Women are leading a record surge in Australian golf participation, with January hitting the biggest month ever for Golf Australia’s beginner program, Get Into Golf.
A whopping 2,526 people joined the program nationally in January, up 18% on the previous record, with 90% being women. Over the 2024 to 25 year, female participation climbed 11.6%, with 17,726 women taking their first swings across 360 venues nationwide.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said the numbers show how women are reshaping the sport:
“We are seeing more women than ever discovering golf as they are engaging in ways that suit their lifestyles such as social, flexible and fun. Programs like Get Into Golf are turning curiosity into participation with that momentum being felt across the country.”
[Photo: Golf Australia]
New research reveals that more than four million adult Australians now play golf, more than Aussie Rules, rugby league and netball combined. Participation has jumped 1.3 million players (48%) since 2022, with women now making up 42% of all golfers. Of new players over the past two years, 60% are female.
Among the 2.4 million Aussies who say they are keen to pick up golf in the next year, 53% are women, that is roughly 1.3 million potential new female golfers.
Stories From the Course
At Kooyonga Golf Club Get Into Golf participants shared what drew them to the sport.
Hyunji Je said family motivated her to start:
“My son loves playing golf so I wanted to learn too. This program was perfect to start from scratch. I have already invited friends from the Korean community. It is a great way to connect and build a community while learning something new.”
Li-Ting Lin added:
“Learning alongside other beginners especially other women made the experience so much more welcoming. It was my first time playing golf and it was really fun.”
Other participants noted that the program gave them confidence to continue playing and a fun way to stay active.
“I am getting close to retirement and wanted something active to do so golf seemed perfect” said Briony Kennewell. “The more you play the more addictive it becomes” said Eliza Anderson, highlighting the social side of learning in a group.
Research Confirms Social and Wellbeing Wins
Independent research by Dr Brad Stenner (University of South Australia) shows Get Into Golf is not just a beginner program as it is changing lives:
93% kept playing golf after participating
Players getting a handicap or club membership rose 300%
For multicultural participants, that jump was 650%
About 60% made new friendships through the program.
95% satisfied with over two-thirds extremely satisfied
The program boosted wellbeing too: physical health (66%), mental wellbeing (73%), social connection (76%), and life satisfaction (68%).
The Women’s Australian Open Effect
The Women’s Australian Open is bringing the best of the best, including Minjee Lee, Grace Kim and Hannah Green, to inspire the next generation of golfers. Sutherland said major events like this put the sport in the spotlight but it is programs like Get Into Golf that turn inspiration into action.
“Championships show what is possible. But the real magic happens when people grab a club at a local course, connect with others and make golf part of their life” he said.
