June is Women’s Golf Month, making it a good time to look at women in golf and consider how they can get the absolute most out of their game. This month encourages women and girls of all ages and skill levels to grab some clubs and get out on the course to enjoy a round or two of this great game. It’s all about spreading awareness of women’s golf and honouring golf’s community of female players – so if you’re a women considering giving golf a try, consider this your sign to get going! It’s the perfect time to sign up for a lesson or try your hand at the driving range, or just go out and hit the greens. You won’t regret it, and you may end up discovering a sport you love for life.
History of women’s golf
Although golf started out as a men’s sport, the history of women in golf goes back a long way. Mary, Queen of Scots, is widely considered to be the first woman to play the game of golf during her reign from 1542 to 1567. It is also believed that she coined the word ‘caddie’, as a shortened form of the French word for student – cadet.
The first recorded golf tournament for women took place in Scotland in 1811, and the first female tournament in the US occurred in 1894. The first women’s golf club was formed in England in 1867, and was then known as the St Andrew’s Ladies’ Golf Club.
The first golf handicapping system was invented by a woman, with Issette Miller designing a system in 1893 to help less experienced women golfers have a competitive chance in competition. The United States Golf Association (USGA) formed a Women’s Tournament Committee in 1917 to champion the rights of women in the sport.
Just 15 years ago, only around 20% of all golfers were female. Nowadays that number is climbing, currently standing at 36%. Women’s golf is a growing sport and that’s a hugely positive thing for all the women and girls out there who might one day take up this great sport.
Here are a few strategies to help women perform at their best and get the most out of their game.
Equipment
There’s plenty of equipment out there to help women play the best golf they can – and it makes sense to use that specially designed equipment. For example, women can use golf balls with a softer core to give a soft feel, more control and less vibration at impact; a higher flight to increase lift off the club face; and gradational compression to create more force and longer drives. Take advantage of all the women’s equipment available, and give yourself every chance to play a strong game.
Get your clubs fitted
If you really want to get the most out of your game, it’s a smart idea to get your golf clubs fitted. It’s really not going to cut it using an old set of clubs you found in the garage, as these won’t allow you to use your strengths and minimise your weaknesses as well as clubs specifically designed for women. Generally speaking, women’s clubs need to be shorter and lighter than men’s and have more flexible shafts and a low shaft bend point. They should have a lighter clubface along with slimmer and lighter grips. Club fitting will help you find clubs that will work best for you and allow you to enjoy the game a whole lot more.
Women’s tees
It’s a common belief that women aren’t capable of hitting their drives as far as the men – and while it’s generally true that women aren’t as strong as men, they are still capable of hitting long drives. But if you’re not one of those women who can hit your drive a long way, or if you’re a beginner, you should be using the women’s tees when you tee off. They are there for a reason – to give you the best chance of a good score – so don’t be worried about using them.
Use proper mechanics
With the right technique and mechanics, women are more than capable of hitting strong, powerful and long shots. The best way to learn the correct technique is through lessons with a golfing pro. They can examine your technique, make corrections and help you maximise your skill levels and get the absolute most out of yourself. Find a coach who can help you play better, and really get to work learning the fundamentals of the golf swing.
Use a golf buggy
Another way to help make the round easier, particularly as you get older, is to use either a walker or a ride-on golf buggy. This helps women save their strength for where they really need it – their shots. Using a golf buggy also helps prevent strains, sprains and injuries, as carting a heavy bag of clubs around the course can be hard on your back, shoulders and legs.
Check out Parmaker’s great range of high-quality walker and ride-on golf buggies and accessories here.
So, get out there and celebrate Women’s Golf month and give golf a go. You might be surprised about how satisfying and compelling this amazing sport really is.