Women Golfers: Here’s a chance for you to let your voice be heard! This Saturday morning, as editor of GolfGurls.com, I will be a guest on the Arkansas Radio Network show Fairways and Greens with host Bob Steel over KARN FM 102.9 7:30 a.m Central / 8:30 Eastern Time (http://www.karnnewsradio.com)
So I could prepare for the show, I asked Bob for some questions he might want to discuss. I was impressed with the questions and I want to share those with you, so you have a chance to let me know through your comments, what is on your mind when it comes to women and golf. So here goes:
- We see golf in a holding pattern nationally with some courses even closing down… how would you say we are doing in women’s golf? Is it growing? slowing? or just about the same?
- What seems to be the biggest area of interest for women – instruction? clothing? equipment?
- What’s the thing about golf that women seem to enjoy the most?
- What’s the biggest complaint you hear from women about golf?
- What can we do as golfers who love the game to help grow the game?
- What can we do to support women who want to play?
I’ve got my ideas about the answers to these questions, but really want to hear from you so add a comment below. And if you have internet access, listen in on Saturday morning… 7:30 a.m Central / 8:30 Eastern Time (http://www.karnnewsradio.com)
Pat,
Thanks for posting these questions and giving us a chance to make a stance on women’s golf.
1. We see golf in a holding pattern nationally with some courses even closing down… how would you say we are doing in women’s golf? Is it growing? slowing? or just about the same?
– womens golf is definitely in a holding pattern. many of us are waiting to see what the economy/federal reserve/congress will do with QE3 and if the EURO will crash. no one is making plans to take up golf – not men or women. junior play is holding as well with families opting for team sports that are subsidized by tax payers in school districts and county initiatives.
2. What seems to be the biggest area of interest for women – instruction? clothing? equipment?
– instruction would be the biggest interest right now. if you cant afford a $500 set of clubs and a $50 green fee every week, you can at least make a go of it at the range with your sweetie or give your kids a special treat to smack the ball and not care where it ends up.
3. What’s the thing about golf that women seem to enjoy the most?
– the girl stuff. the connection. the competition. the challenge. it takes a special woman to play golf.
4. What’s the biggest complaint you hear from women about golf?
– chauvinistic tendencies of men on and off the course. the ASSumption that any woman you see on the course is a 40+ handicap (no offense to 40+ handicappers). i say bring it! i love hitting up onto a short par 4 from the blue tees and having the men perk up like frightened prairie dogs. usually on the next tee the question is always the same… do you play for a college team? NO, damn it! I play for the love of the game!
5. What can we do as golfers who love the game to help grow the game?
– take a sister out! sunday bloody mary sunday rounds, champagne friday scrambles… whatever. make golf 12 holes instead of 18 – i get bored – it will take 3 hours instead of the usual 4 1/2!
6. What can we do to support women who want to play?
– ask us to play with you. schedule special events. trunk show/clinic/luncheon/networking events. women only events get exposure.
I would hope that most of us would take the time to invite our female colleagues out on the course once in a while. Some of us that are more experienced should act as ambassadors to the game and we owe it to the game of women’s golf to share our experience and knowledge.
Im sorry if i have reiterated anyone’s comments or seem redundant on the topic. Please let us know how it goes!
Overall I’d have to say “ditto” to much of the previous women’s comments with a few additions.
1. As the Captain of a women’s league in Seattle, we’ve grown our membership by 20% over last year. Some of this growth can be attributed to advertising in a local blog. People seem to get more of their news and information from the internet, so we’ve tried to adapt.
2. By far women are interested in the social and health aspects of the game. We also like to look great out there, so clothes are a big part of making that happen. I often see women in teams wearing the same colors/styles to reinforce their camaraderie and confidence. I think most women are intimidated with choosing golf equipment. Most “demo” days I’ve attended have very few women’s clubs to try and staff tend to ignore them. I think women would take more interest in golf equipment if they were treated differently or were able to discuss the equipment features with sales staff who were more welcoming.
3. As stated earlier the social and health aspects are a big draw for women. Personally, I think golf keeps you young!
4. Biggest complaint: The sterotype of women being slow players. I play 80 – 100 rounds yearly and have seen that slow play comes in all skill levels and gender. Marshals need to watch the groups before they make their “pick up the pace” comments.
5. Growing the game probably has a lot to do with adapting to lifestyles of a younger generation. Time is a big factor so maybe a break from the tradition of 9 or 18 holes would help. Maybe pay by the hole?
6. I think one of the best things I’ve seen lately to support women in golf has been the introduction of several sets of forward tees. This gives women, or anyone (seniors, juniors) the choice to play yardage that fits their ability. I think it’s a great initiative that many courses are picking up on.
Thanks for letting us provide some comment for your Radio show. I’m hoping that it will be available on podcast or some type of taped broadcast. I’d like to listen, but I’ll be golfing. 🙂
Just a follow up on women’s organizations…a few years back I looked into forming an EWGA chapter in my area. I worked via email and phone with Karen (who was VERY nice!) to find out the specifics. As is any well run organization, there are policies and procedures that must be followed in order to start a chapter, and you really need to have a commitment from women. You must also pay dues not only to help your local chapter but also to support the benefits received by being part of a larger organization. I was pretty fired up about it – I thought it would be great to network not only on the golf course but in the business and friendship world, too. And if I was excited, surely other women would be, too, right?? 🙂
I think the goal was 20 members in order to make it viable. I sent out some feeler emails to several golf friends and I was hit right away with “commitment issues” – most gals were already part of women’s leagues where they pay dues, and some were in multiple leagues, so the idea of another “dues paying” group was not appealing.
It didn’t take long to figure out that I would need to do some serious recruiting to find my 20 people – and then that’s when I had to admit that I didn’t have the time to commit to meet the requirements to set up a local EWGA…even though I loved the idea!!
I joined a new women’s league this year and I found some of that “networking” that I was looking for, but there’s a part of me that would have still loved to have had the EWGA partnership, too.
So I would say to ladies that aren’t in an area with an EWGA, start your own unofficial group just to get that connection and reason to get together – then maybe after things get off the ground and there is a base, then maybe look at formally joining national level organizations.
1. Women’s golf appears to be holding but it’s not growing, but we know the considerable latent demand out there. Those who are already in the game are committed to it. The challenge is to reach new women golfers.
2. There’s no question that women want to play golf in attire that suits them and fits them. It’s a challenge for manufacturers to make enough variety of attire that suits all age groups and all sizes of women. Next is instruction. Golf industry research has long showed that women are more likely to take lessons than men – much like asking for directions. Finally – equipment. Women want to be educated on what they need and they don’t consider the use of the color pink to constitute women’s equipment.
3. No question – the friendships they form with fellow golfers. This is closely tied with the “me time” they find on the course to keep fun in their lives while doing something to stay fit. But don’t overlook the serious women golfers who love to see their games improve and love to compete. They may not be in the majority but they are golf’s most avid fans!
4. Time and expense to play – which remains a barrier for those not already committed to the game. Lives are busy and stressed and courses would be providing a great service if they validated 3 or 6 hole rounds and priced it so that women knew they were getting value for their time and money.
5. Invite your friends and colleagues to join you on the course, even if they ride (or walk) with you the first time. Women listen to other women’s endorsements. Word of mouth and then inviting them to ease their way into the game is the most effective method of all. Then of course, getting them involved in a group like EWGA that will provide the friends, fun, and activities to get them hooked.
6. All golfers need to remember they were once beginners. When a women wants to play but is made to feel “lesser than” because she’s a beginner, we are doing her and the sport a disservice. Women can also form closed groups and be less than welcoming to newcomers. And golf courses that still don’t see women as valuable customers need to get an attitude adjustment and realize the huge potential these women mean to their bottom lines.
Trish, thanks for your comments… especially about the importance of making newbies feel welcome… one of the primary reasons women play golf is for the friendships and social opportunities… I just created a new page called “Resources” that features just a few of the great organizations that women across the country and beyond, can join, among them the EWGA!
1. To me, the biggest challenge for women’s golf is the commitment of time…I believe there is a lot of great outreach to introduce women to the game, and I think there is lots of interest, but getting them to come weekly, or even a few times a month is a challenge with life’s busy schedules…and I think the economy is forcing people to make choices with their discretionary money and golf might be losing out.
2. I think it’s not easy to box “women” up into one type or interest. I’ve noticed more women wearing “golf apparel” – brand names with golfing clothing lines. I’ve also noticed that women have some nice clubs in their bags now so I do think equipment is playing more of a factor. I think for many women, once they learn the basics, they tend to stop taking lessons. By far, I think what golf does more than anything else is creates or strengthens connections between women.
3. I think the golf course is a place where many women connect with their friends or it’s just a chance to get away. It has been my experience that for many women it’s not even about the golf, it’s about the social aspects.
4. The lack of dedicated playing times on courses, the lack of local competitive leagues or events, and still the stigma that women can’t play or are going to be slow on the course.
5. Create events, mixers, and outings to get players on the course – also having group lessons and then a 9-hole round. Having courses give promos or discounts could help get more women out there, too.
6. Opening up evening times for women to have leagues, inviting neighboring leagues over to your course for a social event, or creating a traveling group that plays at area courses.
Hope your show goes great!
Thanks Cathy for your well thought out answers. I’ve been talking to a lot of women since getting the invite to be on the show and many of them have the same issues, concerns and ideas!
For Little Rock specific information, the central Arkansas chapter of EWGA has 50 members and a very active schedule that addresses all levels of golfers, additional information can be found at ewgaar.com or contacting Evelyn Behrle at eabehrle@yahoo.com
Thanks Evelyn. I’ll be sure to get that info into the conversation for the local listeners. Appreciate it.
1. We see golf in a holding pattern nationally with some courses even closing down… how would you say we are doing in women’s golf? Is it growing? slowing? or just about the same?
I see more and more women on the golf course and practice range than ever before – something is working!
2. What seems to be the biggest area of interest for women – instruction? clothing? equipment?
Depends of the golfer. But I would say instruction, clothing then equipment in ranking order.
3. What’s the thing about golf that women seem to enjoy the most?
Spending time with family and friends on the golf course. Meeting new friends!
4. TWhat’s the biggest complaint you hear from women about golf?
the biggest gripe we often hear is the lack of [access to] fashionable golf clothes. Well, Golf4Her solved that prob!
5. What can we do as golfers who love the game to help grow the game?
Introduce more women to the sport!!
6. What can we do to support women who want to play?
Continue to provide valuable resources that can ease them into the sport w/o the intimidation factor. With groups like the EWGA, LL4G and Women on Course, there is a group for everyone!
That’s my 2-cents for the day 🙂