Women in Golf
Statistics from
England Golf indicated that, female members only account for 15% of golf club memberships in the U.K. Furthermore, the study noted that, ‘55% of golf clubs reported a decrease in Adult Female membership and a decrease of 38% in Junior Girls membership.’ Ladies, it’s time to readdress the balance!
Debunking the myths
For many years, golf has carried the unpopular and somewhat unfair stereotype that the course is home to a bunch of elderly gents wanting some time away from their Mrs. It was seen to be a gentle, leisurely pursuit taken up by those in their retirement; but no more.
Meet the world class women Name: Lydia Ko
Image Credit: Sergei Bachlakov / Shutterstock
Age : 18
Country of Birth: Korea
Country of Citizenship: New Zealand
Rolex Ranking: No.1
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $2,800,802 in earnings. The youngest professional golfer of either sex ever to be ranked No. 1 at 17 years 9 months and 8 days.
Likes: Art and creative pursuits. Lydia also enjoys reading, swimming and playing the piano. Chocolate cake, frozen berries and frozen yoghurt are also big hits!
Statistics sourced from: lydiako.co.nz
Name: Lexi Thompson
Image Credit: BUGNUT23 / Shutterstock.com
Age: 20
Country of Birth : Florida, United States.
Country of Citizenship: United States
Rolex Ranking : No. 4
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $4,527,798 in earnings. Youngest player to ever qualify for the US Women’s Open in 2007 at 12 years of age and won the 2014 Kraft Nabisco.
Likes: Listening to music, relaxing with family and friends, and visiting the beach.
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: Cristie Kerr
Image Credit: Pal2iyawit / Shutterstock
Age: 38
Country of Birth: Miami, Florida, USA
Country of Citizenship: (Arizona) USA
Rolex Ranking: No. 11
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $17,285,587 in earnings. In 2010, became the first American to reach the Rolex Rankings No. 1 position
Likes: Raising money for breast cancer awareness,
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: Inbee Park
Image Credit: Sergei Bachlakov / Shutterstock
Age: 27
Country of Birth: Seoul, South Korea
Country of Citizenship: South Korea / California
Rolex Ranking: 2
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $12,580,995 in earnings. In 2013, was the youngest player to ever win the U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 19 years, 11 months, 17 days; shortly after, donated $50,000 to The LPGA Foundation.
Likes: Skiing and playing the piano
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: So Yeon Ryu
Image Credit: Pal2iyawit / Shutterstock
Age: 25
Country of Birth: South Korea
Country of Citizenship: South Korea
Rolex Ranking: No. 5
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $5,322,736 in earnings. Won the 2011 US Women’s Open.
Likes: Playing the violin
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: Sei Young Kim
Image Credit: CHEN WS / Shutterstock
Age: 22
Country of Birth: Seoul, South Korea
Country of Citizenship: South Korea
Rolex Ranking: No. 7
Golf Career : Achieved in excess of $1,820,056 in earnings. Won the RICOH Women’s British Open in 2013.
Likes : Reading and listening to music
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: Michelle Wie
Image Credit: Chatchai Somwat / Shutterstock.com
Age: 26
Country of Birth: Hawaii, USA
Country of Citizenship: USA
Rolex Ranking: No. 29
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $5,222,725 in earnings. Won the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. Signed a $10 million a year endorsement with Nike Golf at the age of 16.
Likes: Art, dogs, shopping, watching movies and listening to music.
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: Stacy Lewis
Image Credit: BUGNUT23 / Shutterstock.com
Age: 30
Country of Birth: Ohio, USA
Country of Citizenship: USA
Rolex Ranking: No. 3
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $10,464,773 in earnings. She has won two major championships: the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2011 and the Women's British Open in 2013.
Likes: SEC football, fitness and travel.
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Name: Paula Creamer
Image Credit: photogolfer / Shutterstock.com
Age: 29
Country of Birth: USA
Country of Citizenship: USA
Rolex Ranking: No. 63
Golf Career: Achieved in excess of $11,492,473 in earnings. Won the 2010 US Women’s Open.
Likes: Dogs, travel & fashion
Statistics sourced from: lpga.com
Golf Fashion
It is no secret that over the years, there have been countless fashion faux pas within the sport. However, in more recent years, there have been some fashion sensations too. Now with sleeker, less garish designs, golfers can feel and look good in their golfing garments. The technology behind
women's clothing and equipment has also advanced too.
For your everyday…
This polo has been designed for optimum comfort. Featuring short sleeves for greater movement; this garment comes in a range of colours and has Ventil 8 technology, which ensures that you remain dry and cool. UV protection is another facet, with protection up to factor 20. Finally, for optimum skin health, a unique anti-bacterial design has been included also.
Image: Credit to webnuggetz.com
This sleek design has an understated feminine touch with the purple and silver hues. Professional-looking and function, this clean design is a sure favourite with lady golfers.
For the not-so-pink girl…
Image: Credit to 13thgreen.com
Tattoo Golf offer a modern twist on golf designs. For the ladies who are tired of being depicted as loving everything pink, sparkly, kittens and sugar; this is your brand.
Golf Accessories
Image: Credit to media.architecturaldigest.com
Add a splash of colour with this stylish and fun flamingo design.
Quirkier gifts… For the golfer who is the life and soul of the party...
Image: Credit to artglass-pottery.com
This modern cocktail glass offers a fun twist and is sure to be a hit!
Image: Credit to rlv.zcache.com
This multipack of personalised golf balls is another great gift idea. Glitzy stiletto shoes, a game of golf in the sunshine…yes please!
For the girly girls…
Image: Credit to triadgolfcarts.com
Some courses are now providing more feminine and modern caddy designs. Somehow we can’t imagine too many O.A.P gents opt for this distinctive caddy. Comfortable, fun and practical; enough said.
Did you know…
‘Mini golf was invented in 1867 since women couldn’t play “real golf” because Victorian manners meant women couldn’t raise clubs over their shoulders on backswings.’
According to
The British Golf Museum , The first female to play golf was documented in 1567-1568 to have been Mary, Queen of Scots, who “was seen playing golf and pall mall in the fields beside Seton”.’
So ladies, it’s time to even the score. With beautiful golfing greens to discover, fresh air in your lungs and the sunshine on your face; this sport is a great way of socialising and getting some post-Christmas exercise!