Why?

The team at 18Birdies, a golf app which has scoring, club selection and yardages among other features, did a study to try and figure this out. Conducted with the research firm Fusion Hill, the study showed that many women who play golf don’t see themselves as golfers, but participants. The distinction is important. There’s a lack of ownership, which comes from a lack of confidence on the golf course.

The study covers female golfers of different abilities, defining what keeps women from playing golf and what should be done to help female golfers to play more. One of the most interesting findings from the study is the role of a significant other in a woman’s golf experience. The study found that there’s a segment of female golfers whose boyfriend or husband was responsible for introducing them to golf. And while this is initially positive because it gets the woman into golf in the first place, the relationship can ultimately become harmful to her progress as a golfer.

“We found that women who learn the game through a significant other often rely on that person for everything in golf – from where and when to play, to what club to hit on the course,” explained Susan Song, CMO at 18Birdies.

Women who were introduced to golf through their significant other rarely played if their significant other hadn’t set it up, and when they did, they didn’t have enough knowledge to feel comfortable and confident on the course. This is a problem because it means the woman’s independence as a golfer has been stunted. While the introduction is good, there’s not much growth from there.

18Birdies partnered with the LPGA to help get women to that next step, to help them gain knowledge and in turn, confidence and independence in the game.

“Women need their own community, where they can find other women to play with, teachers to give them lessons, and access to the resources necessary to learn the game,” said Song.

Between the 18Birdies app and the LPGA Network, which launched back in January 2018, women have the ability to know what’s going on on the course, with yardages and club selection via the app, and also resources to help find teachers, clinics and events, and more.

(If you’re looking for a teacher in your area, look at our ranking of the best teachers in each state.)

The question of why don’t more women play golf has been around for decades, but targeting the issue of a lack of confidence and independence is an intriguing one. Adding in means by which to educate women is even better.

The post Women’s Golf Day is a time to celebrate women’s golf, and look to how it can grow appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club will again host the US$550,000 event, the 14^th of the LET’s 19 events in 2017. The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, to be promoted by Falcon Golf for the first time at Emirates Golf Club from December 6-9, is again the final event of the season.

The FBMLO dates were confirmed Tuesday as Saadiyat Beach and Troon Golf sister club Abu Dhabi GC joined seven other UAE clubs to celebrate International Women’s Golf Day with free learn to golf lessons. FBMLO prizes and VIP passes were up for grabs at the Abu Dhabi #WomensGolfDay events.

“The feedback we received from the players at the inaugural FBMLO was overwhelmingly positive, which is not surprising given the world-class facilitates on offer in Abu Dhabi,” LET CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh.

“Women’s Golf Day represents the global movement in women’s golf, which is inspiring a whole new generation of golfers and events like the FBMLO play a significant part to ensure this continued growth over the coming years.”

Scotland-based US professional Beth Allen won the inaugural FBMLO, finishing 21-under par to scoop the first women’s pro event staged in Abu Dhabi. It helped Allen capture the LET’s order-of-merit and Players’ player of the year titles but she has struggled in 2017.

A T37 finish in the LET’S season-opening Victorian Open and T7 placing in the LPGA’S Australian Open was encouraging but Allen has since missed five cuts in her last six event in the US.

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The 2^nd annual International Women’s Golf Day (WGD) has grown its global reach by 68 percent thanks to the help of clubs such as the UAE nine which have lined up various activations for beginners and experienced players.

Globally, events will be held at more than 691 locations across 46 countries with clubs encouraged to offer a two-hour golf clinic and/or offer a nine-hole round of golf, culminating with a two- hour “social affair…where women can network and socialise”.

Check out what the participating UAE clubs are offering here:

Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Time: 8am   Entry fee: AED 130
What: 9 and 18 hole fun competition followed by Lunch in Cafe28.
                                                                                                                                  
Address Montgomerie Dubai
Time: 9.30am and 5pm 
What: 9.30am – Par 3 Texas Scramble. 5pm – 1 hour Free introductory clinic for girls

Al Ghazal Golf Club
Time: 4pm, 6pm and 7pm        
What: 4pm – 6-hole Texas Scramble (open to all). 6pm – Short game clinic. 7pm – 1 hour introductory golf lesson.

Al Zorah Golf Club
Time: 10am and 4pm      Entry fee: FREE
What: 10am – 1 hour free clinic followed by Par 3 challenge; 4pm 1 hour short game clinic followed by 5 hole short course

Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Time: 8am and 6.30pm Entry fee: From AED 50
What: 8am – 9-hole team Texas Scramble (for experienced golfers/AED 200). 6.30pm – Par 3 event plus various activations on the driving range/putting green/tuition

Emirates Golf Club
Time: Various        
What: 4pm to 5pm – Short game (beginners)/Golf Fundamentals (advanced). 4pm to 6pm – Putting challenge and play the Par 3 course. 5.15pm – 6pm – Golf Fundamentals (beginners) and short game (advanced)

The Els Club Dubai
Time: 6pm  
What: Six hole par 3 course competition and short game challenges with prizes. Followed by ladies night promotion in The Big Easy.

The Track, Meydan Golf
Time: 8am and 9am                   
What: 2 x 1 hour coaching clinics

Yas Links Golf Club
Time: 5pm  
What: 5pm to 6.30pm – Long and short game introduction. 6.30pm to 7pm – Tour of hole 1 on the Par 3 course

WGD founder Elisa Gaudet has worked tirelessly to grow the initiative from last year’s inaugural #Women’sGolfDay. Gaudet has appointed well-known Arabian Golf TV founder Marlon Weir as WGD’s official UAE ambassador.

“It’s important that women have a positive experience when playing golf, regardless of their level of experience and Women’s Golf Day caters to all levels and imparts camaraderie,” she said.

Gaudet is thrilled at the rapid expansion but not surprised by the worldwide interest.

“For a while the industry was looking at ways to engage women, I am elated and proud that this one day international event has introduced thousands of new female golfers to the sport and impassioned existing golfers while transcending language, culture, religion, and race to celebrate golf, women, and community, Gaudet said.

“It is also important for the golf industry to understand women make up 85% of all consumer purchases and the important role they play as economic influencers for the family. The big-ticket items for the golf industry are home purchases in golf communities, country club memberships, and golf vacations where women have a definitive say in the making of those decisions.

It is said the best business is done on the golf course and Gaudet says there is no reason why busy businesswomen shouldn’t also cash in by learning the “game for a lifetime”.

“We’ve discovered that female business professionals who take up the game of golf soon recognise the value it brings when it comes to customer engagement and future business development,” said

Visit womensgolfday.com for more information.

The post UAE unites for International Women’s Golf Day on Tuesday appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In the UAE nine clubs have organised official events offering lessons, the first step on a pathway to “skills that last a lifetime”.

It’s a commendable campaign but Trump International Golf Club, Dubai is determined to go above and beyond in the push to introduce women to the game.

Dubai’s newest club has unveiled its #ladiesluvgolf campaign. Set to launch on International Women’s Golf Day, the campaign is designed to demystify the sport with easy to follow learn-to-golf videos and regular how-to-articles just for ladies, as well as discounted women’s golf lessons and events.

As part of the push, Trump International’s experienced PGA golf professionals, Sven Nielsen and Michael Bolt, will continue their popular ‘Golf & Coffee Mornings’ each Monday and Wednesday from at 8am. Join the fun group lessons between June 4 and 10 and enjoy a 50% discount in celebration of International Women’s Golf Day.

“Golf is on a roll, re-inventing itself and growing the game. It’s also set its sights on attracting more women to the sport [and] that’s why Trump International Golf Club, Dubai is proud to launch it’s #ladiesluvgolf campaign,” Trump Dubai General Manager Andrew Whitelaw said.

Head PGA Professional, Sven Nielsen, offers novice golfer, Caitlin, golfing instruction at a recent Trump Dubai Ladies Golf & Coffee morning

Trump Dubai’s Director of Golf, Craig Waddell, agreed the “secret was out” with women discovering golf is a fun, social workout. The Damac Hills-based property is “an easy location for ladies to stop in, learn golf and also enjoy fantastic dining across our four restaurants. “

“Dubai is a cosmopolitan, sporty city and ladies here love to catch up with friends and workout together, so golf is the ideal sport to try,” Waddell added.

“They are increasingly being inspired to pick up a club by high-profile professionals, such as Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wei, with these athletes proving that golf is exciting and no longer a man’s world.

“Golf now understands the importance of creating diverse ways to grow the game, as well as making it more appealing to a younger generation. In the men’s game we now have GolfSixes and the ladies recently had Lexi Thompson even parachute onto the 1st tee! So, we’re extremely excited to also be heavily invested in the future of ladies golf here at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai.”

Why not give golf a try?  Join Trump International as it helps ladies to discover how fun and active golf is. Follow Trump Dubai on social media @trumpgolfdubai to discover why #ladiesluvgolf is the the ideal introduction to the game of a lifetime.

For more information email golfacademy@trumpgolfdubai.com or call 04 245 3939.

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