A first bucket of balls on the driving range. A clinic with friends. A round where the laughs matter almost as much as the good shots. For many women discovering golf today, the experience begins less with competition and more with a sense of community.
Across Quebec, clubs, associations and community-led initiatives are working to make the sport more accessible to women and girls. From programs like Élan féminin – Le golf pour elles, developed by Golf Québec and the PGA of Quebec, to national initiatives such as Golf Canada’s She Plays Golf, the goal is the same: to create welcoming environments where new golfers can learn, build confidence and feel a sense of belonging.
This evolution comes at a promising time. According to Golf Canada, 8.5 million Canadians played golf in 2025, underscoring the sport’s continued growth across the country. Yet despite that momentum, women still make up only one-quarter of Canadian golfers.
While women’s participation continues to grow, several barriers remain. The perceived cost of the sport, unfamiliarity with the Rules of Golf and golf etiquette, the cost of equipment, or simply entering a space that has traditionally been male dominated can make the first step intimidating.
“I think there are more and more women who want to get into golf,” said Dérick Couture, Executive Director of the PGA of Quebec, during an interview with Au19e. “But sometimes it’s the challenge of starting something new that feels difficult or intimidating.”
To address these realities, organizations across the industry are creating more opportunities for women to learn, explore and engage with the game in ways that suit their needs.
At the heart of this movement is a simple idea: often, the biggest challenge isn’t learning the golf swing. It’s finding a place where you feel you belong.
A community was born
That realization inspired Quebec’s Michelle Wright, the founder of Fika Golf, to create a community geared primarily toward women between the ages of 25 and 45. Today, the group brings together women from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels. Nearly 30 percent are new to golf, while others have been playing for years.
Wright took up golf five years ago while playing with her mother and quickly noticed a gap. Although she regularly saw women on the course, few were part of her generation. Many of the women’s leagues and activities she joined were largely made up of retirees. She realized other young professionals were likely experiencing the same challenge.
What started as an Instagram page and a way to find a few playing partners quickly grew into something much bigger. Launched in 2025, the community now includes more than 2,200 Instagram followers and a private group of nearly 600 women who share advice, invitations and recommendations.
Beyond the numbers, Fika Golf’s success is rooted in a clear philosophy: making golf feel less intimidating.
“I wanted it to be a place where a woman who had never played before could feel welcome,” said Wright. Group clinics, simulator nights, social rounds and informal meetups give participants opportunities to learn at their own pace and without pressure.
The approach reflects a reality observed across many women-focused golf initiatives. Long before they are chasing lower scores, many participants are seeking confidence, enjoyment and meaningful social connections. Golf skills tend to follow.
The importance of mentorship
For many new golfers, informal mentorship can make all the difference.
Wright credits much of her own development to her mother, who introduced her to the unwritten aspects of the game: golf etiquette, pace of play, expected behaviour on the greens and the traditions that shape golf culture.
These details may seem second nature to experienced golfers, but they can be intimidating for someone new to the sport.
Today, Wright strives to recreate that experience within her community. During events, more experienced participants are quick to support newcomers and answer even the most basic questions.
That culture of mutual support helps create an environment where beginners feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions and, most importantly, coming back.
More pathways into golf
This evolution is part of a broader movement. Through She Plays Golf, Golf Canada is creating more opportunities for women and girls to discover the game, whether their goals involve recreational play, skill development, competition or leadership within the golf industry.
In Quebec, that vision is also reflected in initiatives like Élan féminin – Le golf pour elles, a program jointly developed by Golf Québec and the PGA of Quebec. Offered in multiple regions across the province, the program provides women-only clinics and activities designed to create a welcoming, supportive and inclusive learning environment.
The approach recognizes that there is no single path into golf. For some, it is a social activity. For others, it is a networking opportunity, a personal challenge or a competitive pursuit.
“All reasons are good reasons,” said Anne Robergsen, PGA of Quebec professional and member of the association’s board of directors. “You don’t need a perfect swing, and you don’t have to play 18 holes.”
These efforts appear to be making an impact. Golf Canada has observed that new participants have become younger and more female in recent years, a trend supported in part by introductory programs designed specifically for women and girls.
Redefining women’s place in golf
For women discovering golf today, the opportunity extends far beyond corporate tournaments or improving a handicap index.
It may take the form of a first clinic with friends, an after-work round, a networking event, a mentoring relationship or a community where they feel welcome from day one.
Initiatives such as She Plays Golf, Élan féminin – Le golf pour elles and emerging groups like Fika Golf are helping create more entry points into the game while redefining what the golf experience can look like for women.
Many leaders across the industry also highlight the ripple effect of women’s participation. When a woman discovers golf and finds a place where she belongs, she is often more likely to introduce friends, children and other family members to the game.
The future of women’s golf in Quebec will not be measured solely by rounds played or tournaments contested. It will also be found in the spaces where women feel comfortable enough to try golf for the first time and welcomed enough to want to come back.
The post Driving change: the communities driving women’s golf forward first appeared on Golf Canada.
Article Link: https://www.golfcanada.ca/articles/driving-change-the-communities-driving-womens-golf-forward/