What’s Driving the Surge in Women’s Golf?
More women are taking up golf than ever, driven by style, community, and a new sense of belonging.
Golf is changing. Across Europe and beyond, more women are picking up clubs and stepping onto the course. Some are experienced players. Many are complete beginners.
They come in sportswear and sneakers, or in secondhand gear borrowed from friends. What brings them together is something simple: they want to try a sport that, for a long time, didn’t feel open to them.
That’s what makes this June, Women’s Golf Month, feel different. The energy around women in golf isn’t just about tournaments or sponsorships. It’s about belonging. And about time.
In Ireland, there are nearly 200,000 registered adult golfers. But only 1 in 5 are women. That number is similar in France and Spain. Some countries are doing better: Germany reports 36% female golfers, and in South Korea, the number is even higher, 45%. These numbers show both progress and a gap.
In the United States, the picture is even more striking. According to the National Golf Foundation, nearly 8 million women and girls played golf on a course in 2024. That’s the most in nearly 20 years.
Women now make up 39% of beginners, and even more in social, casual golf settings like driving ranges and simulators. The sport is growing, and much of that growth is led by women. The reasons for this rise are varied and exciting.
