Winchburgh Niddry Castle Golf Club has more than doubled its number of female members in just three years. Their success is credited to two practical initiatives focused on getting women and girls comfortable with taking up golf for the first time.
The club started a beginner’s course called “Get Confident in the Basics for Women.” Eight editions of this program have run so far, with more than half of the participants choosing to continue as members. Since 2022, female membership has increased from 22 to 49.
Girls’ Golf Hub Sparks Youth Interest
Encouragement doesn’t end with adults. This year, the club joined Scottish Golf’s Girls’ Golf Hub programme, aimed at introducing golf to girls aged 7 to 16. Sixteen girls signed up in May. Thirteen have stayed on as regular members, now benefiting from ongoing coaching and a Golf Foundation scholarship.
The club’s Head Coach, John Pritchard, along with coach Willie White and PGA Professional Heather Macrae, lead the sessions. Scottish Golf believes this hands-on, welcoming approach could serve as a “blueprint” for other clubs hoping to broaden their membership and engage women and girls.
Winchburgh Developments Ltd. [WDL], who lease the course to the club, have supported the Junior Golf programme for many years. Penny Lochhead, WDL’s Community, Sport and Greenspace Manager, said of the new Girls’ Hub initiative:
“It’s inspiring to see so many women and girls enjoying golf at the club underlining their ethos and commitment to ‘golf for all’, demonstrating they are at the forefront of driving women’s and girls’ golf across Scotland. Well done to John and Willie and all involved.
“The club also became a charity recently, underlining their ‘community club’ ethos. We are delighted to support all they deliver for the community.”