Female Golfers

Golf has long been a male-dominated sport and considered a man's game for good reason. Recently women like Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie and Paula Creame have entered the world of golf and brought attention to the sport as an alternative for girls. Veteran golfers like Beth Daniel, Nancy Lopez and Juli Inkster have impressive records and the winnings to prove it. Yet women still have to break through walls to overcome subtle discrimination like not being able to find clothing in many pro shops and not so subtle discrimination like having restricted access to play at certain peak times.

When a woman decides to pursue golf as a career, for pleasure or for business, she is faced with many obstacles and men will, at times, let them know they are not wanted through stares, glares or by simply ignoring them. Women are less likely to receive financial support through sponsorships in the world of golf, even though this is changing as more and more women embrace the game. If a woman leaves golfing to have children, or care for a family, she may have a hard time returning to the golf course. Petite women like Linda Chen have to overcome the size hurdle because many players don't think she has the strength to hit the ball well.

The world of golf has been closed to women for decades, but more and more women are creating their own clubs, sponsoring other women and offering scholarships to train girls at a young age to love the game of golf. This continued interest in golf will remove many of the obstacles in the way of women who truly love the game.