A commitment to a more inclusive culture within golf

We, Harwood GC, call on everyone involved in golf to play their part in developing a culture that values women’s involvement in every aspect of the sport, from participating to pursuing a career.

• Our aim is to increase the number of women and girls playing and working in golf.
• To achieve this goal and to enable women to flourish throughout golf, we recognise the need for a fundamental shift in culture. There is a clear ethical need for change and the potential economic benefits of growing the sport through more women and girls playing are substantial.
• The R&A commits to playing a leading role in this process and to working with affiliates, partners and the wider golf industry towards achieving this goal.
• In signing this Charter, we Harwood GC commit to making tangible efforts to develop a welcoming and inspiring environment for women. We will do more to attract women into golf, to remain, and to have rewarding careers.

The Charter:

• Is a statement of intent from the golf industry and Harwood GC, to unite and to focus gender balance at all levels
• Commits us all to supporting measures to increase the number of women, girls and families playing golf
• Calls for positive action to encourage women to pursue careers in all areas of the sport
• Recognises the need for change that creates an inclusive environment within golf and our golf club

Signatories commit to activate this Charter by:

• Developing and implementing an internal strategy for enhancing gender balance at every level
• Establishing senior management responsibility and accountability for gender balance and inclusion, which is discussed and reviewed at committee/board level with Harwood GC
• Strongly advocating more women and girls playing and working in golf.
• Working with key stakeholders to develop and embed a more inclusive culture.
• Promoting the Charter and our goal of encouraging more women and girls to play golf and work in golf.

How we at Harwood GC Plan to achieve this

• By achieving an increased female representation on our Club Management Committee and sub committees by actively promoting positions linked to appropriate role descriptors that are not gender specific
• By promoting inclusion to the local and wider community via the club website, social media platforms and local community groups
• By working towards achieving a more proportionate representation of playing females in our club membership (currently 8%)
• By delivering an established recruitment programme, including free taster days and temporary membership offers in conjunction with group coaching and loan of equipment
• By offering a pathway into membership through temporary membership, and by promoting family involvement ie junior girls and their Mums
• By encouraging involvement in the workings of the ladies’ section committee by newer lady members
• By working towards the SafeGolf award
• Appoint a designated Charter Champion within the club who can assist with the promotion and reporting of the charter