Happy Women’s Golf Day! Here are 7 things to know about the global (and growing) event

Women’s Golf Day — yep, it’s today, June 4! — was launched to engage and empower women in golf, with the goal of introducing new female players to the sport and becoming, according to its website, “the largest single day celebration of women’s golf that the world has ever seen.” So far, so good. Here’s what you need to know about this still-new(ish) date on the golf calendar:

1. It began in 2016 
That’s when golf writer Elise Gaudet started the event on her own volition — a “passion project,” she told GOLF.com, designed to highlight women in golf and foster growth among females in a largely male-dominated sport.

2. It attracts all abilities of golfers
The day is a series of four-hour-long events strung out across the globe, all from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning in Australia and ending in Hawaii. The host locations — there have been 900 over the last three years — offer two hours of golf (nine holes, say, or lessons on a range) paired with two more hours of socializing. The late-afternoon-early-evening scheduling encourages participation from courses during a normally-slow time and also participation from women who either have limited availability or, in the case of novices, the inclination to play only a couple of hours of golf. “I don’t know if we found the secret sauce but we at least found a way that the market responded and they’re very excited to participate,” Gaudet says. To get involved, you can find a participating location near you here.

3. It’s growing
What started in 2016 as an idea from Gaudet has blossomed into a global platform. Over the past three years more than 50,000 women and girls have participated in Women’s Golf Day events. Those planning and promoting the 2019 event expect it to be the biggest year yet.

4. It spans more than 50 countries
Outside of the U.S., participating countries include (but are not limited to) Switzerland, Morocco, Italy, Poland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Hundreds of locations will serve as host sites, ranging from courses, to golf shops, to driving ranges.

5. It has attracted support from a 10-time major champion  
Legendary LPGA player Annika Sorenstam is partnering this year with Gaudet and the Women’s Golf Day team to help promote the 2019 event. “After I stepped away from competitive golf, I knew I wanted to share my passion for the game,” Sorenstam said. “While there’s still much work to be done, we’re making great strides toward bringing our great game to even more women around the globe.”

6. It has Topgolf’s backing, too 
In addition to hundreds of courses, all 37 TopGolf locations in the U.S. are holding events to celebrate the day. All locations will be hosting a free 60-minute class aimed at teaching the fundamentals of golf to players of all skill levels.

7. It’s open to anyone and everyone 
It’s not too late! You can still register to participate at womensgolfday.com. Some locations are free, others charge a small fee. If you can’t make it, follow along throughout the day on Twitter at @womensgolfday and use #WomensGolfDay to join the conversation.

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