For many women, the idea of a golf trip can
feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. It’s long been framed as a tradition reserved for men—competitive, structured, and, at times, intimidating. But that narrative is shifting. More women are organizing their own golf getaways, redefining what those trips look like, and discovering that the hardest part is simply saying yes.
For Renee Sarb, that realization has become something of a mission. “The hardest part for them is showing up and just saying yes,” she explains. “And once they get there, they’re like, ‘Oh, this is so much fun.’”
Sarb recently organized a trip for a group of nine women to Forest Dunes Golf Club, many of whom had never experienced a golf getaway before. What they found wasn’t pressure or perfection, but something far more meaningful: connection, confidence, and a shared sense of discovery.
Breaking the Intimidation Barrier
Golf can be daunting. The rules, the etiquette, the pace—layered on top of a sport historically dominated by men—can make newcomers feel like outsiders before they even arrive.
Sarb understands that hesitation firsthand. It’s why she built her local women’s golf league around accessibility rather than ability. “I always tell women, if you are a very serious golfer, this league is not for you,” she says. “We play scramble, we don’t even keep score—it’s very, very casual.”
That same philosophy carried over to the trip. There were no expectations around performance, no pressure to keep up, and no judgment when things didn’t go as planned. “We don’t really mind,” she says. “If you didn’t hit it well and you want to move on, that’s fine. We just want to enjoy the day. Nobody’s throwing their golf club here.”
That mindset is key to making these trips approachable. By removing the competitive edge, the experience becomes less about skill level and more about participation—opening the door for women who might otherwise never consider it.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF GOLF EXPERIENCE
Forest Dunes delivers a golf experience that is both high-quality and refreshingly accessible. Its variety allows players to engage with the game on their own terms—whether that means testing their skills or simply enjoying time outdoors.
The Loop, one of the resort’s signature courses, stood out for its uniqueness. “I’ve never played a loop course like that,” Sarb said. “The way you could play it two different ways…that was really interesting.”
But it was the Bootlegger short course that truly captured the spirit of the trip. “We’re walking barefoot, there are drink stands on each hole, and the vibes were just really, really fun,” she shared.
For many in the group, this was their first exposure to a destination golf experience. And instead of feeling overwhelmed, they felt welcomed. “Everyone on the staff was so kind and welcoming,” Sarb notes. “That goes a long way, especially if it’s something you’ve never done before.”
What stood out most was the attention to detail across the resort. “You can just tell they really have the resources to keep their place nice,” Sarb noted. “Even the bathrooms on the course were nice… that’s unheard of!”
MORE THAN JUST A WEEKEND AWAY
What surprised Sarb most wasn’t how much fun they had—it was how quickly the experience deepened relationships within the group. “I definitely think it created a certain type of bond,” she says. “We went on this trip together, and we’re still talking about it.”
It also challenged long-held assumptions about what women’s trips are supposed to be.“We get targeted for spa trips or relaxation,” Sarb says. “And I love those—but it’s nice to do these activities as well.”
There’s something about stepping outside of routine—trying something new, navigating it together—that accelerates connection. For these women, the golf course became a backdrop for something larger: shared memories, inside jokes, and a sense of collective accomplishment.
WHY NOT US?
Perhaps the most important shift is psychological. For decades, golf trips have been marketed—and normalized—as a male experience. But as more women take the initiative to organize their own, that perception is beginning to change.
“Why does my husband get to go on a golf trip?” Sarb says. “I want to go spend time outside with my girlfriends, too. Why not us?”
It’s a simple question, but one that resonates. And increasingly, more women are answering it with action. “That’s the goal,” Sarb says. “That other women can think, ‘Well, I can do this too.’”
TAKING THE FIRST STEP
For those considering their own trip, Sarb’s advice is practical: start early, keep expectations flexible, and focus on the group dynamic rather than the golf itself. “If you’re with the right group of people, you won’t feel intimidated,” she says. It’s a reminder that the success of a trip isn’t measured by scores or swing mechanics, but by how comfortable—and included—everyone feels.
Because in the end, the real takeaway isn’t about the destination or even the game. It’s about what happens when women give themselves permission to try something new. And more often than not, that first step leads to something bigger: a tradition in the making, and a growing movement that’s reshaping the culture of golf—one trip at a time.