The Armchair Golf Blog recently posted “A Guide to ‘Women-Friendly’ Golf Facilities” with information about the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA).

The association offers a program for golf facilities to earn an official designation as a women-friendly facility. There are certain criteria, based on playability and customer experience, that a facility must meet in order to receive this distinction.

Under playability, the EWGA requires:
-At least two sets of tees rated for women.

-Tees should fall in the following range:
· 4,600 – 5,300 yards for the 1st set
· 5,300 – 5,800 yards for the 2nd set
· Extra credit for having a 3rd set of rated tees with one 5800 yards or longer

-Carries from the forward tees are limited to 50 yards or less for the majority of holes.

-Drop areas provide for carries over 50 yards from the forward tees and more than 100 yards from the 2nd set of tees.

-Slope and rating data and course handicap conversion tables for women are in an obvious and easily-accessible area.

-Distance markers are available inside 100 yards.

Under Customer Experience, the EWGA requires:
-Staff has a consistent approach to all players regardless of gender; this includes all staff from the pro shop to the bag staff and the marshals.

-At least 10 percent of the golf course staff are women.

-Equal services are provided to men and women, i.e., if club fitting is offered, staff is well trained to fit equipment for women and offers equipment for women golfers of various skill levels

-Facilities are relatively equal for men and women, i.e. tee boxes are maintained in equal condition and have similar basic amenities (ball washers, trash cans, etc.), and clean, pleasant restrooms are available at least every six holes on the golf course.

Anything missing from the EWGA’s list? What courses do you think are women friendly?