If you’re looking to increase the number of rounds of golf at your golf facility, you may want to take a few tips from the Wall Street Journal and give your facility more “female appeal”. According to WSJ, women have a high level of standard expectations of the golfing facility where they choose to golf….. “course operators vastly underestimate the significance to women of top-notch conditions, speed of play and the length of holes. They also tend to trivialize concerns such as having adequate drinking water and clean bathrooms on the course, clear directional signage and tee markers, well-stocked women’s merchandise sections in the pro shop and a friendly, welcoming staff attuned to women’s needs.”
Research studies show that women are actually willing to pay a premium for this “ideal golfing universe”; yes, they are willing to pay 8% to 15% more for these course amentities and services. So why is this round generating opportunity overlooked or worse yet, dismissed by golf facilities throughout the country? Is is because of the stigma that golf is a good old boys sport and that the good old boys’ standards are no equal match for that of our women? Or, is it because the course designs have always catered to longer holes…hence, the male population? Why not incorporate into the design of the course, forward tees that provide an enjoyable, yet challenging, opportuntiy for the ladies to have a “good” hole? No guys, it’s not just as simple as putting a tee box in the middle of the fairway…..it’s creating the right distance while incorporating interest and challenge for that women population. From a skill challenge this would be a great feather in your cap! Then add a few niceties and you may very well be onto driving more women to your golf course.
Women’s golf has only grown by 1% over the past 30 years. Perhaps it’s time to make a change and create an enviroment that drives more women golfers your way……p.s. don’t forget the clean bathrooms and flowers!
Posted by Marilyn Harris
