Golf simulator encourages female talent

To get more women teeing off, the business offered free sessions to female volunteers from The Rockfield Centre as well as the Oban Ravens women’s squash team. Oban Lorne Ladies rugby team has been invited to try the simulator too.

There are many scenic golf courses on our doorstep, but membership figures at nearby clubs reveal a distinct lack of women and girls playing.

Glencruitten Golf Club has just under 400 members, of which 23 are female and at Taynuilt Golf Club only 39 out of 238 members are women or girls. 

Despite the low figures, golf clubs in the area have expressed a desire for more women and girls to get involved and seize opportunities on offer to develop their skills.

Glencruitten Golf Club said it intends to start running taster sessions aimed entirely at women who want to try golf, which would include a coffee in the clubhouse so they can view the facilities. 

The club has many opportunities for young girls, with junior coaching sessions for members on Sundays led by Sean Dunstaffnage. As well as its regular junior competitions in the summer, throughout each season there are also holiday sessions for pupils from Oban High School which are open to non-members. 

Christine Cameron, the club’s former female secretary, said: “Our youngest woman that’s playing in our ladies competition will be 30 this year, but we are all a bit older, in our 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s, so it would be really nice to get new blood in.”

At Dalmally Golf Club, a new committee has just taken over and the new secretary Inga MacGillivray explained that attracting female members is one of their top priorities

.

The club has an active women’s league, but Inga wants to create enjoyable ways for new players to get involved and is already thinking about potential events, such as glow in the dark night golf. 

She said: “We want to make the club more accessible to women and younger folk as well. Our mission this year is to have more fun and get member levels up.”

Taynuilt Golf Club holds their ladies competition on Tuesdays and during the season there is coaching for primary school children on a Thursday. Throughout the year, professional golfer Heather Macrae offers free training for under 16 members and paid one-to-one sessions for adults.

The club’s secretary, Marilyn Milne, said: “We would be keen to see ladies and girls joining the club. 

“We hold socials, we are a friendly club, we offer coaching, and it’s nine holes of golf so you’re not having to do 18 holes.”