Women Embrace Golf as Participation Rates Surge

Women are increasingly engaging in golf, with participation rates nearly doubling compared to men. Melissa Miegel, who began playing at 37, exemplifies this trend, having taken up the sport five months ago after joining her father on the green.

Golf Australia reports that about 60 percent of new golfers in the past two years are women. Miegel, a mental health worker, appreciates golf for its calming effect and the opportunity it provides to focus on the present moment.

To encourage more women in South Australia's Riverland region, Miegel collaborates with a local coach to promote the sport. Women are now playing more nine-hole rounds than men and are frequent users of driving ranges and simulators. Golf Australia emphasizes the need for cultural changes in clubs to create welcoming environments for women, who now represent 42 percent of all golfers in Australia.