Golf’s image has traditionally been skewed one way: an older man in a collared shirt and khakis, clubs in hand, ready for an afternoon on the green. But that’s changing. Since 2019, female golfers have seen a 41% increase, according to the National Golf Foundation—and women now make up 28% of on-course golfers, the highest on record. This increase has the travel industry taking note. “Female participation at Monarch Beach Golf Links has seen a notable increase, particularly in lessons and group events,” says Jackie K. Riegle, PGA, director of player development and marketing at Monarch Beach Golf Links, who personally leads many of the sessions and coaches at the resort. “This growth is fueled by a broader movement toward inclusivity in golf and a rising demand for social and wellness-focused experiences among women.
Riegle isn’t alone in observing this rise. From California to Fiji, courses and resorts are seeing more women teeing off—not just as casual weekend players, but as intentional travelers building getaways around the sport.
For Kelsey Ogletree, founder of Pitchcraft and lifelong golfer, golf isn’t just a sport—it’s a foundational part of her identity. Introduced to the game by her father at age three, Ogletree played competitively in high school and college, and now incorporates golf into many of her vacations.
“We regularly planned vacations around golf destinations,” she says of trips with her husband. “Scottsdale and Tucson were favorites, and we also enjoy playing in Mexico—El Camaleon in Mayakoba, which hosts PGA [Professional Golfers’ Association] Tour, LIV, and LPGA [Ladies Professional Golf Association] tournaments, is one of our favorites.” This summer, Ogletree, now eight months pregnant, is planning a golf trip to McLemore in Georgia before the arrival of her second child. (“Yes, I’m still swinging at eight-plus months pregnant!”)
Her approach to golf travel? It’s less about shooting under par, and more about balancing experience. “We like to golf for a day or two, but not every day of our trip.” She notes that mixing in things like nice meals at new restaurants, lounging by the pool or beach, or exploring the town is essential—it’s not just about golf.
That lifestyle-centric attitude reflects a broader shift in how women are approaching the sport. Taylor Olson, founder of women’s golf fashion brand Draw & Fade, sees this trend as both exciting and overdue. “Just two years ago, my mom and I were asked to leave an outdoor area of the ‘men’s grill’ at a club,” Olson recalls, making note that there were no other similar spaces for women players. “We still live in the age of ‘men’s grills’ and that contributes to the intimidation factor that I think deters so many women from playing the game.”