Creating Female Golfers – Play to the Things That Women Already Like

Today’s PGAmagazine.com Blog moderator is PGA Master Professional Cathy Harbin. Cathy is the PGA golf administrator at the World Golf Foundation in St. Augustine, Fla., and is the director of the Play Golf America and Golf 20/20 “Get Golf Ready” program, which is designed to teach new golfers everything they will need to know to step onto a golf course and go out and play with confidence in five short lessons. She was the 2005 North Florida PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities.

Everyone is looking for new ways to increase traffic to their facilities. Well, instead of creating something completely new, let’s take what we know about the female golfers of the world and build programs that are attractive to them. Let’s just play to the things that women already like.

We know that a woman likes to do fun things with a friend. What that means to us is that it is unlikely that a woman will take up the game of golf on her own. She wants to take on this new – and, hopefully, fun – challenge with a friend. Encourage this with 2-for-1 pricing, a mentor program or a “sign up as a single and we’ll match you with a friend” program. An attractive price always helps and the comfort of knowing they will be put with another person makes them feel better. Still, one of the best ways to increase your women’s business is some kind of “introduce a friend to the game” program. That sounds better than a “mentor program” even though they are very similar.

We know that women like to have a fun, social side to their activities. So, what is fun for women golfers?  Well, it starts with the treatment they receive from the staff. For example, women are more inclined to have more fun with a warm and friendly check-in at the golf shop than a fast and efficient check-in. Make sure your staff is aware of the importance of making women feel comfortable and welcome. Also, make sure your lessons and leagues have an element of fun and add in a happy hour so the ladies can socialize with each other after they play. 

We know that there are many potential women golfers out there that have not taken the giant step to enter the game. They want to learn to play, they just don’t know how or where to begin. Have an entry-level instructional program that is easy, fun and eliminates intimidation. Our new Get Golf Ready in 5 Days program is terrific for beginning women golfers. Find out more about Get Golf Ready at GetGolfReady.com. Also on this Web site is an online application to become a certified host facility.