Women are driving golf’s growth: here’s what they want from golf travel

Golfbreaks and Golfshake surveyed UK golfers to understand how different demographics approach golf travel. The findings show that female golfers place greater emphasis on accommodation quality, value for money, and relaxed social experiences than any other segment.

Female participation now accounts for nearly 60% of golf’s net growth since 2019, reshaping not only who is playing the game, but how people want to experience it away from home. From complete beginners to lifelong golfers, women are becoming one of the most important growth audiences in the sport.

Yet while participation continues to rise, women’s preferences, motivations and travel behaviours are still often underrepresented in golf marketing and trip design.

To better understand what golfers actually value from a golf holiday, Golfbreaks surveyed 2500 golfers in early 2026, of which 8% were women, ranging from complete beginners to highly experienced players. The findings revealed not just how women want to travel, but how they may be reshaping the future of golf holidays altogether.

Understanding female golf travellers is central to where the game and the golf travel industry go next.

• 67% of female golfers ranked hotel quality among their top three booking priorities, compared with 59% of men.
• 72% of women said they prefer travelling with friends or family, while only 2.6% favour competition-focused trips.
• Female golfers place greater emphasis on value for money, resort-style destinations and relaxed social experiences than traditional golf-only holidays.
• Many women described their favourite golf holidays as being about "great atmosphere", "beautiful scenery", "relaxing" and "time with friends and family".
• Women represent a broad mix of complete beginners and lifelong golfers, highlighting both growing participation and long-term engagement.

One of the clearest findings from the survey was the breadth of experience levels among female golfers.

While 59 respondents had been playing golf for more than 20 years, 50 had been playing for less than a year. The contrast highlights two important trends happening at once: women are entering the game in significant numbers, and they are also staying engaged with golf long term.

Their comments show that memorable golf travel is not limited to one type of player or one stage of the golfing journey. An experienced golfer recalled travelling to St Andrews with her golf club and described the trip as “fantastic”, adding that “the golf and company was great”. At the other end of the spectrum, a newer golfer remembered a family break where “I did my thing, my family did theirs [and] we spent happy time together”.

There is now a growing mix of beginners discovering the game, experienced golfers already comfortable travelling for golf, and friendship groups forming around the sport. Golf holidays are increasingly becoming part of the wider golfing experience for women, whether that means a first trip abroad with friends or a long-awaited bucket-list getaway.

The findings suggest women’s golf is not simply growing in volume. It is developing depth and creating a more social, connected and experience-led audience along the way.

Perhaps the strongest trend from the survey was the role social connection plays in women’s golf travel.

When asked about their ideal golf trip, 72% of female golfers said they preferred travelling with friends or family, while just 2.6% favoured competition-focused trips. Male golfers were marginally more likely to choose a competition-focused trip, with 3.0% selecting organised events or competitive experiences.

For many women, a golf holiday is about far more than the scorecard. It is a chance to spend quality time with friends and family, discover new destinations and enjoy memorable experiences both on and off the course.

For many female golfers, golf is central to the trip, but not the entirety of it.

One golfer described her favourite trip simply as “Southport, two great courses with great friends”, while another chose Turkey because of its “good courses, weather and spending time with family”.

For many women, a golf holiday is about far more than the scorecard. It is an opportunity to spend quality time with people they care about, discover somewhere new and enjoy memorable experiences both on and off the course.

This was reflected in descriptions such as “great scenery”, “beautiful hotels”, “fabulous food”, “friendly locals” and “spectacular courses”. These responses suggest that the strongest memories often come from the combination of golf, place and people rather than from the course alone.

The findings also suggest that golf travel is becoming more experience-led overall. Traditionally, golf holidays have often been marketed around iconic courses, prestige and competitive challenge. But many women appear to place just as much value on how a trip feels as where they play.

That shift opens the door to a broader style of golf holiday, one that blends great golf with luxury, culture, relaxation and shared experiences.

The survey responses also pointed towards a noticeable preference for destinations that offer more than just great golf.

Respondents’ descriptions repeatedly connected destinations with accommodation, scenery, food, welcome and activities away from the course.

One woman described a trip to Devon and Norfolk as memorable because “the weather was lovely, courses were challenging but enjoyable, the facilities were great and the food was really good, with choice for a vegetarian”.

Another chose Bruges because it offered “a good selection of courses and accommodation, with great sightseeing”. Mauritius was described as “magical”, with “good food and [a] lovely hotel and beach”, while Costa Navarino was praised for its “brilliant courses” and “great hotels”.

Many of the most-mentioned destinations offered a complete holiday experience, not simply a golfing one.

Even bucket-list golfing locations such as Augusta, Pebble Beach and St Andrews were often described in terms of atmosphere, scenery and who respondents wanted to share the experience with, rather than solely the prestige of the courses themselves.

These comments suggest that destination appeal is shaped by the complete experience: the quality of the golf, the accommodation, ease and comfort, local character, food, scenery and the people sharing the trip.

Broadly speaking, the responses suggested that many women approach golf travel slightly differently. Traditionally, golf travel has often focused on ticking famous courses off a list. Female respondents appeared more interested in destinations where they could enjoy the overall experience as much as the golf itself.

That reflects a wider shift in how golf holidays are being viewed. Increasingly, they are becoming about connection, discovery and creating lasting memories alongside the game.

The survey suggests that many women see golf holidays as much more than the golf itself. Quality accommodation, good value for money and time spent with friends and family all play an important role in creating a memorable trip. While every golfer is different, planning around the wider experience, not just the courses, can help make a golf holiday one to remember.

Booking tips

Based on the survey findings, the Golfbreaks team recommends:

• Choose a destination that offers more than just great golf. Look for quality accommodation, good food, relaxing surroundings and activities away from the course to create a well-rounded holiday.
• Travel with people who share your expectations. Whether you're planning a girls' getaway, a couples' break or a family holiday, choosing the right group can be just as important as choosing the right destination.
• Think about golfers of different abilities. Resort destinations with a mix of championship and more forgiving courses can help ensure everyone enjoys the trip.
• Don't overlook value for money. The survey found this was the most important booking factor for women, so consider packages that combine quality golf, accommodation and added extras.
• If it's your first golf holiday, consider a hosted women's golf event or organised group trip. They provide a welcoming environment, take the stress out of planning and are a great way to meet like-minded golfers.

After speaking with Dolores Brown, one of the founders of the Women In Golf Initiatives at Golfbreaks, she suggested key points the golf travel industry should take from this.

The findings suggest that women are not looking for a different version of golf travel. Instead, they are helping redefine what makes a great golf holiday. While quality golf remains at the heart of the experience, female golfers place equal value on the wider elements of a trip: the destination, the atmosphere, opportunities to socialise, and the chance to create memorable experiences both on and off the course.

For golf resorts, tour operators and the wider industry, this presents a significant opportunity. As more women enter the game, destinations that offer welcoming environments, flexible experiences and a strong sense of community will be best placed to attract and retain female golfers. Investing in inclusivity, showcasing diverse groups of golfers in marketing, creating more beginner-friendly opportunities and recognising the importance of the full travel experience will all play a role in supporting the continued growth of the women's game.

Although this survey represents a relatively small sample of 191 female golfers, it offers an encouraging glimpse into the evolution of women's golf travel while also highlighting how far there is still to go. Women accounted for just 8% of our total survey responses, a reminder that female golfers remain underrepresented across both golf and golf travel.

At Golfbreaks, we see that as an opportunity and a responsibility. As signatories of the R&A Women in Golf Charter, we are committed to helping create a more inclusive future for the game by encouraging more women to discover golf travel, building confidence through shared experiences, and creating welcoming spaces where female golfers can connect, learn and thrive.

Through our growing programme of women-focused events, hosted trips and community initiatives, our ambition is not only to become the leading golf tour operator for female golfers in the UK, but to play an active role in growing participation and removing barriers for future generations of women in golf.

Our hope is that, in the years ahead, more women will discover the enjoyment, friendship and sense of belonging that golf travel can provide.

If you’re feeling inspired to experience golf travel for yourself, there’s never been a better time to get involved. Our women’s golf events and holidays are designed to bring golfers together through unforgettable destinations, great courses and shared experiences on and off the fairways.

You can also read more about our 2025 and 2026 women’s golf events and meet the team of women at Golfbreaks who are passionate about helping grow the game and breaking down barriers within golf travel for future generations of female golfers.

What do women look for in a golf holiday?

Our survey found that women are more likely to prioritise quality accommodation, value for money, opportunities to travel with friends or family, and destinations that offer memorable experiences beyond the golf course.

Which golf destinations are most popular among women golfers?

Among the women surveyed, South Africa was the most frequently mentioned dream destination, followed by Mauritius and the USA. These destinations combine world-class golf with luxury resorts, scenery and wider travel experiences.

Are women-only golf holidays suitable for beginners?

Yes. Many Golfbreaks women's events and hosted trips are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, making them ideal for newer golfers looking to travel with confidence and meet other women who enjoy the game.

Why are more women taking up golf?

Women's participation has driven nearly 60% of golf's net growth since 2019. Flexible formats, social experiences and greater accessibility have all contributed to making the game more appealing to new audiences.