Addressing the Gender Gap in Junior Golf in Sweden
Female participation in junior golf remains critically low in Sweden, with initiatives underway to address this disparity.
- • Only 11% of junior golfers in Sweden are girls.
- • The majority of new junior golfers are boys, raising sustainability concerns for the sport.
- • The environment of male-dominated golf culture impacts female interest.
- • Successful initiatives at clubs like Landeryds Golf are attracting more girls.
Key details
In Sweden, a strikingly low participation rate among female junior golfers—only 11% of the 82,000 registered players under 21—has raised alarms within the sport. Despite a surge in overall golf membership, which reached a record 564,874 players as of August 2025, the majority of new junior players are boys, prompting concerns from figures like Marcus Norman, the Swedish Golf Federation's sport director. He expressed that this disparity could jeopardize the sport’s future and the viability of national teams, as evidenced by only one girl having enough ranking points to compete internationally two years ago.
Norman attributes part of the issue to a prevailing perception among girls that golf is a 'very male-dominated' sport. This may discourage young girls from taking up the game, although he noted that the pandemic saw increased interest in golf from boys due to limited sporting options during lockdowns. Additionally, while golf has become more accessible due to modern dress codes and golf simulators, clubs still face challenges, particularly regarding their predominantly male cultures and coaching staff.
One notable success story is Landeryds Golf Club, which has effectively increased its female junior membership since 2019 by fostering a welcoming environment for girls. Promising athlete Meja Örtengren from Landeryds highlights the role of social connections and the necessity of female role models in sustaining girls' interest in golf. Örtengren advocates for broader investment opportunities in the sport to engage all girls, not just the highly skilled, to create a lasting interest in golf.