This content was created by Girlboss in partnership with LPGA.
To say women are “having a moment” in the world of sports right now is an understatement. Women are dominating sports, bagging sponsorships and brand deals, driving up viewership, and securing the financial investment they deserve. The latest sport that’s swinging in hot? Women’s golf—and the record-breaking stats prove it.
In July 2023, women’s pro golf made headlines when more than 600,000 monthly viewers tuned in to the Ladies’ Pro Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. That same year, sponsorships lifted to an epic $11.5 million per week, up from $4 million in 2022.
The 2024 season also smashed records left and right. American golfer Nelly Korda won five of six titles in a row—a feat achieved only twice in LPGA history. At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko took home a gold medal, becoming the youngest player to be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. And the ultimate crossover took to the green last November when WNBA star Caitlin Clark made a buzzy appearance teeing off at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, drawing even more eyes to the sport.
“Today, the LPGA has transformed professional golf, offering more tournaments, larger purses, and broader visibility,” says Nancy Henderson, President and Chief Training Officer of the LPGA Foundation, which supports junior golf programs, scholarships, and financial assistance for women and girls in golf.
This year alone is set to be a milestone moment as the LPGA—the longest-running women’s professional sports organization—tees off for its 75th anniversary season. Players will be competing for the largest total prize fund in the Tour’s history, at over $131 million (up 90% in just four years!).
Needless to say, women’s golf is leading the charge and the momentum is trickling into other levels of the sport as well. Since its inception in 1989, the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program has grown from 5,000 girls across 170 sites to more than 220,000 young athletes around 700 sites around the world today. Game-changing, right?
Leadership, too, has evolved, says Henderson. “Where I once faced skepticism, women now thrive as coaches, managers, and executives.”
It’s true! Nearly 2,000 LPGA Professionals teach and coach over two million athletes. And the cherry on top? According to the National Golf Foundation’s 2024 Graffis Report, women comprise 33% of 45 million US golfers—that’s over 14 million women! Further proof that we are truly driving the sport. “Women aren’t just playing more,” says Henderson. “We are shaping golf’s future.”
Here, we chat with Henderson and LPGA professional golfer Gaby López (pictured)—who has three Tour career wins under her belt, nbd—about smashing stereotypes, the growth of the game, and what the future holds for women’s golf.
How have opportunities for women in golf evolved over the years?
Gaby López: “They’ve grown a lot. Companies are stepping up for women, there are better opportunities for prize money, and it’s also on TV. People are realizing how talented women are.”
What are the biggest barriers for women in professional golf today?
Nancy Henderson: “Despite gains, limited media coverage hampers visibility while prize money, though improved, still lags men’s tours, straining players’ careers and deterring young talent. These are hurdles charging us to lift the women’s game higher.”
GL: “We are seen as a weight holding back men’s professional golf, and I feel it’s a misunderstanding. As a society, we have to take both sides—the women’s and men’s game—to be equally as important to inspire the next generation of kids.”
What does it take to succeed as a pro golfer?
GL: “Hard work, discipline, passion, and love for the game. But to be able to compete at the highest level right now, you need a full professional team around you; people that are looking out for you technically, mentally, and emotionally, which is costly.”
Do you think golf is still considered an “old boys’ club?”
GL: “I don’t think so. Right now, women are showing how good they are, and the influence we have in the sports world is huge. Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko are the perfect examples of how dominating a woman golfer can be—we just need a stage.”
NH: “Golf’s ‘old boys’ club’ reputation is waning, driven by women and girls fueling the game’s growth. Though PGA of America members outnumber LPGA Professionals (30,000 vs. 2,000), the latter’s impact is profound: 40% of juniors are girls. Scholarships and mentorship from women coaches and leaders show girls they belong, countering stereotypes with role models who redefine the game.”
What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to go pro?
GL: “Think and act like a professional golfer already. The only difference between amateurs and professionals is the commitment, the purpose, being present, and daily practice.”
NH: “Growing up idolizing Nancy Lopez, I dreamed of becoming a pro, but my passion reached beyond the leaderboard. Young girls can let that same fire drive them through competition’s challenges, chasing their big dreams with the education that sharpens their skills, builds fitness, and strengthens their mental resilience. Going pro is bold, but shaping golf’s future isn’t limited to playing.”
Where do you think the future of women’s golf is headed? What changes would you like to see?
GL: “I see it right next to men’s golf on the same stage: on the same courses, at the same time, with the same prime TV hours, with the same prize money. Our careers are way shorter and we make what feels like 10% of what they do, financially. Men can play for over 25 years, while ours are 10 to 15 years long due to maternity and other reasons.”
NH: “Women’s golf is poised for a future defined by inclusivity and empowerment. Women’s tours will rival men’s tours with equitable resources, ensuring young girls have every tool to chase their dreams on fair terms. Beyond the fairways, women’s golf can lead a cultural shift, shedding its ‘elite’ label to welcome all. Young girls should see a game shaped by women in leadership like executives, course designers, and decision-makers who reflect their voices and values. This vision requires bold action, and the LPGA Foundation is committed to driving it forward with collective support.”
Want to learn more about the game-changing swings LPGA is making in women’s golf? Check out LPGA’s 75th anniversary season schedule here.
