Women’s golf reaches record highs worldwide as women’s participation reshapes global markets | News

Women’s golf is growing at a record pace worldwide. This is evident from the R&A’s Global Golf Participation Report[1]published this month, women now represent 34% of all adult golfers in the organization’s key markets, up from 31% the year before. The figures include 148 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and Oceania.

The trend is consistent across both established and emerging golf markets. In Germany, women now represent 41% of adult participants; in Argentina, 36%; in Great Britain and Ireland: 33%; and in Australia 31%. The National Golf Foundation also reports this month in the United States [2]a 45% increase in the number of female golfers on the course since 2020, with the total exceeding 8.1 million – the highest ever recorded – and women now accounting for 28% of all on-course play.

The growth in participation comes with momentum in the professional game. The LPGA Tour’s 2025 schedule features a record $131 million in prize money, up roughly 90% in four years, while the 2023 Solheim Cup drew 9.5 million viewing 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 travelers to the tee.

“What the data reflects is something we have been experiencing on the ground for some time. Female golf travelers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way they plan and what they expect. The course is part of a wider experience that includes wellbeing, culture and, crucially, the people they travel with. The opportunity is to understand that these are golfers looking for a different kind of travel with different priorities, and design a product that actually reflects that.” said Dolores Brown, Head of Tournaments, Golf Breaks.
For the golf travel industry this represents a significant and growing commercial opportunity. Female golf travelers are becoming increasingly experienced and demanding, with clear priorities: world-class golf courses, wellbeing, a strong sense of community and destinations where they feel truly welcome. International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), organized by RX, returns to the Palais des Festivals, Cannes from October 19 to 22, 2026, and the growth of women’s golf travel will be one of the defining conversations at this year’s event.

“The growth of women’s golf is one of the most compelling stories in sport right now, and its implications for travel are significant. In every market we look at – from Europe and Asia to North America and beyond – we see more women playing, more women traveling and more operators developing products to serve them,” said Fiona Ashton, Event Manager, IGTM and IGTM Discovery. “These are discerning travelers with high expectations and a clear idea of ​​what they want from a golf trip. The industry has a real opportunity here, and IGTM is where action is being taken.”

Research released by 18Players[3] in collaboration with IGTM points out the form of that question. More than half of golfers surveyed (56%) said non-golf elements – wellness, scenery and culture – are ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important when choosing a golf trip, while 79% said they would consider traveling with a larger group of friends or family. Both findings are particularly important for the women’s travel market, where the opportunity to connect with like-minded people and share experiences is often a key factor in booking decisions.

“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, raising 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 see 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

This year’s event also marks the launch of IGTM Discovery, the official extension of IGTM that brings the wider golf industry into the same environment for the first time. By connecting technology, equipment, apparel, retail and club operations suppliers with PGA professionals, golf directors and club managers, IGTM Discovery broadens the conversation from golf travel to the operational decisions that shape how women experience the sport on the ground – from the equipment offered to them to the programs and environments that create facilities for them. With more than 50 exhibitors and over 1,700 golf professionals expected to attend, this represents a new chapter for the event and a new platform for industry-wide action in women’s golf.

With female participation at record levels around the world and the pipeline of potential golf travelers greater than ever, the industry’s ability to respond – with the right product, the right environments and the right experiences – has never been more important. Together, IGTM and IGTM Discovery will bring together the destinations, operators, suppliers and professionals best able to meet that demand.

For more information about IGTM, please visit: www.igtmarket.com