 Tim Moraghan |
Slightly more than 20 percent of the people playing the game are women. June is National Women’s Golf Month, an industry initiative to raise awareness of and engage female audiences in the game. I recently participated as part of a panel discussion at the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) annual conference and came away with some subtle-and not-so-subtle reminders of a few basic expectations of women golfers. Golf courses regularly fall short from a woman’s perspective, and given the vital financial role played by women on the course and off, it’s high time we listened up.
Let me focus on a few key areas shared with me by some prominent women in the industry – a top 100 instructor, the leader of a national women’s golf organization and the golf industry’s preeminent women’s golf researcher.
Design and Construction
All in all, architects – past and present – have not done a great job in keeping women in mind when designing golf courses. However, as the following information becomes better communicated, consider these points.
Bear in mind, more than half of the women who keep handicaps have handicaps of 28 or higher, while the average score is around 105 for 18 holes (as compared to 95 for the average man).
The optimal yardage for the average women’s game is between 4200 and 4500 yards. Keep that in mind as you set the forward tees or plan to build/place new tees.
Provide enough variety in the yardage from at least two sets of tees so greens may be reached in regulation by players of various skill levels. Par 5s are often par 8s.
If you are going to establish natural areas or expand water features, think about where you are placing them. Difficult carries over natural areas should not be more than 90 yards maximum if hitting off a tee. If the carry is more than that, the superintendent should try to carve out a better landing area, move the tee markers and/or place a well-marked area to drop the ball, with a yardage marking in or near it.
If long grasses and ravines are in play, the issue begs even more attention because the lost-ball rule requires re-hitting and often slows play.
Interestingly, the same philosophies hold true for senior and new golfers – female or male.
Course Set-up
At least two sets of well-maintained, properly aligned tees should be provided with USGA-approved handicap slope/ratings to accommodate players of all skill levels.
These tees should be level and mown in the same fashion as the other tees. By doing so, the superintendent delivers the message that the golfers who play from the forward tees are just as important as the golfers who play from other tees.
On days of high-volume play by women, hole locations should be fair and accessible – not set-up for the U.S. Women’s Open.
Do the best with your equipment and budget to mow the rough to the level where players may find their golf balls and play their ball effectively. A hack-fest is not fun.
Keep green speeds in relation to the players’ abilities. It is not necessary to have ultra-fast greens – they will drive people away and they won’t come back.
Amenities
Ball washers, sand/fill divot receptacles and waste containers should be on or near the forward tees, if possible, just as they are for other tees. A cooler of clean, fresh water should be readily available and appropriately placed.
At the risk of sounding obvious, clean restrooms are a top priority for women golfers. At a minimum, restrooms should be well-located (accessible after every four holes or so, including the clubhouse or snack bar), functioning, well-ventilated, have trash receptacles and be stocked with soap, towels and feminine products.
Other Ideas
Play 18 holes – yes, a full 18 – with a woman who has a 28 handicap, which is the median for women, for you to understand the challenges of the general 18-hole course.
If your club or facility has committees, make sure women are represented and have a voice in the process.
The customer service staff – primarily those on the front line who meet and greet guests at your golf course – should have a consistent, equal and fair approach to all golfers, regardless of gender. This caveat holds true for the marshal or ranger, as well.
None of these requests are monumental or hard to achieve. However, nearly all of these points are things any of us would wish for our own games.
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