The Record Rise of Women in Golf: Trends, Stats, and The Golf Course GPS System

Traditionally, golf was played almost exclusively by men, but with the introduction of the golf course GPS system, off-course golfing experiences, and other smart golf technology, women are joining the game in much greater numbers. Women are helping redefine what modern golf looks like.

Women are increasingly discovering the game through driving ranges, entertainment venues, and golf simulators, all of which have created fresh pathways into the sport. At the same time, the rising visibility of professional women’s golf, record-breaking LPGA purses, and a rising number of female golfers are inspiring young women interested in the sport.  

For golf facilities and operators, this is both a great opportunity and a responsibility. Tagmarshal makes it easier for facilities to create welcoming experiences, improve the pace of play, and help new golfers feel comfortable on the course, which will be key to keeping up the momentum behind this growth.

We’ll take a closer look at the rise of women in golf, the trends and stats behind the growth, the golf course GPS system, and the economic impact.

According to data from the National Golf Foundation (NGF), women’s participation has reached record levels with over 8 million women and girls now playing on-course golf in the United States. Women and girls make up the majority of golf’s participation growth since 2019, making them one of the main drivers behind the sport’s continued expansion.

Women’s participation in the sport has grown 46% since 2019. Even more impressive is the role that women have played in golf’s overall growth. The NGF reports that women and girls have accounted for roughly 60% of net participation gains since 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a huge surge in golf participation, and women have been responsible for a large share of that momentum.

The growth is largely being driven by younger players. More than half of the increase in women golfers comes from women under the age of 30. This signals a long-term shift in the makeup of the sport. Millennials and Gen Z players are embracing golf as a competitive and social experience.

It’s not just an American phenomenon, either. Participation data from golf organizations around the world all point to similar trends, with women representing one of the strongest growth segments globally. The golf course GPS system is also helping players transition from off-course to on-course golf.

The record growth in women’s golf participation is driven by the way golf is viewed today, changing lifestyles, and new entry points into the game. Golf is now more appealing and more accessible to women. No longer is it seen as an overly traditional and intimidating sport.

As we’ve mentioned, golf no longer has this image of being exclusively for an older, more affluent audience. Previously, there were strict traditions and many barriers to entry, but it’s much more accessible today.

Women are discovering golf as a way to combine recreation, socializing, competition, wellness, and networking. During golf, women can enjoy physical activity, time outdoors, and social interaction in a way that not many other sports can match.

As golf is now seen as more of a lifestyle activity than a competitive sport among many, more and more people are discovering its joy. 

The growth of women’s golf communities, golf influencers, and beginner-focused golf content is playing a big role in encouraging new women players to try out the sport. Women from all over the world are being introduced to the game via social media and the internet. These access channels make golf feel a lot less intimidating.

The rigid ways of golf are no more. Another major factor behind the growth of women’s golf is flexibility. Golfers are no longer limited to just the traditional 18-hole rounds. Now, players can enjoy shorter formats, driving ranges, simulator golf, entertainment venues, and casual social events.

All of these elements together are transforming golf into a more accessible sport. And as it keeps evolving, more and more women are seeing golf as a sport they can play and enjoy.

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Arguably, the biggest development in golf over the past decade or so is the rise of off-course entertainment venues. The traditional game is still, of course, the most popular version of the game, but many new golfers, especially women, are introduced to golf through off-course formats.

These alternative formats are more beginner-friendly and social. Driving ranges, entertainment golf venues, and smart golf simulators have removed many of the barriers that previously made people think twice about trying golf. Today, off-course participation is one of golf’s most effective introductory pathways.

Driving ranges and entertainment venues are the most popular of the off-course formats. Unlike a traditional round of golf, these environments don’t require as much of a time commitment, nor do you need expensive equipment or a deep knowledge of the game.

For many women unfamiliar with the sport, this creates a much more comfortable space to be introduced to the game. There is no need to worry about pace of play, scorekeeping, or navigating the course. Players can instead focus on hitting shots, having fun with friends, and just enjoying the experience as a whole.

The success of entertainment golf spots has shown us that more people are willing to try golf when it’s presented in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Indoor golfing simulators have also played a major role in making golf more accessible. They offer a low-pressure environment where new players can learn the game, practice their swing, and enjoy golf regardless of weather conditions or time constraints.

Simulators remove the intimidating parts of golf for beginners. As such, players can learn at their own pace, experiment with different clubs, and build confidence before switching to the traditional outdoor game.

This is particularly popular among younger players and busy professionals who don’t really have the time to commit to a full round before they even know if they enjoy the sport.

Off-course golf is now serving as a powerful pipeline for the sport. New golfers often begin at a driving range, simulator facility, or entertainment venue. Once they get the hang of things, they tend to move on to on-course play.

This gives facilities a major opportunity, and the challenge lies in converting these occasional players to regular golfers. Technology like Tagmarshal’s golf course GPS system can play a huge role in this, as it makes the transition a lot less intimidating. Features like 2Way cart screens provide yardages, hole layouts, hazard information, and pace of play guidance directly in the cart. With this, new golfers feel more confident and comfortable on the course.

The professional game is reinforcing the momentum at the recreational level. Women’s golf has never enjoyed more visibility, investment or commercial support than it does today.

The LPGA Tour recently surpassed $131 million in total prize money for the 2025 season across 31 events. This figure would have seemed essentially impossible just a decade ago, highlighting how quickly women’s golf is growing.

Major championships continue to increase purses, while sponsors are investing heavily in women’s golf and recognizing a fast-growing audience. As the professional game booms, more women and girls are being inspired to try golf for the first time.

Media coverage of women’s golf has expanded a lot in recent years. We’re now seeing women’s golf on television broadcasts, streaming platforms, a range of social media platforms and sponsorship partnerships. Naturally, this means women’s golf is visible to a larger audience around the world.

More media coverage means more women are introduced to the sport, providing aspiring golfers with role models they can look up to. As such, young girls entering the game today have more visible role models than before. This is one of the major ways to fuel a new generation of golfers.

For golf course operators, one of the easiest ways to make golf more welcoming for beginners is via technology. A golf course GPS system can reduce a lot of the uncertainty that newcomers often feel in the first few rounds.

For experienced golfers, navigating a course can feel like a no-brainer, but newcomers may not really understand where to aim, how far to hit the ball, and what hazards to avoid. This can be incredibly overwhelming.

A golf course GPS system offers:

• Exact yardages
• Hole layouts
• Hazard locations
• Strategic information

Tagmarshal’s 2Way screens are designed to make golfers feel more confident and informed throughout the round. It displays real-time on-course information directly in the cart, so players can easily access the information they need without relying on guesswork.

For golfers going from simulators or driving ranges to the course for the first time, this technology can make the experience much smoother. Everything feels more familiar, helping newcomers focus on having fun rather than feeling nervous or worrying about mistakes.

Technology helps simplify the game for new players. Instead of constantly questioning club selection, distances, or course navigation, golfers can rely on accurate data that they access through the golf course GPS system. This leads to a more fun, more relaxed experience.

Golf can take up a large portion of the day. As such, long rounds and delays can serve as a barrier to newcomers considering trying the sport. This is why pace of play has become such a key factor in player retention.

Faster, smoother rounds mean women golfers can have a more enjoyable time and increase the chances that they may return. With real-time GPS tracking and pace management tools, Tagmarshal helps courses improve flow, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more efficient on-course experience.

Tagmarshal’s Player Profiles feature allows courses to build a stronger understanding of the golfers who play at their facility. By integrating with tee sheets and booking data, courses can easily identify newcomers, infrequent golfers, and returning guests before they even begin playing.

This means staff members can deliver more personalized experiences and pay extra attention to first-time players who need it. For example, new golfers may receive additional guidance, a brief introduction to course protocols, or extra support during check-in.

Increased female participation is driving revenue across multiple areas of the golf economy, including memberships, lessons, equipment sales, golf travel, and on-course spending. As more women enter the game, they are becoming an increasingly important customer segment that courses, brands, and operators can’t afford to overlook.

But participation growth doesn’t guarantee success. While these numbers highlight the growth of women’s golf, female golfers still leave the sport at higher rates than men. Much of this can be attributed to the “recognition gap”, where facilities and brands don’t fully understand or cater to the needs of women golfers.

Tagmarshal helps courses create more personalized, welcoming experiences, offer greater flexibility, improve pace of play, and make the transition from off-course golf easier. For golf operators, courses that meet these needs are best positioned to retain women golfers and capitalize on one of the biggest growth trends in golf.

Women’s golf is in the midst of one of the biggest growth periods in the history of the sport. The opportunity for the industry now lies in attracting new golfers and creating experiences that encourage them to stay engaged and keep playing for years to come.

With advanced golf course GPS system technology, Tagmarshal is helping to create a better, personalized experience for golfers. Discover how we can help your course and get in touch today!

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