Women’s golf isn’t just growing. It’s booming.
According to the National Golf Foundation’s 2026 report, The Record Rise of Female Golf, more than 8.1 million women and girls played on-course golf in 2025, the highest total ever recorded. Since 2020, female participation has increased by 45%, representing a net gain of 2.5 million golfers. Even more impressive, women and girls accounted for 52% of all net participation growth in golf over that six-year period. Today, they make up 28% of all on-course golfers, another record high.
Those numbers speak for themselves. More women are playing golf than ever before. The more interesting question is what happens next.
How do we sustain that growth? What is attracting women to the game? And perhaps most interestingly, does the golf industry need to rethink how it approaches equipment for female golfers?
To better understand those questions, THP spoke with Stephanie Luttrell, Senior Director of Metalwood Development at Titleist and one of the most respected engineers in the golf equipment industry. The conversation covered everything from participation trends to product development, and it challenged a few assumptions along the way.
Editor’s Note: Participation statistics referenced throughout this article are from the National Golf Foundation’s 2026 report, “The Record Rise of Female Golf.” Commentary on equipment philosophy and product development comes from an exclusive interview conducted by THP with Stephanie Luttrell, Senior Director of Metalwood Development at Titleist.
What’s Driving the Growth?
When asked why more women are taking up the game, Luttrell didn’t point to equipment, instruction or social media. Instead, she pointed to community.
“Women tend to be community-oriented and relationship-oriented. We’ve seen more women’s golf leagues and clinics pop up. The opportunity to connect with friends and spend time together through golf has been very appealing.”
It’s hard to argue with that assessment. Golf offers something increasingly rare in modern life. Time outdoors. Face-to-face interaction. A challenge that can be enjoyed casually or pursued competitively. Whether it’s a weekly nine-hole league, a beginner clinic or a Saturday morning round with friends, the game creates opportunities for connection.
The National Golf Foundation’s research supports that belief. Its 2026 report found that women are not only showing up in greater numbers on golf courses but are also heavily represented in off-course participation through driving ranges, simulators and entertainment venues. Those entry points continue to introduce new players to the game while lowering some of the traditional barriers to entry.
Luttrell also pointed to increased visibility at the highest levels of the sport.
“We’re seeing growth in women’s college golf and greater visibility for the LPGA Tour. Players like Nelly Korda are attracting attention not only from fans but from PGA Tour players who openly talk about and respect her talent. That visibility matters.”
For years, the industry has talked about growing the game. The recent surge in women’s participation suggests that growth is already happening. The challenge now is keeping it going.
Does Women’s Golf Need Different Golf Clubs?
Historically, golf companies approached women differently than men. Women’s clubs were often lighter, shorter, softer, and frequently accompanied by a color palette and name designed to make it obvious who they were intended for.
In some ways, there was even the perception that these clubs were closer to “box set clubs” than the high-performance options we see on the racks at golf stores. That approach still exists in parts of the industry. At Titleist, however, the philosophy is different.
“One of my mantras has always been that the golf club doesn’t know your gender.”
Luttrell explained that Titleist focuses on performance characteristics rather than gender categories. While many female golfers may fall into moderate swing speed ranges and benefit from products that help increase launch and spin, those same performance needs exist across the entire golfing population.
In other words, a golfer who needs more launch is a golfer who needs more launch, and gender isn’t necessarily the deciding factor.
That philosophy helps explain why Titleist doesn’t offer a dedicated women’s equipment line. Instead, the company builds products around specific performance goals and uses fitting to determine what works best for each golfer.
When asked whether there is a misconception that women require fundamentally different technology, Luttrell largely agreed.
“I think, fundamentally, female golfers don’t necessarily need something uniquely different from what other golfers need. It’s more about making sure we have the right performance options available.”
The more women enter the game, the harder it becomes to place them into a single category. Some are beginners. Some are scratch golfers. Some swing 65 miles per hour. Others compete professionally.
Treating all those golfers the same doesn’t make much sense. Neither does assuming they all need the same equipment.
The Industry Is Changing Too
The growth of women’s golf isn’t only happening among players. It’s happening inside the industry as well. When asked whether she is seeing more women enter engineering, fitting, product design, and research roles, Luttrell was optimistic.
“There is a growing group of women who love golf and are pursuing careers in engineering, mathematics, and data analytics. I absolutely think we’ll continue to see growth.”
Her own experience reflects that change. Luttrell described how seeing female engineering students during her college years helped shape her own path. Today, she makes a point of speaking with female student-athletes pursuing STEM degrees, hoping to provide that same example for the next generation.
The numbers at Titleist show promise. Luttrell noted that the company’s R&D department includes four female engineers and a female engineering intern currently working within the group.
And as more women enter engineering, design, fitting and leadership roles throughout the golf industry, it stands to reason that the products, experiences and opportunities available to golfers will continue to evolve as well.
What Happens Next in Women’s Golf?
Participation numbers suggest women’s golf has moved well beyond being a niche growth story. The question now is whether the industry continues to evolve alongside it.
If Luttrell’s outlook is any indication, the future may involve fewer discussions about “women’s equipment” and more conversations about fitting, performance and individual player needs.
After all, if the goal is helping golfers play better golf, perhaps the best place to start isn’t with gender.
It’s with the golfer standing in front of you.
