The project, launched by The Women in Golf Awards in collaboration with 59club, will run over the next five years and is open to men and women in any sector of the golf industry and at any stage of their careers.<\/p>\n
It will harness 59club\u2019s advanced survey software, analytics and training provision to deliver a clear picture of women\u2019s experiences in golf \u2013 from opportunities and challenges to aspirations and leadership pathways.<\/p>\n
More than 300 women have signed up already and, following an initial Getting to Know You survey, the project will subsequently consist of two ten-minute questionnaires each year.<\/p>\n
While it is focusing on the experiences of women, the involvement of men in the project is also vital, with Wheatley explaining: \u201cMen\u2019s involvement is paramount to the success of all of our projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike everything we do, the Fairways Project is for the wider golf community. We want to improve the industry\u2019s culture, help companies make better provision for women and understand how to hire and retain female talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo do that, men\u2019s and women\u2019s experiences need to lead the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
NOW LISTEN TO THE NCG GOLF PODCAST<\/p>\n
ALSO AVAILABLE ON:<\/p>\n
Apple Podcasts:\u00a0Listen Now<\/a><\/p>\n Spotify:\u00a0Listen Now<\/a><\/p>\n Amazon Music:\u00a0Listen Now<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to make golf clubs more inclusive<\/p>\n But asked on the podcast what a genuinely inclusive golf club looked like in practice, she said: \u201cIf I owned a golf club, the first thing I would have is childcare. I\u2019d have a nursery just within the golf club \u2013 not necessarily for golf club members.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to repeat myself<\/a>, but if a golf club has a nursery you\u2019re automatically attracting families to the venue.<\/p>\n \u201cForget the golf club. You\u2019re getting them down the drive. They\u2019re bringing their children. When they\u2019re there, they might be like, \u2018this isn\u2019t what I expected. I might go and have a coffee\u2019. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey go and have a coffee, and then dad comes to pick the kids up and he\u2019s like, \u2018Oh, they\u2019ve got a driving range. I could go and have a hit on the driving range while Joey\u2019s in childcare\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cThat changes everything. It fundamentally does and it doesn\u2019t detract from what the golf club offers. I\u2019m not asking you to add padel. I\u2019m not asking you to add anything else.<\/p>\n \u201cI want it to be a golf club. I want it to be a community venue. I want the staff to reflect the diverse nature of the people who live around you.<\/p>\n \u201cI really think golf club staff should look like the people who live and work in the area because, ultimately, we need to be more diverse.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to reflect the communities we serve. I think if you can do those two things it would totally change the make-up of a golf club.\u201d<\/p>\n To find out more, and for a chance to take part in the Fairways Project, register your interest at womeningolfawards.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Now have your say on the Fairways Project<\/p>\n![\"Fairways](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_285341859-1024x683.jpeg\")
Group of friends out playing golf together | Source: Adobe Stock<\/p>\n