Women's Golf in the UK — A Complete Guide for Female Golfers

Golf is for everyone, and more women are taking it up. Many clubs now run beginner groups, coaching and social golf just for women. Meanwhile, short courses and pay and play venues make it easy to try. Whether you are brand new or returning to the game, this guide will help.

Getting started

The best first step is a lesson, because a coach helps you avoid bad habits. Group lessons for women are common, and they are a relaxed way to learn alongside others. Ask at your local club, range or council course.

After a few lessons, practise at a driving range. Our driving range guide explains how to get the most from a session. Then try a short course with a friend. Our guide to golf courses for beginners suggests welcoming places to start.

Learning the basic rules helps your confidence too. Our golf rules guide for beginners covers the essentials. In addition, our top tips for golf beginners cover kit, practice and etiquette.

Joining a club

Once you are hooked, joining a club gives you regular golf, competitions and friends to play with. Many clubs have women’s sections with their own events. Others run mixed competitions, so you can play with anyone.

Visit a few clubs before you join, since each has its own feel. Ask about women’s sections, beginner groups and membership options. Many clubs offer flexible or reduced memberships for new golfers, so the first year need not be expensive.

A club membership also lets you get a handicap. Our guide on how to get a golf handicap in the UK explains the steps.

Playing as a visitor

You do not need to join a club to play. For example, council courses and pay and play venues welcome everyone. Many members’ clubs also take visitors on set days. Our pay and play guide explains how booking works.

Equipment

You do not need a full set of clubs to start. A few irons, a wedge, a hybrid and a putter are plenty. Women’s clubs are lighter and more flexible than men’s, so they suit most women better. As a result, try before you buy, ideally with a coach’s help.

If carrying a bag feels tiring, a trolley helps. Our electric golf trolley buyer’s guide explains the options.

Dress codes

Most clubs ask for a collared top and smart trousers, shorts or a skirt. However, denim is often banned. Each club lists its rules on its website, so check before you go. Council and pay and play courses are usually more relaxed.

Golf with friends and family

Golf is a sociable game, so many women start with friends or as part of a family. Our junior golf guide covers children, while our golf society day guide explains how to organise a group day out.

A little history

Women have played golf in Scotland for a very long time. The Ladies’ Putting Club at St Andrews was founded in 1867, and it is often described as the oldest women’s golf club in the world.

The Curtis Cup, a team match between Great Britain and Ireland and the United States, began in 1932. It remains the leading team event in women’s amateur golf.

Famous British women golfers

British women have enjoyed great success in recent years. In particular:

• Catriona Matthew, from North Berwick, won the Women’s British Open in 2009 at Royal Lytham. She later captained Europe’s Solheim Cup team.
• Georgia Hall, from Bournemouth, won the Women’s British Open in 2018, also at Royal Lytham.
• Charley Hull has become one of the best-known players in the women’s game, thanks in part to her Solheim Cup performances.

Coaching and development

County golf unions and the national golf bodies run women’s and girls’ programmes. In particular, these range from beginner groups to elite pathways. Your county union or local club is the best place to ask.

Overcoming first-time nerves

Most new golfers feel nervous at first. That is normal, so do not let it stop you. These tips help:

• Start on a quiet course or at a quiet time of day.
• Play with a friend who is also learning.
• Let faster groups through if you feel rushed.
• Remember that everyone started somewhere, since every golfer has hit bad shots.

Find your course

The directory helps you find courses near home. For example, see the pages for golf courses near London, golf courses near Leeds and golf courses near Edinburgh. You can also browse every course we list in England.

On the kit side, our guides to trolley bags, trolley accessories and golf shoes for wet courses may help.