I recently picked up golf, a hobby that requires both physical skill and mental focus.

I hate that this new hobby is so difficult, but it also gives me a huge adrenaline rush when I consistently hit the golf ball straight and far. 

Me at Chelsea Piers Golf Club.

I remember my parents being avid golfers when I was growing up. My sister and I spent our Sundays after church watching our parents at the golf range practicing and getting lessons. For some reason, my sister and I never picked up the sport. Instead, we chose swimming (my specialty was the butterfly), Tae Kwon Do (a family friend owned a studio), and music lessons (I majored in Music Education with a concentration in the Clarinet). 

So why did I pick up golf of all things? And why now?

My mom’s golf clubs were collecting dust in her closet. I wanted to try something new, so I decided to go for it. By the first lesson, I was addicted. I realized then why so many people enjoy golf. Golf is often played at a leisurely pace, and it can be enjoyed by people of different ages and skill levels. This makes golf extremely accessible for many individuals who might not otherwise play sports. 

However, at every golf range where I practiced by swing, and at every lesson where I learned to better my form, I was one of the only women swinging away. I began to wonder why that was. 

Gender disparities in golf: why women are not on the course

The MacDonald boys playing golf, attributed to William Mosman. 18th century, National Galleries of Scotland.

Historically, golf has been seen as a male-dominated sport with a long-standing tradition. Golf originated in 15th-century Scotland and made its way to the U.S. in 1650. But cultural norms and stereotypes have played a role in discouraging women from participating in this sport.

Men like Horace Hutchinson who was an English amateur golfer thought women weren’t competitive and didn’t have the strength to play so they couldn’t possibly last all day, and were bound to quarrel. His sharp words were spoken in 1893. Then in 1946, the Royal Liverpool Golf Club secretary said, “No woman ever has entered the clubhouse and, praise God, no woman ever will.” (👎)

In some areas, golf courses have been predominantly male-oriented or have restricted access for women. Limited access to golf courses and opportunities to learn and play the sport are huge barriers for women. Home of the Masters, Augusta National Golf Club opened in December 1932 yet accepted Black members in 1990. They only recently admitted women into their club in 2012 and held the first female tournament in 2019. This lack of access and representation can discourage women from taking up the sport.

Golf has also long been associated with exclusivity partially because it is an expensive hobby. The cost of golf equipment, club memberships, and playing fees are also perceived as barriers to entry for women, especially those with limited financial resources. 

To play golf as a hobby, these are the expected costs: 

Table provided by Golflink

Because women earned 17% less than men on average in 2022, they naturally have less access to an expensive hobby like golf 

Additionally, the perception of golf as a time-consuming activity may conflict with other responsibilities women may have, such as family or work commitments.

Gender-specific socialization and peer influence can also play a role. If more men in a person's social circle play golf, it can create an environment that encourages men to participate while women may not receive the same level of encouragement or exposure to the sport. 72% of men play golf while only 28% of women golf.

The absence of visible female role models in professional golf and limited media coverage of women's golf compared to men's golf can also contribute to lower visibility and awareness, potentially influencing participation levels. Luckily, though, this is changing. I have been fortunate to see Korean women golfers like Se-ri Pak, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007, winning tours and receiving achievements and awards.

Picture by USGA

Personally, I have been lucky enough to inherit my mother’s golf clubs. While the lessons were pricey, those clubs made the sport more accessible to me. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for many of the women I know. In fact, none of the girlfriends that I grew up with even know how to golf.

If we want to see more women out on the golf course, then we need to address these disparities. Initiatives such as women's golf associations, beginner-friendly programs, and inclusive policies at golf clubs aim to encourage more women to take up the sport and create a welcoming environment for all golfers, regardless of gender.

But why do we want more women on the green?

4 ways women in business can benefit from playing golf:

Kacey Felila Tolua, Senior Director, CEC Technology - Channels and Self-Service, Product Services, Marriott International

1. Golf can create networking opportunities for relationship-building. 

Golf is often considered a popular sport for business networking because it can serve as an informal meeting place and is more relaxed than other networking activities. Playing a round of golf takes an average of 4 hours and it is the optimal social environment to establish meaningful relationships, share ideas, and learn from experienced individuals who may hold influential positions within their organization. You can also learn a lot about another person in 4 hours: their personality, the way they react to things, and their sense of integrity.

Dr. Deborah Gray

Dr. Deborah Gray, Professor of Marketing at Central Michigan University published a study in which 71% of Fortune 1000 CEOs reported doing business with someone they met on the golf course, and 80% of Fortune 500 executives say golf has helped their career.

Dr. Gray states, “By not golfing, women not only miss out on the experience but also conversations about the experience.”

By playing golf, women can participate in these networking opportunities and build and establish valuable connections with other professionals, including potential clients, partners, and mentors. 

2. Golf can give you access to decision-makers. 

Golf often provides opportunities to interact with influential decision-makers who may be difficult to reach in a formal business setting. By joining industry-specific golf clubs or participating in corporate golf events, women can gain access to key individuals who hold positions of power within their organizations or industries. Once you establish these connections, these networks can open doors to new job prospects, promotions, and professional development opportunities. 

3. Golf requires strategic decision-making, focus, and resilience, qualities that are transferable to leadership roles. 

By playing golf, women can develop and enhance important leadership skills.
Managing the challenges and pressures of the game can foster qualities such as confidence, problem-solving, composure under pressure, and effective communication—all valuable attributes for career advancement. Participating in golf events and outings can also enhance visibility within your organization, increase exposure to key stakeholders, and potentially lead to career advancement opportunities. 

4. Lastly, golf can promote equality and empowerment for women.

By participating in golf, women can challenge stereotypes, break barriers, and promote gender equality in the sport. Women's involvement in golf can inspire others. For instance, Kathy Whitworth, who has the highest number of LPGA wins (88 to be accurate), has contributed to a more inclusive and diverse golfing community.

Kathy Whitworth in 1967. Whitworth won more U.S. tour golf tournaments than any man or woman. Credit Associated Press

Here at CCWomen, we know the power of building a network. A network can help us grow our careers and give us people to lean on for support. But we also understand that learning how to golf might not be immediately accessible.

That’s why this June at CCW Las Vegas, we’ve partnered up with Five9 to provide a space where our CCWomen community can learn the fundamentals of a proper golf swing from PGA Coach Sean Solodovnick.

Five9 will host golf lessons in their pavilion with a golf simulator in the Expo Hall on Wednesday, 6/21, and Thursday, 6/22. Email me at sandy.ko@cmpteam.com to sign-up for your own personal session.

You don’t want to miss this!