Golf has been a sport where community and networking thrive, yet historically, women, especially women of color, have faced barriers to entry. In recent years, with less than 1% of the world’s 67 million golfers being minority women, several organizations have emerged to make golf more inclusive and accessible for women from diverse backgrounds.

Here are five notable golf communities founded by women, each dedicated to empowering and connecting women through the game of golf.

1. City Girls Golf

Founder: Sierra Balgar

Location(s): DMV, New York, Florida

At just 27 years old, Sierra Balgar turned a personal passion into a movement. Growing up in Harlem, New York, in a home that blended Caribbean and American cultures, Sierra learned the power of resilience early on. When a friend introduced her to golf in her twenties, she fell in love with the sport, but quickly realized how few Black women were present on the course. Determined to change that, she founded City Girls Golf to create an inclusive space for women of color from urban backgrounds to learn, play, and grow through golf. Sierra used social media to launch what is now a thriving golf community.

2. Grls Who Golf

Founder: Alexis Nicole Howell

Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia

As the founder of Grls ATL, a social club for Black women in Atlanta, Alexis Nicole Howell is no stranger to building communities. What started as a local movement quickly expanded into major cities across the U.S., bringing women together through social events and community outreach initiatives. Now, Alexis is taking that same spirit of connection to the golf course. Grls Who Golf is a modern golf community designed to introduce more women of color to the game. Whether you’re a beginner picking up a club for the first time or a seasoned golfer looking for sisterhood on the green, GWG is a premier lifestyle community for young women in Atlanta.

3. Black Girls Golf

Founder: Tiffany Mack Fitzgerald

Location(s): Various locations across the United States

Black Girls Golf is the largest non-competitive golf organization for African American women and girls in the United States. When Tiffany Mack Fitzgerald first stepped onto a golf course with her male colleagues, she quickly realized that the game wasn’t designed with Black women in mind. The intimidation she felt that day could have stopped her, but instead, it fueled a mission. In 2013, she founded BGG to change the narrative and create a welcoming space for women of color in the sport. Tiffany’s book, Playing From The Rough, encapsulates the spirit of Black Girls Golf, encouraging Black women to not only take up golf but to conquer any space that once felt unwelcoming.

4. The Green’s Ladies Golf Club

Founder: Lorraine Sawyer

Location(s): Delaware Valley

The Green’s Ladies Golf Club is mentioned among organizations contributing to the legacy of Black women in golf. Founded on May 1, 1954, in West Philadelphia, The GLGC was born out of a vision to create a space where Black female golfers could not only play but also be recognized and respected within the broader golf community. Led by Lorraine Sawyer and a group of seven other women—Lillian Cherry, Gladys Gray, Alma Fay Horn, Opal Shields, Mary Frances Simpson, Lubertha Slocum, and Ann Wilson—The GLGC set out to inspire and empower Black women through the game of golf.

From its early days, the club established itself as a force in the golfing world, traveling along the East Coast to participate in tournaments and connect with other women who shared their passion for the sport. In 1955, The GLGC hosted its first tournament, marking a significant milestone in the club’s journey. For nearly seven decades, The GLGC has remained dedicated to community and sportsmanship. With a history deeply intertwined with the evolution of women’s golf, GLGC continues to pave the way for future generations to take their place with confidence and pride, and proudly stands as the oldest African American women’s golf club in the Delaware Valley.

5. Women of Color Golf

Founder: Clemmie Perry

Location(s): Tampa, Florida

Women of Color Golf was founded by Clemmie Perry in 2014 to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport of golf, offering events and programs aimed at introducing women of color to golf and leveraging the sport for personal and professional development.

After leaving a 25 year corporate career at Fortune 500 companies, Clemmie’s introduction to golf came through a conversation with her brother, a set of discarded golf clubs, and a gifted package of lessons. What started as personal curiosity quickly became a passion, but Clemmie soon realized that women of color were vastly underrepresented in the sport. WOCG, along with its youth-focused sister program, Girls on the Green Tee, provides women and girls of color with access to golf education, networking opportunities, and professional development. Through corporate partnerships, mentorship programs, and community outreach, the organization has introduced over 2,500 women and girls to the sport.