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The golf industry is committed to ensuring the game is open to all, and diversity and inclusion remains a high priority across the leading organisations in the game.
Many organisations within golf have focused plans, initiatives, and efforts they lead each year to ensure that the game is welcome to people from all backgrounds at every level.
did you know?
50%
of golf fans believe that women’s sports should be highlighted more by the media
Source: GWI, Q1-Q4, 2022
60%
60% of new golf participants are women
14%
Golf fans are 14% more likely than regular sports fans to follow a female athlete or team on social media
Source: GWI, Q1-Q4, 2022
61%
of sports fans are interested in women’s golf. The highest of any sports where men’s and women’s events are staged separately
Source: GWI, Q1-Q4, 2021
Source: National Golf Federation
insights
Participation reached an all-time high in 2022, with 3.3 million newcomers to golf, and those playing on the course for the first time were more diverse than the overall participation base.
Compared to existing golfers, those picking up the game for the first time were 45% more likely to be non-White and 35% more likely to be female.
With a mission of promoting and facilitating the inclusion of minority women and girls in the game of golf, Women of Color Golf (WOCG) seeks to create interest and boost participation with organized clinics, recreational events, business networking, and mentoring opportunities. Girls on the Green Tee (GOTGT) is a golf and mentoring program designed by WOCG for 9- to 17-year-old girls.
The PGA TOUR announced Women of Color Golf & Girls on the Green Tee, a Florida-based non-profit beneficiary of the Valspar Championship, which was named the 2020 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year.
Launched by The R&A, The G4D Open will see up to 80 of the most accomplished golfers with disabilities compete in May 2023 at Woban. EDGA, an organisation which promotes golf for players with disabilities, has been heavily involved in the development of the championship.
Source: EDGA, 2023
61% of golf fans are interested in women's golf
in a market like south korea, which has enjoyed much success in the women's game, female interest has reached 42%
Source: GWI, Q1-Q4, 2022
HEAR IT FROM THE EXPERTS
GOLFTV Broadcaster
“Golf allowed me—a mixed-race child from a household that often struggled to put food on the table—to travel the globe, meet incredible people and, most importantly, to believe in myself. It helped me blossom from a girl ... into a woman who knows that standing out is cooler than fitting in.”
Three-time Major Champion
Three-time Major Champion
henni Koyack
HENNI KOYACK
GOLFTV Broadcaster
“Golf allowed me—a mixed-race child from a household that often struggled to put food on the table—to travel the globe, meet incredible people and, most importantly, to believe in myself. It helped me blossom from a girl ... into a woman who knows that standing out is cooler than fitting in.”
NEW YORK TIMES
Golf In The Media
"Golf promotes freedom on a playing field with few boundaries."
CAI MENAI-DAVIES
Director, The Trust Golf
“Golf is the most inclusive game in the world. There’s no other sport where three generations of your family can play at the same time regardless of age, ability, race, gender and physical or mental capacity.”