformed the sport from being perceived as mundane and exclusive to something fun, glossy, and accessible to a wider audience. Social media has showcased a diverse range of women and girls engaging in golf, from glamorous women in LA to cool girls in Japan, making it appealing to trend-conscious youth. This online presence has contributed to the sport's growing popularity among women and girls, with golf moving up to seventh among the most popular girls' sports.
The language used to describe female golfers is also evolving. While some women refer to themselves as "girls" in a empowering way, others view this term as demeaning when used by men to describe grown women. There is a recognition that language has been used historically as a tool of sexism, and that changing the way we use language is essential to making golf a more inclusive space for all genders.
As a result of these cultural shifts, the female golfer population is not only growing but also becoming more diverse. Women and girls now account for a significant proportion of beginners and juniors, and they represent 33% of the 45 million Americans who play any kind of golf. This evolution of golf's culture is not just happening on the green but also online, and it is contributing to a more inclusive and welcoming sport that appeals to a broader and more diverse audience.
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Golf's image transformation
Golf has traditionally been seen as a "man's game", with men dominating the sport and women's participation being much lower. However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women and girls taking up golf, fuelling the sport's growth and transformation. This evolution is not just happening on the green but is also being driven by social media, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram playing a significant role in reshaping golf's image.
The perception of golf as slow, traditional, and exclusive is being challenged by women and girls who are making it their own. The female golfer population is not only growing but also becoming more diverse, with females accounting for more than one-third of "Latent Demand". This means that there are millions of females who are non-golfers but have expressed interest in trying the sport. This interest is partly due to the emergence of more welcoming and less intimidating off-course forms of the game, such as golf entertainment venues like Topgolf and indoor simulator facilities.
Social media has played a pivotal role in this transformation, with glamorous women and cool girls sharing their golf experiences online. The sport, once considered mundane and exclusive, is now portrayed as fun, glossy, and accessible to a younger, trend-conscious audience. Fashion brands have also jumped on the bandwagon, leveraging social media to tap into golf's revival. This online presence has contributed to changing the perception of golf, making it more appealing to a broader audience.
Initiatives such as the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program have also contributed significantly to the growth of girls' golf. With over 600 sites in more than two dozen countries, the program has impacted one million girls as of 2023 and aims to reach another million by 2030. This program provides a fun and safe environment for girls to learn the game and empowers them with confidence, friendships, and life skills.
While the increased participation of women and girls in golf is driving its transformation, there are still some lingering issues with the language used to describe female golfers. The term "girls golf" is commonly used, but some argue that it should be reserved for referring to girls under the age of 18 and not grown women. There is a fine line between using terms of endearment and unintentionally demeaning grown women. However, many women in golf clubs prefer being referred to as "ladies" as it makes them feel important and respected in a male-dominated space.
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Frequently asked questions
Girls Golf is an initiative by the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) aimed at introducing girls to the game of golf and empowering them with confidence, friendships, and life skills. The LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program has impacted over 1 million girls across 600 sites in more than two dozen countries.
Girls Golf is important because it encourages girls and young women to participate in the sport, fostering their growth and development in a fun, safe, and empowering environment. It helps to break down gender barriers and promotes inclusivity in a sport that was once considered dominated by men.
Girls Golf has contributed significantly to the growth of women's golf, with females now accounting for more than 26% of on-course golfers in the US, the highest proportion on record. It has also helped to diversify the sport, with a larger proportion of beginners and juniors being female. The initiative has celebrated milestones, such as the LPGA's 75th anniversary in 2025, marking its growth from 13 pioneering women golfers to a prominent organization fostering women's golf worldwide.
