Women Shaping Golf Travel

International Women's Day (IWD) falls on 8th March every year and serves as a global celebration of women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.The day also marks an ongoing call to action for gender equality and addressing ongoing challenges, by highlighting the work still needed to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all women, a theme that resonates across all industries, including golf.

The story of International Women’s Day goes back to the early 1900s, when women in North America and Europe campaigned for fair pay, better working conditions, shorter hours, and the right to vote - pretty big asks at the time!

What began as labour movement protests gradually gained momentum and support around the world. Over the years, it grew into a global moment of recognition and action. Today, it’s officially recognised by the United Nations and is even marked as a public holiday in many countries.

For golfers, it's a natural moment to recognise the women who've shaped the game, from tour professionals to course designers to the golf experts in the travel companies that get us to the first tee.

Golf has traditionally been shaped around men, from memberships polices boardroom representation. Thankfully, that has steadily been changing and IWD gives us a moment to recognise the women leading that progress.

Recognising women in golf isn't about ticking a box. It's about seeing clearly who's been winning majors, designing courses, managing resorts, and building the infrastructure that makes golf travel possible. When we mark International Women's Day, we're also marking real progress—and the work that remains.

Women's professional golf has never had more visibility. The LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour plus circuits across Asia and Australia have expanded schedules, increased prize funds and secured better broadcast deals over the past decade.

Recreational participation is climbing too. Golf clubs across the UK, Ireland and Europe report growing women's memberships, while initiatives like Get Into Golf and Women on Course have introduced thousands of new players. The result is more women on fairways, more women in pro shops and more women booking golf holidays, something we love to see.

Female golfers booking breaks and trips look for something a little more rounded than the traditional golf getaway. While great courses are still essential, they are only part of the picture. We tend to favour destinations that blend great golf with time to unwind, good food, and social spaces where we feel completely comfortable. The atmosphere makes a difference too; somewhere welcoming and inclusive, not overly male-dominated, really shapes the experience.

What Female Golf Groups Typically Look For
Before choosing where to go, there are a few things many of us naturally look for:

• Spa-Led & Leisure-Focused Resorts
• Stylish, comfortable accommodation
• Varied dining
• Inclusive drinks options
• A genuinely welcoming golf environment
• Social spaces suited to groups
• Flexible itineraries that balance golf with relaxation
• Trusted hotel brands like Marriott & QHotels Collection

For many of us, it’s about creating a trip that feels as good off the course as it does on it.

When it comes to domestic travel, England is the clear frontrunner, capturing 44% of total interest from female golf groups. The preference leans heavily toward established resorts that offer a blend of championship golf and high-end leisure facilities. Destinations like The Belfry, Carden Park and East Sussex National are among the most sought-after, alongside the scenic Cotswolds and Belton Woods. These locations resonate because they successfully transition from the fairways to the spa, providing the multifaceted experience today’s female golfers demand.

Further afield, Scotland and Wales offer distinct draws for social groups. Interestingly women are prioritising the lush, accessible surroundings of Cardrona over the traditional prestige of St Andrews. However, iconic venues like the Old Course Hotel, Fairmont St Andrews and Turnberry remain firm favourites for those seeking a bucket-list backdrop. In Wales, St Pierre currently leads the pack, narrowly edging out the world-renowned Celtic Manor and The Vale Resort.

Female golfers in Ireland are attracted to the luxury of The K Club while Slieve Russell and Druids Glen round out the top three Irish resorts. There is a growing trend for curated tours, with East Ireland currently proving more popular than the rugged South West for women-led itineraries.

For female golfers looking beyond the UK, the allure of Mediterranean sunshine and all-inclusive luxury makes Spain, Portugal and Turkey the top three international choices, even outperforming the traditional pull of Scotland.

In Spain, the serene El Rompido is the most popular retreat, followed closely by the diverse challenges of La Cala and the prestigious Abama in Tenerife. Portugal remains a staple for social groups, with Dona Filipa standing out as the premier selection, while Penina, Amendoira and Vila Sol continue to draw significant numbers thanks to their blend of top-tier golf and upscale resort life.

The shift toward high-end, hassle-free travel is most evident in Turkey and Morocco, where all-inclusive packages are a major draw. In Turkey's Belek region, Cornelia Diamond reigns supreme, seeing nearly 10% more female visitors than the likes of Sueno, Sirene and Titanic Deluxe. Interestingly, Morocco has surpassed the USA in popularity for women's groups, with the Be Live Collection Marrakech capturing over 25% of the market. Its adults-only, all-inclusive model perfectly hits the "relaxation and social space" criteria female travelers prioritize.

In America, while further down the list in total volume, the Masters Experiences are a massive hit, accounting for 17% of all female travel to the States. For resort-based stays, Sawgrass, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst remain the gold standard.

The islands of Cyprus & Mauritius track neck-and-neck, likely due to their reputation for luxury all-inclusive stays that take the stress out of group planning. While over the channel in France the Le Touquet region is the undisputed favorite, offering a chic, accessible coastal escape that blends historic charm with championship layouts.

When you think of golf's most iconic holes, the island green at TPC Sawgrass, the oceanside 16th at Cypress Point, we don’t always hear about the women who helped shape them. Yet women have been influencing golf course design since the early 1900s, even if their names haven’t always been given the spotlight they deserve.

In The Architects of Golf the authors credit Ida Dixon as the first female golf architect in America and possibly the world, for her design of Springhaven Club in Pennsylvania during the early 1900s.

That alone tells us women have been part of the architectural story far longer than many realise.

Then there’s Marion Hollins, who started as a US Women’s Amateur champion before turning her attention to course design and advocating for the now-famous Cypress Point, with sole responsibility for the design of the iconic par-3 16th hole . Many architects felt the carry over the ocean was too bold, but she believed it would work, and she was right. Her conviction helped create one of golf’s most celebrated holes.

Alice Dye stands as the most influential woman in modern golf course architecture. Alice co-designed numerous courses alongside Pete Dye, the most famous being TPC Sawgrass & her influence for the iconic 17th., alongside some other notable mentions such as, Harbour Town, Crooked Stick, PGA West, Kiawah Island and Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic. Alice also made significant contributions in more thoughtful yardage options for women in the golf designs, making them more playable and inclusive to female golfers.

The profession is still heavily male-dominated, but when I look at the courses shaped by women, I see some of the most imaginative and enduring venues in the game. Their impact has always been there, it’s just time we talked about it more openly!

Marion Hollins took an unusual path into golf architecture, beginning as a U.S. Women's Amateur champion before turning her attention to course design. Her collaboration with the lead architect produced Pasatiempo Golf Club in California, which remains highly regarded nearly a century later.

Hollins originally intended for a different renowned designer to create Cypress Point, but after his death in 1926, she hired a new lead architect. This designer later credited Hollins as the person responsible for the design of the iconic par-3 16th hole.

"Miss Hollins said she did not think it was an impossible carry," the architect wrote in his book, The Spirit of St. Andrews. "She then teed up a ball and drove to the middle of the site for the suggested green."

Marion contributed to another notable course, the highly regarded, Augusta National. She was sent to Augusta to represent the design team as their representative, telling the club's co-founder, "I do not know of any man who has sounder ideas."

While she is often overshadowed in the history of the Georgia course that hosts The Masters, Hollins was the lead architect's eyes and ears on the ground. Overseeing the shaping of the greens. She ensured the complex, tiered surfaces met the specific strategic requirements of the original vision.

Hollins’ contribution was defined by courageous routing. She looked at natural obstacles, like the jagged coastline or steep elevation changes, not as barriers to be avoided, but as opportunities for dramatic, strategic play.

Alice Dye stands as the most influential woman in modern golf course architecture. Fondly known as the "First Lady" of golf architecture, alongside her husband, she contributed to designs at TPC Sawgrass, Harbour Town, Crooked Stick, PGA West, Kiawah Island and Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic.

Her most lasting contribution may be the concept of forward tees. Before Alice championed multiple teeing options, many courses offered only one or two tee positions, effectively excluding higher-handicap players from enjoying the full experience.

Molly Gourlay assisted on multiple course designs throughout Continental Europe in the 1930s, making her one of the first British women to work professionally in golf course design. Her focus on practical, playable layouts reflected an understanding that great golf doesn't require impossible carries or overly penal hazards.

Gourlay helped in renovating the Old Course at Ballybunion in 1936 as well as Carlow & County Louth in Ireland. She is also credited with helping in the design of Schloss Mittersill in Austria.

In addition to her field work, she contributed to golf architecture through her writing, notably the 1938 article "What Are Good Holes?" for The Golf Chronicle.

At Your Golf Travel, women play a vital role in shaping the experiences we create for golfers around the world. From sales and customer service to marketing and operations, their expertise, insight and leadership help ensure every trip runs seamlessly.

On International Women's Day, we’re proud to recognise the talented women across our business who bring passion, creativity and dedication to everything they do. Their perspectives strengthen our business, enrich our culture and help us better serve a diverse and growing community of golfers travelling worldwide. We celebrate their achievements today and every day.

Golf travel is for everyone, and International Women's Day is a reminder to celebrate the women who make the game what it is, players, designers, leaders and the countless others who contribute behind the scenes.

Whether you're planning a links pilgrimage to Scotland, a sunshine escape to the Algarve, or a bucket-list trip to Florida, the team at Your Golf Travel is ready to help. With access to over 3,500 destinations, expert consultants who know the courses firsthand and packages to suit every budget, your next golf holiday is closer than you think.

Favourite Course: The Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club, Belek, Turkey.
Best trip I've done: The Algarve, Portugal
Where my next trip is to: Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland

Email Zena at zena.adams@yourgolftravel.com to enquire about your next golf trip.