Golf Course Reviews for Women by Women - Finding Golfer Friendly Courses

In my profession of reviewing Georgia Golf Courses, mainly in the Atlanta area golf market, I have the unique ability to add a special twist to my golf course reviews. My readers get the added benefit of golf course reviews for women, by a woman.

One of my pet peeves is a golf course that isn't truly set up for the woman golfer.

For example, have you ever played a golf course where the forward tees (aka, the "ladies tees") seem to have been added as after-thought? A cut down patch of fairway, or the tee box markers just "tossed" somewhere in front of the men's forward tees, are just two examples of a golf course that doesn't take into consideration the power of the woman golfing market.

Women golfers now represent over 25% of the golfing market as a whole. Also, an important statistic to take into account is that the fastest growing segment of women golfers is the 18-29 year old bracket. Let alone the fact that one-third of all "new golfers" are women.

Add to these statistics the simple fact that golf is a "game for a lifetime" and golfers over 50 play more rounds than their younger counter-parts, it is very difficult for me to see, from a pure business angle, how this market isn't given very serious consideration at EVERY golf course. Will this take some extra effort? Of course, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the original investment.

The average woman golfer carries a USGA index of about 28. The forward/ladies tees should be set up with that market in mind. Currently, I carry a USGA index that puts me in the top 7% of US amateur women golfers. I know that if a course has a negative effect on me, it will certainly cause a negative effect on the target market of women golfers.

I have seen definite improvement in golf course set-up in relation to the woman golfer in the past few years, but there are still courses that need a "touch up". Being that the golf industry is a male-dominated field, I believe it would benefit each course to enlist some women golfers of varying playing abilities to review their course. More importantly, listen to their feedback.

I feel certain that golf courses that are reviewed by women for women will see a definite impact on their business interaction with that target market. It's not so much about a course being "woman friendly", it's about a course making a wise business decision to be "golfer friendly" and cater to all playing ability levels.