Why are you so happy?
“My course just turned WFGC!”
Women Friendly Golf Course is a new innovative label, attributed to golf courses under specific conditions, to enhance the overall women’s golf experience.
“I am struggling on the course. Some holes are endless.”
WFGC is looking after you; you’re not alone.
“I can’t wait to play again tomorrow!”
The golfing experience proposed for the average women is shocking!
“It’s so sad my wife has no interest in playing on the course.”
“WFGC improves your relationships”
“Now I can play! And I love spending more time with my husband.”
“So few women are playing golf … Depressing!”
“She choose this female friendly course. We loved it so much ,we became members together.”
2023
7M
15.5%
In 2023 , 45 million Americans played golf, of which only 7 million were women, or 15.5% 😱. WFGC wants to set a target of 14 million, 31 % by 2040 😁
2040
14M
31%
“I am so tired of the range . I want to play on the course or I quit.”
“Family is our core value at WFGC.”
“It was so much fun playing with my friend.”
“I wish I could play with him.”
“Now , I feel like I have a chance to beat him. I am getting closer!”
What is the WFGC goal here? We want girls and women to cry ………………………Cry with happiness.
“It would be crazy not to make any changes…”
“Abundance matters to us.”
“…. A real shortfall”
“Good awaits us.”
“WFGC is a producer of joy, connections, sharing, and abundance… for us all.”
“If you want to be a hero…
…switch your course to the WFGC side.”
“If you want to be a hero…
…switch your course to the WFGC side.”
It’s time to take action!
“If not…
…we will look for you, we will find you and we will tie you up, on the range at the 50 yards sign on a tournament day.”
“What we hope is that all souls, whatever the body they have chosen to incarnate, can taste the happiness of playing.”
Nicolas Joakimides, founder and creator of the WFGC project.
I am a golf professional converted into a golf architect. I played 301 days of pro-ams, some of which with women’s teams. I also gave golf lessons. About ten years ago, I was able to identify an anomaly that a lot of people now recognizes about the women’s game. The courses are always too long and sometimes too technical. Winter tee boxes are… non-existent.
My last two 18-hole creations are “women friendly”. All of them are, actually. I want to encourage golf courses to follow this movement. This is why I created WFGC, the label. I hope to live this adventure with you. 🤩
Share our story (in which you‘re involved now) 😉
If you want to know more…
LW
SW
PW
9I
40 yards
50 yards
60 yards
70 yards
8I
7I
6I
5I
80 yards
87 yards
91 yards
94 yards
3Hybrid
5/7W
3W
Driver
97 yards
100 yards
105 yards
110 yards
LW
SW
PW
9I
40 yards
50 yards
60 yards
70 yards
8I
7I
6I
5I
80 yards
87 yards
91 yards
94 yards
3Hybrid
5/7W
3W
Driver
97 yards
100 yards
105 yards
110 yards
A course of maximum 4700 yards or less.
Greens should allow run-up shots, as women often struggle to hold the ball on the green.
They should have the opportunity to use toilets on the course.
4700 yards maximum for a par 72 (US, Asia, Australia ,Africa, Middle east) from the middle of the tee to the middle of the green.
18-Hole Golf Course | All Countries except Europe, UK & Ireland (Yards) | Europe (Meters) | UK & Ireland (Yards) |
---|---|---|---|
Par 75 | 4895 y | 4695 m | 5095 y |
Par 74 | 4830 y | 4630 m | 5030 y |
Par 73 | 4765 y | 4565 m | 4965 y |
Par 72 | 4700 y | 4500 m | 4900 y |
Par 71 | 4640 y | 4440 m | 4838 y |
Par 70 | 4580 y | 4380 m | 4772 y |
Par 69 | 4520 y | 4320 m | 4706 y |
Par 68 | 4460 y | 4260 m | 4640 y |
Par 67 | 4400 y | 4200 m | 4575 y |
9 holes Par 36 | 2350 y | 2250 m | 2450 y |
Par 35 | 2290 y | 2190 m | 2386 y |
Par 34 | 2230 y | 2130 m | 2320 y |
Par 27 | 1075 y | 1000 m | 1100 y |
The dimension of the new forward tee should measure at least 16 m2. It should be watered and flat. (A maximum slope of 1.5 % is allowed for drainage) and the turf should be maintained like any other tees.
The ball must be able to roll onto the greens on at least 50 % of the greens (for any holes above 80 yards). We need a 20 x 5 yards landing zone in front of the green and in the line of play.
Women should have the opportunity to use a toilet during their round between the 5th tee and the 15th tee. The toilet must be accessible by a maximum of 100 yards on foot or 150 yards by golf cart. It might be that the clubhouse will be in the range of one of the holes mentioned and it could also be a dry toilet.
4700 yards maximum for a par 72 (US, Asia, Australia, Africa, Middle East), measured from the middle of the tee to the middle of the green.
tableau
Forward tees must be at least 16m², flat with a maximum 1.5% slope for drainage, watered, and maintained like other tees.
At least 50% of greens (for holes over 80 yards) must allow a ball to roll onto them with a 20×5 yard landing zone in front.
dessin
Women should have access to a toilet between the 5th and 15th tees, within 100 yards on foot or 150 yards by golf cart.
Creation of a new forward tee on one or several holes to bring down the course to the desired distance.
Re-design one or more greens and surrounds (only if needed) in order to have a way to roll the ball onto the green.
Add toilets on the course if they are non-existent.
I definitely think so!
Throughout my years as a coach and a Pga professional, feedback from my gaming partners has varied. Only a few express themselves on the matter and some seem to accept their fate. However, most agree that the golf courses are much too long for the average female golfer, and that they would have a much more enjoyable experience with a shorter course.
I personally think that, becoming a senior and playing shorter courses, it has been a great relief for me. I am now confident that women would also benefit if their courses were shortened by 10% (about 500 yards or 27 yards per hole).
By adopting a women-friendly approach, golf courses can expect a significant increase in female golfers. For instance, a club with 300 members, of which only 47 are women (15.5%), could potentially attract 24 more women through this label. The presence of these women will likely draw in more men as well (sons, brothers, husbands, and singles). If 50% of these new female members bring along one male member, the club gains 12 additional men, resulting in a total of 36 new members. This would increase the club’s overall membership from 300 to 336 members, marking a 12% growth.
The WFGC label serves as an excellent communication tool for golf courses, helping them attract new members and visitors while improving their overall image. Courses with the label will gain visibility through the WFGC website, where listed courses will be showcased. Additionally, the dedicated YouTube channel, Women Friendly Golf Course, will feature videos linked to social networks, further enhancing exposure.
Courses that earn the WFGC label can freely use the WFGC logo on any promotional material. Two versions of the logo will be available for use. However, if a course no longer meets the required criteria, it will be removed from the WFGC list after regular checks.
1. Contact us via email at the following address:
womenfriendlygolfcourse@hotmail.com . We will send you our proposals.
2. Sign our contract
3. Meet all the criteria
To create a new tee at little cost, it is often possible to determine its location at the very beginning of the fairway. Simply create a platform so that you can take advantage of the present watering.
For aesthetic purposes, you could modify the fairway/rough boundary to accommodate the new tee (see drawing below).
You might need the advice of a golf course architect who will define the ideal location of new tees, taking into account distances from the surrounding environment and, most importantly, make the holes attractive.
Please note that toilets can be dry toilets. No plumbing is required. A small composter nearby will suffice. You can use this compost later on.
If you want to participate in our dance contest:
We will do a compilation posted on the WFGC Youtube channel. Show the world your best happy dance on a golf course with a golf club in hand to celebrate more women playing the game. It should last ideally between 6 to 15 seconds. Bonne chance !
The Women Friendly Golf Course (WFGC) label is a distinctive sign that a course is particularly suitable for women’s play. The label is designed to encourage more women to play at these designated courses, offering a more enjoyable golfing experience for them.
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