More women are trading dinner reservations and happy hours for evenings at the driving range. I’ve seen this shift firsthand as a golf instructor, an attendee at these events, and now as the host of women’s golf events. Here are a few observations about why golf is becoming the new girls’ night out, and why now is the perfect time to join. Trust me, there are more opportunities than ever before, with welcoming spaces for every skill level, and the door to the golf community is wide open.
A New Era of Women’s Golf
It’s no surprise that women flocked to golf during the shutdowns of 2020. Golf courses were among the few places that remained open, offering people a chance to get outside, stay active, and safely connect with others. Since then, women’s golf has continued to grow, and courses have evolved alongside it. Facilities are creating spaces that support far more than traditional rounds of golf, while women’s groups are meeting the demand with clinics, social events, and experiences that make the game more approachable than ever.
Once someone picks up the sport, the benefits of golf become obvious. It challenges both the mind and body while still leaving room for conversation. Between shots, there is time to laugh, exchange ideas, catch up, and build genuine relationships. At tournaments and networking events, those conversations often turn into friendships, mentorships, business collaborations, and new opportunities.
Confidence makes those moments even more meaningful. You don’t have to be an exceptional golfer, but understanding the basics allows you to focus on the people around you instead of worrying about every shot. A confident golfer is more present, and a present golfer enjoys the experience so much more.
Rediscovering the Game
I had to fall back in love with the game after feeling burned out from playing competitive golf in college. That changed when I was asked to assist with the marketing at Bellair Golf Park. The new owners envisioned a place where people could enjoy golf for its social benefits from morning to night. The driving range became the heart of that vision, creating an environment that felt welcoming and entertaining for golfers and non-golfers alike. Naturally, people who came for the atmosphere became curious about the game, and before long they wanted to improve their skills. Five years later, that momentum hasn’t slowed down.
Beginner clinics, evening socials, charity tournaments, and nine-hole leagues are making golf easier to try and more enjoyable to experience. The goal is no longer just to improve your swing. It’s to build confidence, relationships, and a sense of belonging. I embraced that mission and began incorporating more lifestyle experiences into the women’s clinics already taking place at Bellair Golf Park.
When Community Took Center Stage
In January 2026, we hosted our very first Putt & Pilates event with one goal: create a wellness experience that blended golf with activities women already loved. Within days, all 130 spots sold out. Guests were welcomed by a matcha cart, a coffee cart, fresh juices, permanent jewelry, women-owned businesses, and an atmosphere that felt more like a boutique wellness festival than a traditional golf clinic.
Friends took photos together before ever picking up a putter. Conversations began between complete strangers. By the end of the evening, women who had arrived knowing no one were exchanging phone numbers and making plans to play together again. It wasn’t just a golf event, it was the beginning of a community, with intentional time to connect, network, and build meaningful relationships.
More Than a Round of Golf
That evening reinforced something I’ve been noticing across Arizona: golf is evolving. While the sport has always been built on relationships, today’s experiences are making it more approachable, social, and welcoming than ever before. For many women, golf is no longer defined by committing five hours to an 18-hole round. It’s about spending a meaningful evening outdoors, trying something new, moving your body, and connecting with people who share similar interests.
The modern golf experience extends far beyond the first tee. Courses are partnering with wellness professionals, local businesses, fitness instructors, and lifestyle brands to create events that blend recreation with community. Pilates, yoga, recovery sessions, coffee tastings, fashion pop-ups, live music, and curated food experiences are becoming just as much a part of the evening as the golf itself.
The timing couldn’t be better. As more people look for ways to disconnect from their phones and spend time outdoors, golf naturally brings people together. Every shot creates a conversation. Every putting green becomes a place to meet someone new. Whether you’re celebrating a great putt or laughing over a missed one, the game has a unique way of breaking the ice.
An Invitation to Join
As both a golf instructor and someone who hosts women’s golf events, I’ve seen countless beginners arrive feeling intimidated. Almost every one of them worries they’ll slow someone down or won’t be “good enough.” Yet those fears usually disappear within the first hour, not because they’ve mastered the game, but because they realize everyone else is there for the same reason, to have fun, meet people, and try something new.
The Women’s Wildfire Kickoff at Wildfire Golf Club happens on August 28 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, is built around that same philosophy.
The evening will include yoga, EMS suit demonstrations from OHM Fitness, activities, a putting course, vendors, and a complimentary drink, while also launching a four-week clinic series for women who want to continue learning. You may leave with a better swing. More importantly, you may leave with new friends, new confidence, and a whole new idea of what girls’ night can look like.
Mariah Swigart is an Associate PGA Professional, author, and media host based in Phoenix. Through her company, Swigart Productions, she partners with businesses to develop marketing strategies, create visual content, and build authentic communities through storytelling and live experiences.
