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. 🤩

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If you want to know more…

The women’s game:
Facts and findings

  • In 2023, 45 million Americans played golf, of which only 7 million were women, or 15.5%.
    (Source: NGF. Org – National Golf Foundation)
  • Based on USGA (United State Golf Association) and a statistic dated 22/02/2024, The average index for female golfers is 28.
  • The driving distance of women with index between 21 and 28 is 141.5 yards (Carry + roll).
  • For women with an index above 28, their distance is on average 119.8 yards.
  • If we analyze the game of an average American golfer, index 28, we get 130 yards (carry + roll).
  • The average American female golfer, index 28, will drive around 130 yards (110 yards carry and 20 yards roll).
  • CONCLUSIONS: Drive = 110y carry + 20 yards roll
  • Average golf course length: Back-tee 6518 yards – Front tee 4952 yards
    (Source : USGA Green Section, vol 60,issue 16).
  • The average American female golfer, index 28, has a low club speed combined with a low trajectory with very little spin. The combination of both makes it very difficult for them to stop the ball on the green.
  • Here are the distances (carry distances) an average women would reach with these clubs:

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

  • “I have played over 300 rounds with ladies, as their teachers or during Pro-ams. Most courses are way too long for them to fully enjoy it.
    They would hit on average a 3 Wood or a driver on a par 3 (123 yards on average).
    A Driver + 5 wood + 9 iron on a par 4 (306 yards on average).
    A Driver + 5 wood + 5 wood + PW on a par 5 (415 yards on average)”.

    Nicolas Joakimides. Founder of WFGC, PGA Professional and golf architect.

  • “ We should start building tees under 5000 yards…”
    Tom Doak (little red book of golf architecture)

  • “A forward tee that is Closer to 4000 yards than 5000 is a better fit “
    (USGA , Green Section Record, vol 61, issue 6)
  • In 2023, 45 million Americans played golf, of which only 7 million were women, or 15.5%.
    (Source: NGF. Org – National Golf Foundation)
  • Based on USGA (United State Golf Association) and a statistic dated 22/02/2024, The average index for female golfers is 28.
  • The driving distance of women with index between 21 and 28 is 141.5 yards (Carry + roll).
  • For women with an index above 28, their distance is on average 119.8 yards.
  • If we analyze the game of an average American golfer, index 28, we get 130 yards (carry + roll).
  • The average American female golfer, index 28, will drive around 130 yards (110 yards carry and 20 yards roll).
  • CONCLUSIONS: Drive = 110y carry + 20 yards roll
  • Average golf course length: Back-tee 6518 yards – Front tee 4952 yards
    (Source : USGA Green Section, vol 60,issue 16).
  • The average American female golfer, index 28, has a low club speed combined with a low trajectory with very little spin. The combination of both makes it very difficult for them to stop the ball on the green.
  • Here are the distances (carry distances) an average women would reach with these clubs:

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

  • “I have played over 300 rounds with ladies, as their teachers or during Pro-ams. Most courses are way too long for them to fully enjoy it.
    They would hit on average a 3 Wood or a driver on a par 3 (123 yards on average).
    A Driver + 5 wood + 9 iron on a par 4 (306 yards on average).
    A Driver + 5 wood + 5 wood + PW on a par 5 (415 yards on average)”.

    Nicolas Joakimides. Founder of WFGC, PGA Professional and golf architect.

  • “ We should start building tees under 5000 yards…”
    Tom Doak (little red book of golf architecture)

  • “A forward tee that is Closer to 4000 yards than 5000 is a better fit “
    (USGA , Green Section Record, vol 61, issue 6)

What would be considered a Women Friendly golf course?

1. Manageable Course Length

A course of maximum 4700 yards or less.

2. Approachable Greens

Greens should allow run-up shots, as women often struggle to hold the ball on the green.

3. Convenient Facilities

They should have the opportunity to use toilets on the course.

Exact criteria to qualify as a
“Woman friendly golf course”

Criteria 1
Course Length Limit

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.

Golf Course Par Table
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
Criteria 2
Tee Size & Condition

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.

Criteria 3
Greens Accessibility

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.

Criteria 4
Toilet Access

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.

Course Length Limit

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

Tee Size & Condition

Forward tees must be at least 16m², flat with a maximum 1.5% slope for drainage, watered, and maintained like other tees.

Greens Accessibility

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

Toilet Access

Women should have access to a toilet between the 5th and 15th tees, within 100 yards on foot or 150 yards by golf cart.

Our solutions

New Forward Tees

Creation of a new forward tee on one or several holes to bring down the course to the desired distance.

Green Adjustments

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 Course Facilities

Add toilets on the course if they are non-existent.

Are women struggling in the current situation?

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).

What value does this label add to your golf course?

01.

Growth Potential for Golf Clubs

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.

02.

Marketing and Visibility Benefits

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.

03.

Logo Usage and Criteria Compliance

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.

Which courses are already Women friendly golf courses?

What is the process to become a “Women Friendly golf course”

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

Our top tips

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.

About us

Nicolas Joakimides

Founder

Emmanuel Darfour

Partner

Manon Zurich

Partner

Antoine Joakimides

Partner

Contact us

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 !