Grass-roots growth

We’re in the midst of an important time for women’s golf. According to a National Golf Foundation study, about 7 million women played golf on a golf course in 2023. That many women haven’t been on-course since before the economic collapse in 2007. Since 2019, the net number of female golfers has gone up 25 percent. This post-pandemic women’s golf boom is exciting. But it begs the question: Will all of these new female golfers keep playing golf in the long term? Of course, we hope that answer is “yes.”
And there’s a trend in state golf associations that could be key in keeping more women engaged with the game.
A role – it has different names by state but is generally director of women’s golf – is being implemented and expanded at golf associations throughout the country. The role’s purpose is to have one person solely focused on women’s tournaments and programs. And importantly, women are being hired into these roles.

Sidney Overman is the manager of women’s competitions and programs for the Chicago District Golf Association. She’s th...