The Future is Bright for Women in Golf
by Bradley Turner Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction – MBA, PGA
The National Golf Foundation (NGF) is the recognized leader in tracking trends in the golf industry. In 2020, golf participation spiked significantly primarily due to the pandemic, with golf providing a “safe” environment where social distancing was easier to implement. Golf participation increased by 534,000 golfers over 2019, with women accounting for 451,000 of those golfers. That is a massive increase in women returning to the game, signaling positive expectations for the future. In addition, women accounted for 36% of all beginners in 2020, a 50% increase over the current participation rate of 24.4% for women golfers in the United States.
Girls account for over a third of all junior golfers, according to the NGF. In 2020, we had one million girls actively playing the game. In previous research studies, the NGF found that an avid junior golfer who plays 25 or more times a year will most likely play golf their entire life. The golf industry has done an excellent job promoting junior golf for both boys and girls. If avid junior girls continue to play as adults, we will see a steady increase in women’s participation. The long-term goal in golf should be to increase women’s participation in golf to at least 33% of all golfers. When that happens, the golf industry will be healthy and profitable for the foreseeable future.
Today, business savvy golf operators have embraced a new culture of diversity and inclusion. With a growing presence of women on the golf course, the industry needs individuals to support this increase in demand and create initiatives and retention strategies to keep women in the game. With more women golfers comes a corresponding need for more women professionals working in the golf industry.
NGF – Golfer Participation (2020)
| Men | Women | Women % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 18,759,000 | 6,045,000 | 24.4% |
| 2019 | 18,676,000 | 5,594,000 | 23.0% |
| Growth | 83,000 | 451,000 |
NGF – Beginner Golfers (2020)
| Men | Women | Women % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,952,000 | 1,095,000 | 35.9% |
| 2019 | 1,702,000 | 773,000 | 31.2% |
| Growth | 250,000 | 322,000 |
Women Workforce
With women accounting for one out of every four golfers in America, the participation rate tells the story of opportunity for the golf industry. Compared to tennis participation, women pick up the racket at 46.0% of all tennis players versus only 24.4% playing golf. The demographics of the golf industry workforce identify only about 10% are women. Women golf instructors account for 19% of all instructors, while women tennis instructors account for 37% of tennis instructors. Finding women that are passionate about the industry has proven to be a challenge for employers.
Employers are seeking women to fill the enormous opportunities in the golf industry. According to Donna White, the Director of Instruction for the Keiser University Golf Coaching Center, there has been a steady increase in opportunities for women in golf. She stated,
“Over the past few years, the hidden market potential of women has been realized. We are also riding the waves of industry initiatives to make golf more welcoming and inclusive, increasing demand and a surge in job opportunities. Women now represent in positions such as top instructors, coaches, sales representatives, retail experts, agronomy, golf course design, event management, player management, golf facility management, association leadership, sports writing, tournament directors, technology services, hospitality management, real estate, and finance…on and on.”
The College of Golf at Keiser University has been educating future leaders in golf since 2010. The award-winning faculty and industry-specific curriculum provide a foundation for graduates to develop the skills needed to excel in the workforce. A formal education in golf will provide lifelong benefits for those with a passion for the sport.
The Need for Educated Professionals
The former Women’s US Amateur Champion and LPGA Hall of Famer, Donna White, has been with Keiser University for over a decade and has been an educator for the majority of her professional career. She has played a big role in the continual development of the College of Golf curriculum and explains some of the program benefits for women:
“The College of Golf curriculum offers courses relative to teaching and understanding of the game of golf, but also the business of golf. Yes, the partnership between the college and the LPGA enables a female that graduates from our associate or bachelor degree program to be eligible for Class B or Class A professional status. I get calls weekly not only from my professional peers but also from other golf-related employers seeking females for positions in their organizations. As I tell my College of Golf students, ‘you never know where your golf ball and knowledge will take you; the opportunities extend well beyond the golf course! This is particularly true for women.”
For many years women were discouraged from playing this great game. The old traditional golf culture is changing, and we now need women working in the industry to keep the game growing and moving forward. As the father of two athletic young adult women, it is humorous to see their Instagram posts when they are at a TopGolf with their male friends. I do not know why the males are always surprised when the females show them how it is done. Give a female a chance in golf, and she can certainly learn to play and make a successful career in the game. It is funny how those ostracized from playing the sport many years ago are now the key lynchpin for the future of the sport.
If you’d like to study with Bradley Turner and other PGA Master Professionals, contact the College of Golf today.
