Properly Positioned:
It’s Time to Rethink Women’s Golf Events
by Meghan Richter and Saige Pacholok, Proper Golf Society
Golf is having a moment. More people than ever are picking up clubs, and the most exciting growth is happening among younger players and women. For golf course managers, this isn’t just an interesting trend—it’s a business opportunity waiting to be tapped.
Historically, golf has catered primarily to experienced male players, but today’s audience is evolving. Women are showing up ready to play, yet many golf courses still aren’t creating experiences that truly speak to them. That’s exactly why we started Proper Golf—to redefine what a women’s golf event looks like and to help courses attract and retain this engaged, motivated, and underserved audience.
What Makes a Women’s Golf Event Work (and What Doesn’t)
Creating a successful women’s golf event is about striking the right balance between fun, quality, and inclusivity.
To help golf courses craft an event that resonates with women, here’s a quick checklist of things that don’t work and are outdated, along with things you should focus on instead:
What Doesn’t Work:
- Overly Gimmicky Themes: Avoid outdated stereotypes like pink overload and excessive frills, which can feel patronizing.
- Lack of Variety in Formats: Relying only on scrambles can make events feel stale—mix it up with different competition levels and challenges.
- Ignoring the Social Aspect: Skipping structured social time and networking opportunities misses a key engagement element.
- Minimal Attention to Hospitality: Basic food and drink options won’t cut it—women value thoughtful, quality experiences.
- Not Encouraging Repeat Play: One-off events lead to missed opportunities—create reasons for women to return through leagues and referral programs.
New Ideas That Drive Engagement and Revenue:
- Golf clinics that go beyond the basics. Forget stiff, rules-heavy clinics—make learning golf feel like a social event. Have your F&B team bring drinks onto the course during practice rounds, mix in fun skills challenges, and encourage a community where women teach and support each other. When golf feels approachable, exciting, and a little celebratory, more women will keep coming back—and bring their friends along.
- Tournaments that balance competitive spirit with fun. Instead of high-stakes, intimidating formats, consider events that blend experienced golfers with newer players in a way that keeps the atmosphere light. Scrambles, best-ball formats, or multi-level competition brackets ensure that everyone has a great time while still feeling challenged.
- Leagues that create a social connection. Women are more likely to return when golf is part of a routine. Hosting women’s leagues—whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—creates a sense of belonging, encourages repeat participation, and builds a loyal community that will keep coming back to your course.
The Details That Matter: Creating an Unforgettable Experience
A great women’s golf event isn’t just about getting people onto the course—it’s about making them want to return. Women golfers are looking for an experience that blends the love of the game with social connection, hospitality, and incentives that make participation worthwhile.
Here’s what sets a great event apart:
- Food & drink should be part of the attraction. Women appreciate high-quality, well-thought-out food and beverage options. Swap out the standard hot dogs and beer for charcuterie boards, craft cocktails, or curated wine tastings. This doesn’t just elevate the experience—it also gives attendees another reason to stick around after the round.
- Make socialization easy and natural. The event shouldn’t end on the 18th hole. A well-planned post-round gathering with music, vendor booths, or interactive activities keeps the energy going and fosters real connections among participants. Think of it as the "19th hole" reimagined for a younger, more social crowd.
- Encourage community building by making it easy to bring a friend. Many women feel more comfortable trying something new when they can do it with a friend. Encouraging buddy sign-ups, referral perks, or group discounts makes the event more inviting and helps build a supportive community of returning players.
- Offer friendly competition and great incentives. Don’t assume every woman who signs up is new to the game—some are competitive and looking for a challenge. Include prize money, fun side bets, or tiered competition levels to ensure both casual and serious players feel engaged.
Partnering with Brands to Enhance the Experience
The right partnerships can make your event more exciting, more profitable, and more memorable. Women’s golf events thrive when they go beyond the standard on-course experience and incorporate elements that feel fresh, engaging, and Instagram-worthy.
Here’s how to do it:
- Think beyond the traditional sponsors. Women’s golf events are a great opportunity to bring in lifestyle brands that align with your audience. Jewelry vendors, fitness and wellness brands, and beauty companies with a golf-friendly twist add unique value to the event.
- Engage sponsors in a creative way. Instead of limiting partners to a tent on the sidelines, find ways to get them involved in the action. Imagine a pop-up champagne cart, a stylish sunglasses brand offering a “shady shot” challenge, or a Wasted Wedge station that doubles as the ultimate photo op.
- Leverage social media to maximize reach. Younger audiences love sharing their experiences, so design your event with Instagram and TikTok in mind. Encourage participants to post their best shots, create a dedicated hashtag, and set up visually appealing moments that are just begging to be shared.
GG POV:
Golf courses that successfully engage women golfers aren't just expanding their customer base—they're securing their future relevance in a rapidly evolving industry.
By reimagining women's events through thoughtful competition formats, elevated hospitality, strategic brand partnerships, and consistent community-building opportunities, forward-thinking clubs can transform occasional players into loyal advocates.
The courses that will thrive in the coming years won't be those with the most prestigious histories or the most challenging layouts, but those that recognize and respond to the changing face of golf with experiences that feel authentic, inclusive, and worth returning to time and again.
The opportunity is clear—it's time to position your course at the forefront of golf's exciting new chapter.
Onward. Let's Grow Golf.
-Rich
About Proper Golf
Proper Golf is built on the belief that golf is more than just a game—it’s a community. As passionate female golfers, we’ve experienced firsthand the power of bringing women together on the course. Our mission is to partner with golf courses, brands, and event organizers to create golf experiences that feel inclusive, exciting, and expertly executed.
If your course is ready to attract more women, build a thriving community, and turn casual players into lifelong customers, we’d love to help.
Let’s work together to create events that make a lasting impact—not just on the course, but beyond it. Send us a note at: info@propergolfbrands.com
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