Sports-Articles » Golf >> Women and Golfing

The new millennium has brought along with it a dramatic increase in the popularity of womens golf, with a noticeable rise in the number of female golfers in both the professional and casual arenas. That means the perception of golf is changing in dramatic fashion, as golf is fast losing its reputation as an “old boys’ game.”

Though it may surprise some, women have been playing golf professionally for hundreds of years. But traditionally, golf has been an overwhelmingly male-dominated sport, with many golf establishments not even allowing female golfers to set foot on their golf courses. The journey to playing golf has not been an easy road for the female contingent.

Usually, it takes a spark of some sort to set off an explosive increase in popularity for a particular sport. In the world of men's golf, that spark was Tiger Woods, whose incredible play over the past decade or so elevated the popularity of golf to never-before-seen levels. It is quite noteworthy to consider that, as a small boy, Tiger was denied entry into a golfing club because of the color of his skin, a club which now welcomes the golfing star with open arms.

For women's golf, teenage sensation Michelle Wie has certainly been a catalyst in bringing major attention to the sport of women's golf in general, as she has sought to use her formidable golfing abilities to take on men directly. Similarly to Woods, perhaps her efforts will help eliminate the last barriers standing in the way of female golfers, including those handful of remaining clubs that still discriminate based on gender.

Regardless of Wie’s actual level of success in her quest to play with the men, in the past five years, women's golf has witnessed a vast rise in popularity thanks in part to her efforts as well as the inspired play of many other great female golfers such as Annika Sorenstam. And that popularity is only expected to increase. Women are now entering the game at a record pace, with the fastest rising demographic taking up the sport being women in their 20s and earlier.

It is interesting to note, however, there is a slight difference in the way men and women approach the game of golf. Women tend to view golf primarily as a social activity with competitive undertones, while men see golf primarily as a competitive activity with social undertones. Therefore, while male golfers may be obsessing about their handicap, female golfers just try to have a good time.

But despite the ultimate motive, women have unquestioningly embraced golf in the new millennium, and the result has been a a shot in the arm for golf.
Thomas Haney regularly writes about subjects related to golf. Visit www.dealsunlimited.biz to get great deals on golf supplies as well as learn more about women and golf, including practical subjects such as golf clubs for women. You are allowed to use this article for your own site as long as you leave all links working and refrain from editing the article or resource box in any way. Copyright 2007 Thomas Haney. All Rights Reserved.

Total Views : 112    Word Count Appx. : 513
By: Thomas Haney
See All articles From Author