Over 10 million women in the UK are a size 16 or larger, that’s 40 per cent of the population. It’s a figure that’s growing at a faster rate than any other category in the fashion market and yet it’s one that, until recently, the golf apparel industry has virtually ignored.
The bubbly and vivacious PGA coach Nicola Stroud is among the many plus-size women who have been woefully underserved by the golf industry. The Burnham & Berrow head coach is a true role model for women, aspiring new golfers with her unique approach to coaching.
Stroud has just been awarded the PGA South West Region ‘Coach of the Year Award’, she’s been nominated in two categories (Women and Girls Trailblazer and Participation & Development Coach of the Year) in the England Golf Awards, along with being short-listed for the Women In Golf ‘Women’s Initiative’ award for her work with the forward-thinking Love.Golf coaching brand to introduce newcomers, particularly women from minorities, into the game. As a size 20 Stroud has many troubles finding functional, fashionable golf apparel that fits. “I don’t want to wear boring clothes,” she said. “I want to push the boundaries and wear clothing that looks stylish and fits great.”
Stroud was born and brought up in a little village in Wales, learning to play golf on her local links of Dinas Powys from the age of eight. She had a stellar amateur career, competing for her home nation before turning professional and travelling the world on tour before deciding to return to her roots and focus on her main passion of coaching. In over 40 years in the industry she’s always found plus-size golf fashion choices limited. “I remember having to wear horrible woolly jumpers when I played for Wales that were hot and itchy and just didn’t fit.”
Nicola Stroud, PGA South West Region Coach of the Year
(Image credit: Nicola Stroud)
According to Stroud, the emergence and acceptance of modern fashion trends such as golf leggings has been a Godsend. “I encourage all new players to turn up to their first golf lesson wearing comfortable clothing that they can swing freely in,” she insists. “Leggings or joggers with stretch and lightweight sport tops you can move easily in are ideal.”
While the majority of golf clubs have relaxed their dress codes to allow collarless t-shirts, leggings, and other sporty attire, it wasn’t that long ago that wearing this style of clothing for golf was frowned upon and you could be…
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