Women golfers strike a pose

After the Scottish national game of golf began to be played by immigrants in NZ during 1860s, golf has Increasingly become a pastime for both men and women. By the mid-1920s, the number of women players had increased to almost the same number as men. 

The following images illustrate:

• Women golfers striking a pose: Lady golfers in action up to the 1930s. The style of clothing initially worn reflected the fashion conventions women were wearing at home - full-length dresses and skirts with stiff petticoats beneath. Gradually, the wearing of a pleated skirt, blouse, cardigan sweater, and golfing coats began to be introduced.

• The journey towards women's golf in NZ, 1860s-1930s: A background summary of the milestones of women playing golf in NZ - the introduction of Women's Sections to Golf Clubs; the forming of Ladies' Golf Clubs; and the holding of interclub, national and international competitions.

 A.  Women golfers striking a pose

Getting ready to tee off

Waggling (moving the club back and forward before hitting the shot)

Long-distance driving style

Watching the drive

Playing the ball from its landing spot

Putting style

B.   Milestones in the journey towards women's golf in NZ, 1860s-1930s

Scotland is known as the home of golf where the first modern golf courses and clubs were established. After immigrants began playing golf during 1860s, NZ's first golf club, the Dunedin Golf Club, was established during 1871. Other golf clubs began to be formed and, depending on the club's rules, incorporated Women's Sections. The Dunedin Ladies' Golf Club was set up in 1892 and renamed the Otago Ladies' Golf Club the following year. Similar clubs for women also began to be formed in the South Island and North Island. Interclub competitions began to be organised, and the first Ladies' Amateur Competition was held in November 1893. 

The Golf Council formed in 1899 and became the New Zealand Golf Association in 1910. The New Zealand Ladies' Golf Union (NZLGU) was established in 1911, affiliated to the Ladies' Golf Union in Great Britain which was founded in 1893. The New Zealand Māori Golf Association formed in 1932 with men and women players, and competitions began to be held in parallel with the NZ Golf Association. NZ began competing against Australia for the Tasman Cup in 1933 which was an amateur women's team tournament.

1.  Scotland known as "The Home of Golf" internationally

Golf has been played in Scotland since the middle of the 15th century and then spread to England and further abroad. The course at St Andrews was opened to members of the public by Archbishop Hamilton's charter in 1552 and the first ever 18-hole course was constructed in 1764. It was named the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews by King William IV in 1834. Women also began playing and the first Ladies' Golf Club was formed in 1867 at St Andrews. Consequently, Scotland has become known as "The Home of Golf" internationally. 

2. Golf began in NZ during 1860s & "gentlemen's" golf club formed in 1871 at Dunedin

Other golf clubs began to be established in South Island & North Island

3. Golf also became an increasing pastime for women

Golf Clubs consider establishing Women's Sections

Ladies' Golf Clubs also began to be formed with the first in Dunedin in 1892

Ladies' Golf Unions & Associations formed in Great Britain in 1893-1904

Meanwhile, by 1893 in Great Britain, women golfers belonged to 63 Ladies' Clubs or Women's Sections. In April 1893, delegates from ten clubs met in London to form the Ladies' Golf Union (LGU) as the governing body for women's and girls' amateur golf, of which 19 clubs in England joined in the first year. The Irish Ladies' Golfing Union (ILGU) was also formed on 15 December 1893, two years after the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1891. Later, in 1904, the Welsh Ladies' Golf Union was founded nine years after the Welsh Golfing Union was formed in 1895. The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association was also founded in 1904. (Source: Scottish Golf History: Ladies Golf Union - First UK Golf Association) News about the forming of the Ladies' Golfing Unions began to filter through to the Ladies' Clubs and Women's Sections in NZ. 

4.  First NZ Amateur Champion Cup competition between clubs held, Nov 1893

In 1893, the Otago Golf Club held the first New Zealand Amateur Championship for men on 30 November - 2 December. Competitors from Hutt, Christchurch, North Otago and Otago played at Dunedin. The first organised women's golf match took place on 30 November as part of the men’s championship tournament with players from the Otago Ladies' Golf Club and Christchurch Ladies' Golf Club. The women played for a trophy donated by Mrs Lucie Stead, a golf player whose husband George Gatonby Stead was a grain merchant, racehorse owner and breeder from Christchurch. The trophy was won by Ethel Lomax-Smith of Christchurch.  Source: Top 100 Golf Courses: Championships: New Zealand Women's Amateur

Ladies' Amateur Championships became an annual event & number of clubs increased

For a list of the winners and venues from 1893-2010, see: Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Tournament results (p. 11-13).

5.  Mixed Foursome teams formed with men & women for social competitions, 1894

As early as 1894, men and women played in teams of four called Mixed Foursomes. Two pairs of players competed against each other - the two partners in each pair competed as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. The event became a popular social occasion which was held annually.

6.  Bogey competition held during Ladies' Championship Tournament, 1895

A Bogey competition was held during the Ladies' Championship Tournment held in 1895. As described by the Otago Witness (3 October 1895):

In the afternoon a Bogey competition was held, for which 28 players entered. The score of Colonel Bogey is fixed by the Green Committee, who appoint the number of strokes which the ghostly colonel is supposed to take to each hole. The players then receive three-quarters of their club handicap, and the holes where the colonel gives a stroke are determined by a table drawn out by the St. Andrew's Golf Club, Scotland. In this instance the Bogey score was 112, a very liberal allowance, but only five players succeeded in beating their military opponent. The following are the best cards handed in : Mrs Stilling 7 up. Mrs Rattvay 6 up. Mrs M. Campbell 2 up. Mrs Melland 2 up. Mrs Rattray 2 up. Miss Bowen halved the match.

7.  Auckland Ladies' Golf Club formed in July 1896 & shared men's course in Sept 1897

8.  Club events continued to be held

9.  The Golf Council formed in 1899 & became New Zealand Golf Association in 1910

10.  Championships & Club Tournaments

11. Women's sections propose affiliating with Ladies' Golf Union (Gt Brit), 1905

In 1905, during a tournament at Waiōhiki in Napier, a meeting was held by the women’s sections of clubs –  Auckland, Napier, Manawatu, Wanganui, Wairarapa, Hutt-Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, North Otago and Otago. The Women's Sections proposed affiliating with the Ladies' Golf Union in Great Britain which was formed in 1893.  (Source: Top 100 Golf Courses: Championships: New Zealand Women's Amateur)

12.  Tournament events

Ladies' Golf Club tournaments & Championships

First Open Championship for both professional & amateur men & women players, 1907

Coronation Medal competition held, 1908 -  

In 1908, the Coronation Medal competition commenced with medals presented to the New Zealand branch of the Ladies' Golf Union in England by Miss Issette Pearson (Secretary) and Mrs Hutton. Initially, two medals were to be awarded for national competitions held in 1908 - one to take place in the North Island and the other in the South Island.  "There are two Coronation medals, one for the North Island and one for the South...These were struck in honour of the Coronation of the King and Queen and are competed for twice during each season; the competition being open to players in each Island who have qualified for a handicap under "L.G.U." rules, the winner holding the medal till, next contest." The winner to then be presented with a miniature replica medal as a permanent memento. (Source: Manawatu Standard (8 May 1908), "Golf" (VXLI, Issue 8576, p.2)) However, from 1909 onwards, one competition was held annually.  

For a list of the Coronation Medal winners since 1908, see: Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Tournament results (p. 24)

Number of Ladies' Clubs belonging to Ladies' Golf Union continues to grow

In 1909, at the annual meeting of the Ladies' Golf Union held on 23 August, the numbers of clubs and members were summarised as follows: 

"In the course of her annual report the hon. secretary, Mrs Mellsop, said that at the end of last season nineteen clubs were on the Union roll, with a membership of about 1380. Twelve were North Island clubs with 850 members, and seven South Island with 530. The following joined during the year: Invercargill, Temuka, Ashburton, Nelson, Otaki, Miramar, making 26. The North Island has now 15 clubs with about, 970 members, and the South Island has 11 with about 700 members. Hagley Park has decided to join next year, and Featherston. Feilding and Hastings are also likely to become members. One club. Wairarapa, has resigned, as from the end of the current year."  (Source: Manawatu Standard (24 August 1909), "Ladies' golf", (Vol XLI, Issue 9001, 24 August 1909, p.6))

13. The New Zealand Ladies' Golf Union (NZLGU) was established in 1911

In 1911, the New Zealand Ladies' Golf Union (NZLGU) was established, affiliated to Ladies' Golf Union in Great Britain which was formed in 1893. It administered the game nationally and locally according to the rules of the Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews, Scotland. In 1986, the New Zealand Ladies’ Golf Union changed its name to Women’s Golf New Zealand (WGNZ), and in November 2005 it amalgamated with the New Zealand Golf Association to form New Zealand Golf Incorporated.

New tournaments, clubs & golfing attire, 1910s

During 1911, the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship was introduced which was won by Mrs G. Williamson of Wairarapa. For a list of winners since 1911, see: Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Tournament results (p. 8-10).

 14.  Number of clubs & women players continues to increase during 1920s

By mid-1920s almost as many women as men played golf

NZ Women's Amateur Championship Foursomes commenced, 1924

In 1924, the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship Foursomes commenced. For a list of winners since 1924, see: Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Tournament results (p. 15).  In 1930, New Zealand Autumn Foursomes Cups commenced. (ibid, p.19-20).

Latest golfing attires marketed in NZ

 15. Club, Interclub & National competitions during 1930s

Coronation Medal & Aotearoa Cup played in conjunction, 1931 -

In 1931, the North Otago Times reported:

"Members of clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Ladies' Golf Union completed competition in the Aotearoa Cup and Coronation Medal matches, played in conjunction by members of all affiliated clubs of the Dominion during the last week of May. The Medal competition was open to senior players only, and the Cup open to all players with L.G.U. handicaps. Members of clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Ladies' Golf Union completed competition in the Aotearoa Cup and Coronation Medal matches, playecl in conjunction by members of all affiliated clubs of the Dominion during the last week of May. The Medal competition was open to senior players only, and the Cup open to all players with L.G.U. handicaps."

Source: North Otago Times (17 June 1931), "Ladies' Golf Union", (V.CVII, Issue 17267, p. 2)

16.  The New Zealand Māori Golf Association formed in 1932

Championship winners (Tane, Wahine and Rohe) from 1932 - 2012 can be viewed at: New Zealand Maori Golf Association Inc: Past Champions

17.  NZ women golfers play internationally, 1930s -

NZ women compete against Australia for the Tasman Cup, 1933 - 2016

From 1933 until 2016, New Zealand and Australia competed for the Tasman Cup which was an amateur women's team tournament. The contest was not held in 1935 as the British Ladies' Golf team had accept the invite to tour Australia and NZ. The competition also ceased from 1939 to 1948 due to World War II. The Tasman Cup contest resumed in 1949 and was held as part of the Trans Tasman competition during 2007-2010 and 2012.  A final Tasman Cup competition was held in 2016.

Sources: 

• Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Tournament results (p. 2)

• Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Representative Players lists the names of the NZ team members.

• Wikipedia: Tasman Cup

NZ at Ladies British Open Amateur Championship held in Wales, 1934

19.  Other competitions held in NZ, 1930s -

Various club, interclub and national competitions were held during the 1930s. A list of these competitions and the winners can be viewed on Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives : Women's Tournament results. Several photographs are available on DigitalNZ, including the following.

Find out more:

• Garry Ahern, 'Golf', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/golf/print

• Golf New Zealand: Tournament and Teams Archives: Women's Tournament results

• New Zealand Maori Golf Association Inc: Past Champions List: https://www.nzmga.org/file/honours-board-past-champions/open

• Otago Golf Club: Club history: https://www.otagogolfclub.co.nz/club-history?ComeFromCat=1415

• Scottish Golf History: Early Women's Golf: https://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/early-womens-golf/

This DigitalNZ story was compiled in April 2025