It’s midday on Friday and I’ve just played 9 holes. I drove straight to the golf club after the school run, unloaded my gear, warmed up in the practice net, met some friends and we headed out. Ten holes in two hours, a quick coffee with my playing partners in the clubhouse and I’m home by lunch. I still have time to spare for my writing and a few household chores before it’s back to school for pick-up.
I’m part of the modern generation of women golfers who want it all. We want to work, we want to parent and we want to play golf. We juggle all sorts of life demands to find the time to play this great game. And it’s a sport that gives so much back in return. Fresh air, exercise, challenge, friendship, business connections, a reason to travel the world to memorable destinations in spectacular locations – the list goes on.
I made the life-changing decision to turn self-employed before having my son Hogan, knowing that I wanted to have a hands-on role in his upbringing during those precious early years. I ditched the 9-5 and have never looked back. But for others the choice is not so easy. Many career women I meet have spent their lifetime working up the corporate ladder to high ranks. They love their job and when they discover golf (often through business) they find themselves having to reschedule to find the time to learn, practice and play.
(Image credit: Andy Dow)
Historically, golf clubs have not made it easy for these working women. In my twenties, working that 9-5 job, weekends (and light summer evenings) were my only option. Back then, in a male-dominated world, these prime tee times were swallowed up by the opposite sex. At too many clubs this is still true. Saturday competitions are exclusively ‘male only’ and despite being an alternative day player marking a competition card, you have no priority over tee time bookings.
If golf wants to truly attract the new generation of millennials they have to think outside of the traditional box. For starters, I believe we need more shorter competition formats. It’s far easier to find a one or two-hour window in the day than four hours plus to play 18-holes. How about a Friday night ‘9 and wine’ after work? Or a ‘summer 6’ where you tee off from 6pm for 6 holes then supper? Or a midday scramble once a week for those able to take an extended lunch hour. How about offering a competition every day of the week that anyone in the club can enter, regardless of age or gender. Now wouldn’t…
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