Women's Golf Participation Surges in Australia, Driven by Flexibility and Community

Melissa Miegel found a new love at 37 years of age.

It happened when she least expected it on a quiet Sunday about five months ago.

At her father's invitation, she tagged along to his weekend activity.

She and golf have not been apart for a weekend since.

She is one of a growing cohort of women who have started spending time on the green.

According to Golf Australia, women's participation is increasing at almost double the rate of men.

It estimates around 60 per cent of people who started playing golf in the past two years were women.

As a mental health worker, Ms Miegel has found the pace and setting of golf to be a safe space.

"I have a very busy brain a lot of the time, so I think it's been a really good opportunity to get outside and actually be more focused on the thing that's directly in front of me," she said.

"For me it's about practising, being more present in what I'm doing and in the moment and slowing down.

"It's a good way to challenge myself as well."

Encouraging more women to join her in her home region of South Australia's Riverland has become a focus for Ms Miegel.

She believes it is a space where women who are already juggling family, work and life commitments can slow down and find time for themselves.

"I've done a lot of questioning about what it actually looks like for golf because I think people have perceptions of 18 holes, going out there [and] spending hours on end," Ms Miegel said.

Women finding their way

While golf has had a long history as a sport for men that takes hours to play, women are finding ways to make it work around life's busyness.

For this reason, driving ranges and simulators have become popular with women, making up 50 per cent of users with an average age of 38.

Women are also playing three times more nine-hole rounds of golf than men.

"You can play a round of golf in two hours, you can play the driving range, and you still get that social connection that you're really craving," said Golf Australia's head of women and girls Tamara Mason.

"You can wear what you want, you can show up with whoever you want, when you want, and you can fit that in."

She said those less traditional formats were also more accessible.

"You don't have that fear of disappointing people if you don't show up at your tee time."

Beyond the format, Ms Mason said there was also a need for change around the culture of many clubs.

"We do have some work to do with our clubs and venues that perhaps only see things a particular way," she said.

"We know that there's a whole other customer base out there looking for something different.

"We know that women being physically active don't want to be judged when they're playing the sport."

Driving the change

Back in the Riverland, ex-PGA professional and coach Jamie Clutterham has been working with Ms Miegel, trying to break stereotypes by running clinics and programs for women and girls.

"In the past 21 months we've activated some programs, and we're seeing the start of, hopefully, a new women's golf world up here in the Riverland," he said.

He said around 90 women have become regular golfers in the region across four local clubs.

A group of community coaches also help him run the sessions to try and make a space in the sport that does not require competition.

"I try and bring new golfers into a coaching space and give them some confidence and competence, and hand them over to some mentors who help with the golf course play, become comfortable with the etiquette and the club environment," Mr Clutterham said.

"If we can activate even just a few people to enjoy that, enjoy some golf and be in a happy space, then I think we're ticking a box there."

Ms Miegel's advice is to give it a go.

"You don't have to be good enough to start playing, but I think you have to start playing to be at least trying to improve yourself and get better," she said.