The Fairways Project is a global study focusing on women’s experiences in the game. Here is why it is vital you get involved…
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
What do women really experience in the golf industry? A new global study aims to reveal all.
The Fairways Project, launched by the Women in Golf Awards in collaboration with 59club, will run over the next five years and is open to men and women in any sector of the game and at any stage of their careers.
It will harness 59club’s advanced survey software, analytics and training provision to deliver a clear picture of women’s experiences in golf – from opportunities and challenges to aspirations and leadership pathways.
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“This will basically track the progression of women working in the golf industry for the next five years,” said Women in Golf Awards founder Nicole Wheatley.
“We’re going to follow them and their experiences and also ask men what their experiences are of working with women in the golf industry as well.
“What I’ve discovered in my career is a lot of situations that I’ve found myself in, the men around me are quite shocked by behaviour or shocked by the experiences that they see me go through. So having a man’s perspective as part of that project is really important.”
More than 300 women have signed up already and, following an initial ‘Getting to Know You’ survey, the project will subsequently consist of two ten-minute questionnaires each year in what is one of the largest research studies of its kind.
“We’re really right at the initial stage,” Wheatley added. “At the moment, we’re collecting data. So we’re asking people to sign up to the survey. The first they will get… will be to benchmark people and data and also identify how many gaps we might have.”
She continued: “It’s only going to be 10 minutes [each time]. We know people don’t have enough time in their lives so we’re asking for 20 minutes a year, basically for the next five years, and it will cover a broad range of topics – everything from the dreaded menopause through to the experience of working in the office, whether you’ve had education, or whether you want education.”
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Wheatley added the Project also wanted participants to drive some of the questions themselves – “this is very much collaborative”, she said.
On why the participation of men is so crucial to the overall success of the venture, she explained: “Men’s involvement is paramount to the success of all of our projects.
“Like everything we do, the Fairways Project is for the wider golf community. We want to improve the industry’s culture, help companies make better provision for women and understand how to hire and retain female talent.
“To do that, men’s and women’s experiences need to lead the conversation.”
For a chance to take part in the study, register your interest here.
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
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