LONDON: Women’s golf is growing at a record pace worldwide. According to the R&A’s Global Golf Participation Report [1], published this month, women now account for 34% of all adult golfers across the organisation’s key markets, up from 31% the previous year. The figures span 148 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and Oceania.
The trend is consistent across both established and emerging golf markets. In Germany, women now account for 41% of adult participants; in Argentina, 36%; in Great Britain & Ireland, 33%; and in Australia, 31%. Also, this month in the United States, the National Golf Foundation reports [2]a 45% rise in female on-course golfers since 2020, with the total surpassing 8.1 million – the highest on record – and women now accounting for 28% of all on-course play.
The growth in participation is matched by momentum in the professional game. The LPGA Tour’s 2025 schedule carries a record $131 million in prize money, up roughly 90% in four years, while the 2023 Solheim Cup drew 9.5 million viewer hours – with a third of that audience having never watched the men’s Ryder Cup. These are not just sporting milestones; they are signals of a cultural shift that is driving new audiences to the game and, increasingly, new travellers to the tee.
“What the data reflects is something we’ve been experiencing in practice for a while now. Female golf travellers are increasingly sophisticated in how they plan and what they expect, the course is one part of a broader experience that includes wellness, culture and, critically, the people they’re travelling with. The opportunity is in understanding that these are golfers looking for a different kind of travel with a different set of priorities, and designing product that actually reflects that.” commented Dolores Brown, Head of Tournaments, Golfbreaks.
For the golf travel industry, this represents a significant and growing commercial opportunity. Female golf travellers are increasingly experienced and discerning, with clear priorities: world-class courses, wellness, a strong sense of community and destinations that make them feel genuinely welcome. International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), organised by RX, returns to the Palais des Festivals, Cannes from 19-22 October 2026, and the growth of women’s golf travel will be among the defining conversations at this year’s event.
“The growth in women’s golf is one of the most compelling stories in sport right now, and its implications for travel are significant. Across every market we look at – from Europe and Asia to North America and beyond – we’re seeing more women playing, more women travelling and more operators developing product to serve them,” said Fiona Ashton, Event Manager, IGTM and IGTM Discovery. “These are discerning travellers with high expectations and a clear sense of what they want from a golf trip. The industry has a real opportunity here, and IGTM is where it gets acted on.”
“The rise of women’s golf isn’t just happening on the course – it’s being driven by the women shaping the game behind the scenes. From coaching and course management to media, retail, and governance, women working in golf are expanding access, elevating standards, and redefining what the sport can be. Through the Women in Golf Awards we see their leadership opening doors for the next generation, and the momentum we’re seeing today is a direct result of their vision and determination.” added Nicole Wheatley, Founder of the Women in Golf Awards or CEO of Medi8 Golf
Reshaping The Global Market | Women’s Golf Reaches Record Highs Worldwide
