One demographic that is seeing a rise in new golfers is women. For a sport that many people perceive to be heavily male-dominated, women are also finding their way into it even more now. If you’re new to the game or just trying it out, you may find yourself getting interested in golf way more than you ever thought! It is a challenging but rewarding game for anyone!
A study from the National Golf Foundation shows that the percentage increase as of last year is expected to be 2024. The 6 million female golfers who played during the past 5 years is a new record, dating back to around 2007, and the increase since 2019 is approximately 41%.
Over one quarter (28%) of on-course golfers are women, the highest proportion on record! A good percentage of women golfers also represent beginners, so we figured it was a good time to write an article for newer female golfers! In this blog, we will take you through the process of what you need to know to be a first-time golfer.
Gear Essentials and Club Fitting
It’s not always apparent, but golf clubs for men and women differ slightly from one another. If you’re in the market for clubs, women must know a few things before buying a new pair of clubs. When you’re looking for those new clubs to buy, definitely check to make sure you distinguish between men’s and women’s. A proper golf club fitting will also go a long way in helping you test these clubs.
One of our best practices is making sure you feel comfortable with those clubs, whether for your driver, irons, long game (fairway and hybrid), wedges, and your putter.
Shaft length is an important part of the right set of clubs, depending on your height and arm length. For women, we would also make sure to properly check the shaft length, weight, and flex of the grip.
You don’t need to start hitting the course to test out a set! Our Trackman Club Fitting technology can see what works best for you after you take a swing, properly identifying the style of club that works best for you. 50% of all Fitting fees are credited toward a new club purchase within 30 days, so contact us for information when you can!
Lessons vs. Practicing on Your Own
The value of lessons, whether private or group-based, can help build confidence early in your game. There’s also an aspect of learning on your own that can be a big help for you too. With the power of the internet and social media, you can learn things more easily with the touch of a button.
That being said, we recommend even more that you do this in person with true professional golfers and people who can see your swing and stance in the flesh. We have all of that on hand at Woods to Wedges with 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month plans, all of which can be monitored by our three professional golfers.
Book a lesson when you can! We can’t wait to help you!
Watch the Professionals and Play With Other Women
Now that you have your clubs, they are properly fitted, lessons are set up for a good stretch of time, there are only a few other things you can do to help your game. We recommend watching the real professionals play during their weekend tournaments and then, on your own, play with other women (and even men, too!) in just regular 9-hole or 18-hole rounds as well as league or team tournaments. These are other great ways to make your game fun, and at the end of the day, treating your game as a fun thing to do will make your experience so much better.
Golf can feel intimidating at first, especially if you’re stepping onto the course as a first-time female golfer, but remember, everyone starts somewhere. The most important thing is to stay curious about your game to better it, have fun, and not be afraid to make mistakes. With the right gear, professional opinion on training you, and so much more, you’ll be out there hitting par in no time. Remember, we are here to help in any way we can, so contact us!