Golf For WomenGolf for women has been a growing part of the sport until fairly recently. Golf needs more women. Though the growth in numbers of participants has slowed somewhat, golf for women is impacting the sport in many interesting ways. Women's voices are having far-reaching effects as women have become more organized. With that organization, their influence is now having more impact on the direction of the development of golf. They have become a powerful force for good growth. Golf for women is expanding in terms of their increased participation in competitive tournaments; in charity and business events organized by and for women; in terms of the number of manufacturers developing golf clubs and accessories for women; and in the instructional services targeted for women. Even golf courses are addressing women's needs to attract more female players. Women's Golf Organizations A great example of constructive influence that women are having on the game is happening through the Executive Women's Golf Association. Women's Golf Equipment Women are finally seeing a wider choice of golf clubs designed with their needs in mind. Most women do not take a divot when they strike the ball. They have a lower, more rounded swing with a sweeping action at impact. Men strike downward at the ball, with a steeper action that forces the club into the turf and propels the ball into the air. To achieve more height and better distance, women need more lofted clubs -- up to 4-5 degrees more loft in a five iron that a man does, for example -- in order to achieve a similar result. To make sure the sweeping action does not dig the club into the ground, the sole of the women's five iron head is made narrower with more bounce (trailing edge lower than the leading edge) to take away the 'fat shot'. The club head itself has to have a lower center of gravity(CG) because the sweeping action means that the club head CG must be below the CG of the ball in order to lift it into the air. The women's five iron head needs to be lower and longer than for men to have the same forgiveness against mishits. The shaft of a women's club must be more flexible (L flex) to help get the ball airborne and grips need to be smaller to accommodate a woman's smaller hands. Graphite is the best shaft material, since it is lighter and more flexible for women's swings. Moving to the larger drivers (440 - 460cc) is just as important for women as it has been for men. The larger driver heads with more loft and greater 'spring-like effect' (i.e., COR) mean more distance. The head size also means greater control as the physics dictates more forgiveness on off-center hits through the increased "moment of inertia" (MOI) which USGA/RCGA rules allow. Women's Golf Instruction More and more, we are seeing the golf industry cater to the growing need for services tailored to women. Instructors are personalizing their courses with specific learning styles of women and swing characteristics in mind. Sandra Post Golf SchoolHeadquartered at Glen Eagle GC in Toronto, Sandra Post's school provides a complete range of instructional services to all levels of golfers. Her school is affiliated with the Executive Women's Golf Association and provides fitting and analysis services for women's equipment. Ms. Post has worked with Jazz Golf to design a complete line of women's golf clubs which bear her signature. Lessons are offered to singles, groups year-round. Danielle Nadon Golf SchoolOne of the best-known teachers in the Ottawa area, Danielle Nadon operates golf schools in four locations. Indoor locations enable her to offer year-round instruction and she offers clinics throughout the Ottawa Valley at courses booked for summer and in-season camps. In eastern Ontario, nobody has operated longer nor has a longer list of contacts or a wider range of experience in all facets of the golf industry than Danielle Nadon. Randle GolfLori and John Randle are two of the best golf instructors in British Columbia. Based at the beautiful Olympic View Golf Course just outside Victoria, their school offers instruction to golfers of all types but they also have schools that are for women-only. The practice area at Olympic View is the best full-turf range on Vancouver Island and the Randle School makes full use of its quality short game and long game practice areas. Almost a third of the range is reserved for the school, making the quality of the facility second to none. An extremely wide range of instructional programs are offered. Courses are offered in two time periods, October - March and April - September training periods -- this is Victoria, B.C., remember. The season starts in February in most years; they count blossoms then. If a program does not offer what you are looking for or the schedule id difficult to meet, Lori and John are completely flexible and will try to customize a program to your needs. Women's Golf Leagues Canadian Womens Golf Inc.(CWGI)
The CWGI is Ottawa-based and plays courses throughout the region. It offers a fun, recreational atmosphere for women of all abilities, encouraging them to have fun, develop their skills and learn the game. Members can take advantage of clinics or individual lessons, participate in golf getaways, special events and play 9 or 18 holes on a weekly basis at sponsor courses. Foursomes are arranged through a Member Coordinator buy play amongst players of all levels is encouraged. CWGI also actively supports the local community and donates thousands of dollars annually to charities. A great feature of CWGI is their Mentoring Program where other league players welcome new golfers. What really shines is their "golden rule" policy. Golden Rule - To to make it easier for beginners and experts to play together, this is how the golden rule works: If an expert and beginner are playing together and it is a par 3 hole and the beginner has taken 3 strokes and is only half way down the fairway (the expert will likely be on, or very close, to the green) they pick up their ball and place it on the green approximately 10 feet from the hole and putt out. (If it is a par 4 they will take four stokes before picking up their ball if it is not very close to the green and place it 10 feet from the hole on the green). On their card (if they picked up the ball on the fairway) they will count their strokes i.e. 3 on the fairway and say 3 on the green for a total of 6 but along with the 6 they will put a small "x". The goal for the beginner is to get rid of the "x's" by the end of the golf season. This way play is not held up, nor a beginner or expert discouraged from playing together. CWGI has been using the "golden rule" for 8 years with success. This is a great idea. I wish this rule regarding "picking up" would apply to all foursomes, on all courses, regardless of players' level of ability -- especially on weekends!. Foresight Golf GirlsFGG is a Montreal, Quebec golf league that takes the league concept to another, very interesting level. As with many leagues FGG offers women-only golf seminars, clinics, demo days, discounts on merchandise and golf getaways. The focus here is on non-competitive play as a means of fostering a networking and motivational environment which supports businesswomen who use golf to further their careers and businesses. The dynamic, creative force behind FGG is Ms. Tanya Maier, owner & President of Foresight Strategies, a consultancy in HR, sales, public relations which aims to help executives and entrepreneurs succeed in life and business via its golf-related seminars, conferences and events. Let's Play Great Golf Tour (LPGG)The LPGG is a Women's Golf Super League based in Kelowna, B.C. The mission statement reads that the aim is, "To provide a competitive arean for Women golf Professionals which will include women amateurs & aspiring junior girl players with an 18 index or lower." Tournaments are held throughout the Okanagan region of B.C. to provide quality events and game experience for players who want to develop their competitive game. Women's Golf Development RCGA Women's Golf Programs are starting to take hold within a national strategy that the RCGA has under development for golf at the national and regional level. For more detail on these programs go to the Women's Golf Development page
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