Women in Golf: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Future

Golf has a reputation problem. For decades, the sport has been stereotyped as the domain of older men in loud trousers, complete with exclusive memberships and unspoken dress codes. But that picture is changing—fast. Women are not only playing more golf than at any point in history, they’re transforming the culture of the sport from the inside out.

From record-breaking participation figures to surging prize money on the LPGA Tour, from grassroots programmes that welcome first-time players to apps like Hole19 that make performance tracking accessible to everyone, the momentum behind women’s golf is undeniable.PGA Tour

This article is for every woman who has ever considered picking up a club, every golfer who wants to understand the shift happening in the sport, and every advocate who believes that the fairways should be open to all. Let’s dig into the data, the stories, and the strategies that are shaping the future of women in golf.

Why Is Women’s Golf Growing So Fast?

Women’s golf is growing because the sport has become more accessible, more inclusive, and more visible than ever before. Post-pandemic interest, grassroots programmes like LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, record prize money, social media exposure, and technology tools such as the Hole19 golf GPS app have all combined to lower barriers and attract a new generation of female golfers to the course.

That’s the short answer. But to really understand the wave, you need to look at the full picture—starting with where women’s golf has been and where it’s headed.

A Brief History of Women on the Fairways

Women have been part of golf far longer than most people realise. Mary, Queen of Scots is often cited as one of the earliest female golfers, reportedly playing at St Andrews in the 1500s. But it wasn’t until the late 19th century that women began to organise competitive play. Lady Margaret Scott won the first British Ladies’ Amateur Championship in 1893, and the sport slowly started to make room—though rarely with open arms.

For much of the 20th century, women’s golf operated in the shadow of the men’s game. The LPGA was founded in 1950 by a group of thirteen pioneering women, including legends like Babe Zaharias and Patty Berg. Despite their remarkable talent, media coverage was minimal, sponsorship deals were scarce, and many private clubs restricted women’s access entirely—some well into the 2000s.

The tide has turned dramatically in recent years. Cultural shifts, increased visibility of female athletes across all sports, and a golf industry that finally recognises the commercial power of the women’s game have all contributed to a new era. Women are no longer asking for a seat at the table—they’re building their own.

The Numbers Don’t Lie — Women’s Golf Participation Is at an All-Time High

If you need proof that women’s golf is booming, just look at the data. The figures from recent years tell a compelling story of growth that shows no signs of slowing down.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the female golfer population in the United States has reached nearly 7.9 million—an all-time high. Women now represent 28 percent of all on-course golfers, matching the highest proportion ever recorded. That’s a significant leap from 2012, when the figure sat at around 20 percent.

Here’s what makes the growth even more striking: women and girls have accounted for roughly 60 percent of the net gain in green-grass golfers since 2019. That means female players aren’t just joining the sport—they’re the primary engine driving overall participation growth.

The junior segment is particularly exciting. Girls now make up 35 percent of junior golfers, compared to just 15 percent in 2000. Among junior female players, 28 percent are golfers of colour, reflecting a sport that is becoming genuinely more diverse with each passing year.

Globally, the pattern holds. In the UK, the number of women taking up golf more than tripled in 2020, and the upward trajectory has continued. Worldwide, women now account for approximately 23 percent of all registered golfers. The sport is reaching a tipping point where female participation is no longer a niche story—it’s the main headline.

What’s driving retention? Programmes designed for beginners, more welcoming club cultures, the rise of off-course experiences like simulators and entertainment venues, and digital tools that make it easier to track your game. The Hole19 app, for instance, lets any golfer—regardless of experience—access GPS yardages, score tracking, and performance stats for free. That kind of accessibility matters when you’re trying to hook a new generation of players.

Barriers Women Still Face in Golf

Despite the encouraging numbers, it would be naïve to pretend that all barriers have disappeared. Women in golf still encounter obstacles that range from structural to cultural, and acknowledging them is the first step toward removing them.

Cost and access. Golf remains an expensive sport. Green fees, equipment, coaching, and club memberships can add up quickly. For women who may be managing household budgets or prioritising family expenses, the financial barrier is real. Public courses and affordable programmes help, but there’s still work to do in making the sport genuinely accessible at every price point.

Time. Research consistently shows that women have less leisure time than men on average, particularly mothers with young children. A four-hour round of golf is a significant time commitment, which is one reason why nine-hole rounds and shorter formats are growing in popularity. Data from the USGA confirms that over half of scores posted by new female golfers are nine-hole rounds—a format the sport needs to continue embracing.

Club culture. Some golf clubs still carry an air of exclusivity that can feel unwelcoming to newcomers, especially women. Outdated tee-time restrictions, gendered facilities, and an old-guard mentality at certain venues can make it harder for women to feel they belong. The good news is that progressive clubs are actively dismantling these barriers, adopting gender-neutral tee systems and creating beginner-friendly environments.

Representation. While female golfers are more visible than ever, the media coverage gap between the men’s and women’s professional game remains substantial. Less airtime means less sponsorship, which means lower prize money—a cycle that affects every level of the sport. The disparity is stark: in 2025, Jeeno Thitikul’s season-leading earnings on the LPGA Tour would have placed her only 20th on the PGA Tour money list.

Stereotypes. The tired notion that golf is a “man’s sport” still lingers in some corners. Women report experiences ranging from subtle condescension to being overlooked in pro shops. Changing these attitudes requires consistent effort from golf organisations, media, and the golfing community at large.

How the LPGA and Grassroots Programmes Are Changing the Game

If the barriers are real, so is the response. Across the professional and amateur landscape, organisations are investing more than ever to grow women’s golf.

Record prize money. The LPGA Tour’s 2026 schedule features 33 events and a total prize fund exceeding $132 million—the largest in the Tour’s history. To put the trajectory in perspective, total LPGA prize money was around $62 million as recently as 2021. That represents a more-than-doubling in just five years. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open each offered $12 million purses in 2025, making them the richest women’s major championships ever.

LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. This programme has now reached more than one million girls since its inception, with over 140,000 participating annually. It’s the pipeline for the future of women’s golf, and it’s expanding globally. Former participants are already competing on the LPGA and Epson tours.

Women’s Golf Day. Held annually in more than 800 locations across over 70 countries, Women’s Golf Day introduces thousands of first-timers to the sport through beginner clinics, driving range sessions, and social events. The emphasis is on inclusion, fun, and removing the intimidation factor.

Community organisations. Groups like Black Girls Golf, the Latina Golfers Association, and the Women in Golf Foundation are doing vital work at the local level, creating safe spaces and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups. Their impact extends beyond the scorecard—they’re building a golf community that actually reflects the world we live in.

The Solheim Cup. The biennial transatlantic team competition between Europe and the USA is one of the most thrilling events in all of golf. The 2026 edition heads to the Netherlands, and it continues to be a powerful vehicle for showcasing the talent, passion, and competitiveness of the women’s professional game to a global audience.

The Players Inspiring the Next Generation

Every movement needs its icons, and women’s golf has no shortage of them. These players aren’t just competing at the highest level—they’re reshaping perceptions of what a golfer looks like.

Nelly Korda has established herself as one of the dominant forces in the sport, combining power, precision, and a competitive fire that draws in fans who might never have watched women’s golf before. Her performances have helped elevate the profile of the entire LPGA Tour.PGA Tour

Jeeno Thitikul was the 2025 LPGA Player of the Year, leading the money list with over $7.5 million in earnings and achieving the lowest scoring average in a single season, surpassing the legendary Annika Sörenstam’s 2002 record. At just 22, she represents the extraordinary depth of young talent in the women’s game.

Charley Hull brings a distinctive charisma and fearless playing style that has made her a fan favourite, particularly in Europe. Her ability to connect with audiences beyond traditional golf demographics is exactly the kind of energy the sport needs.

Annika Sörenstam, though retired from competition, remains one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors. Her 72 LPGA Tour victories and ten major championships set a standard that continues to inspire, and her work with junior development programmes ensures her legacy extends well beyond the course.

Then there are the rising stars—players like Ingrid Lindblad, Lottie Woad, and Rose Zhang—who represent a new wave of talent that is global, diverse, and fiercely competitive. The depth of the women’s game has never been stronger, with the 2025 season producing a record 29 non-repeat winners.

How Technology Is Levelling the Playing Field

One of the most powerful forces behind the growth of women’s golf is technology. Modern tools are making it easier than ever for golfers of all levels to learn, track, and improve their games—no expensive coaching package required.

GPS and rangefinder apps. Products like the Hole19 golf GPS app give every golfer access to accurate yardages on over 45,000 courses worldwide. Whether you’re a beginner figuring out which club to hit or an experienced player fine-tuning your course management, having precise distance information on your phone or smartwatch is a game-changer.

Shot tracking. Knowing how far you actually hit each club—not how far you think you hit it—is fundamental to improvement. Hole19’s Shot Tracker lets you record distances on the course, building a personal database that informs smarter club selection round after round.

Performance stats. The days of guessing where your weaknesses lie are over. With Advanced Performance Stats in the Hole19 app, you can analyse driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putting averages, and more. This kind of data-driven insight used to be reserved for tour professionals. Now it’s available to anyone.

Wearable integration. For golfers who prefer to keep their phone in the bag, Hole19’s Apple Watch and Wear OS functionality puts yardages, scoring, and shot tracking right on your wrist. It’s a phone-free experience that keeps you focused on the game.

Handicap tracking. Understanding your handicap is essential for measuring progress, and Hole19’s built-in Handicap Calculator removes the confusion. The more rounds you play and log, the more accurate your handicap becomes—giving you a clear benchmark for improvement.

Technology doesn’t replace the fundamentals of a good swing or sound course management. But it does democratise access to the kind of information that helps every golfer—especially those who are newer to the sport—make better decisions and enjoy the game more.

Using the Hole19 App to Track Your Progress and Improve

If you’re a woman getting into golf—or looking to take your game to the next level—the Hole19 app is built to be your on-course companion. Here’s how it fits into your golfing journey.

Start with GPS. Before you worry about swing mechanics or course strategy, you need accurate distances. Hole19’s GPS Flyover feature gives you clear yardages to the front, middle, and back of every green, plus distances to hazards. Better information leads to better decisions, and better decisions lead to lower scores.

Track your scores. Whether you’re playing a full 18 or a quick nine, logging your scores builds a history you can learn from. Over time, patterns emerge—maybe you consistently struggle on par 3s, or your back nine scores are always higher than your front. That data is gold for targeted improvement.

Know your distances. Use Shot Tracker to record how far you hit each club. Many beginner and intermediate golfers overestimate their distances, which leads to poor club selection and unnecessary frustration. Knowing your real numbers takes the guesswork out of the equation.

Analyse your stats. Once you’ve played a few rounds, dive into the Advanced Performance Stats to see where your game stands. Are you finding enough fairways? How’s your short game? Which aspects of your round are costing you the most strokes? The answers are all there.

Set goals. Maybe you want to break 100 for the first time. Maybe you’re chasing a single-figure handicap. Whatever your target, having data to measure your progress makes the journey more structured and more rewarding. And with Hole19’s Highlights feature, you can celebrate personal achievements that go beyond your scorecard.

Play from your wrist. If you own an Apple Watch or Wear OS device, you can access GPS distances, track shots, and keep score without ever pulling out your phone. It’s one less thing to think about and one more way to stay present on the course.

The best part? The core features of Hole19 are completely free. You can download the app, head to any course in the world, and start playing with professional-level data in your pocket from day one.

How Golf Clubs and Communities Can Support Women Golfers

Growing women’s golf isn’t just about individual players—it’s about the environments they play in. Golf clubs, municipal courses, and community organisations all have a role to play.

Offer welcoming beginner programmes. First-time golfers need to feel safe making mistakes. Dedicated beginner clinics, group lessons designed specifically for women, and social golf events that emphasise fun over competition create the right environment for new players to fall in love with the sport.

Embrace flexible formats. Not everyone can commit to a four-and-a-half-hour round. Promoting nine-hole play, twilight sessions, and alternative scoring formats (like scrambles and Stableford) makes golf more accessible to people with busy schedules.

Re-examine language and signage. Swapping “ladies’ tees” for colour-coded or distance-based tee systems is a small change with a big psychological impact. It shifts the focus from gender to playing ability, which is how it should be.

Invest in coaching diversity. Women who are considering golf lessons often feel more comfortable learning from a female coach. Supporting and promoting female PGA professionals, and ensuring coaching staff reflect the diversity of the membership, helps close the gap.

Create community. Golf is a social sport, and the friendships built on the course are part of what keeps people coming back. Women’s leagues, mixed-gender social events, and online communities give players a sense of belonging that extends beyond any single round.

Technology can help here too. The Hole19 app includes social features that let golfers connect, share rounds, and discover courses together. Whether you’re looking for a playing partner or want to explore a new course in a different city, the platform helps bridge the gap between wanting to play and actually getting out there.

The Future of Women’s Golf — What Comes Next

The trajectory is clear: women’s golf is only going to get bigger, more visible, and more commercially significant. Here’s what to watch for in the years ahead.

The LA28 Olympics. For the first time, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature a mixed team golf competition alongside the individual events. This is a landmark moment for inclusion in the sport and will put women’s golf on the world’s biggest sporting stage in a format that emphasises equality.

Continued prize money growth. The LPGA’s prize pool has been climbing rapidly, and with corporate investment in women’s sport increasing across the board, there’s every reason to expect the upward trend to continue. More money attracts more talent, more talent attracts more fans, and more fans attract more sponsors. The flywheel is spinning.

Off-course growth. Simulators, entertainment golf venues, and tech-enabled driving ranges are proving to be powerful gateways into the sport for women and younger players. These environments are often more relaxed and social than a traditional golf course, which makes them perfect entry points.

Media and storytelling. As more media platforms invest in women’s sport, the stories of female golfers will reach wider audiences. Documentaries, social media content, podcasts, and long-form journalism all play a role in changing perceptions and building fanbases.

Technology as equaliser. Apps like Hole19 will continue to evolve, providing even more sophisticated tools for performance analysis, course management, and community building. The democratisation of golf data means that every player—regardless of background or budget—can access the insights they need to improve.

The question is no longer whether women belong in golf. That debate is settled. The question now is how quickly the sport can adapt to fully embrace and support its fastest-growing demographic.

Your Next Step — Get on the Course and Start Playing

If this article has inspired you to pick up a club—or pick one up again—here’s the simplest advice we can offer: just start.

You don’t need a perfect swing. You don’t need an expensive set of clubs. You don’t need to understand every rule. You just need to get out there and enjoy hitting a ball in the open air with good company.

Download the Hole19 app before your first round. It’ll give you accurate yardages on whatever course you play, let you track your score, and start building a picture of your game from day one. As you play more, you’ll discover features like Shot Tracker, Club Recommendation, and Advanced Performance Stats that will help you improve faster and enjoy the journey more.

Golf is a game that gives back exactly what you put in. And right now, the sport is more welcoming, more diverse, and more exciting than it has ever been. The barriers are coming down. The fairways are open. It’s your turn to play.