More than 20 women — wearing everything from jeans to a dress, sneakers and Crocs — gathered last week to try their hand at an ambrose round, trying out skills acquired in previous weeks.
They were part of Golf New Zealand’s effort to encourage more women into the game. She Loves Golf sessions had been running at Roxburgh with about 30 women registered.
Golf development officer (Otago) Byron Willis, of Queenstown, said he ran sessions at the course for school children aged 11 to 13 then She Loves Golf from 5.30pm. He had also had a 5- and 6-year-old to tutor.
After the golf the women returned to the club house to socialise and discuss their progress over a drink and nibbles.
Willis said the first two sessions were chipping and putting, getting a grip on the club and the basics of the game.
"It’s about breaking the stigma that golf is for old men," he said.
Having only women at the sessions made them more confident on the course. Women club members also attended and were keen to lend a hand where they could.
Golf New Zealand research showed 21% of adult golf club members were women and of those 86% were over-50. Of the 79% of men playing 63% were over-50.
Willis said golf memberships around the country skyrocketed during Covid and had held steady since.
At She Loves Golf there was a really social atmosphere and the women played fewer holes than in traditional games, he said.
"Golf takes time, especially when you are starting out."
Roxburgh Golf Club president Neville Hazlett said he was amazed to see the turnout.
It would be up to the club to accommodate them to make sure they got enjoyment out of the game, he said.
That might be through different types of membership or encouraging the women to play at times and days that suited them.
Zoe McKenzie, of Roxburgh, was playing with friends Laurie Hill and Gemma McNeish.
Being able to play in a small group where they were all learning appealed to all three women, as did only being committed for six weeks without a big financial outlay.
