Innovators

Woman with a mission

The Jazzy Golfer playing in a pro am prior to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2019

Broadening golf’s appeal among women and girls has become the quest of influencer Jasmine, the Jazzy Golfer

Words: Keith Jackson

Jasmine, the Jazzy Golfer, is on a mission. What started out as a “passion project” has transformed into one of the biggest campaigns to make golf more inclusive and welcoming for women and girls of all ages and abilities.

Whether it is presenting, campaigning or networking, few have done more than Jazzy to get more women involved in golf. Her relentless quest to promote the sport for women has incorporated many facets, which reached new heights earlier this year when she launched the UK Women’s Golf Community (UKWGC).

And she has even become involved in politics, hoping to use her influence, aligned with others of a similar nature, to persuade the government to take her campaigns to new levels. But how did it all start?

“I got into golf while on a family holiday in Portugal and when I came back to the UK I was adamant that golf would be a long-term hobby of mine, I just fell in love with the game. But I found there wasn’t anyone I could really learn from in the amateur space and I didn’t know where to start.

“So, I began to document my own journey on social media in the hope that it would not only help me to stick at it, but maybe persuade others to follow suit. The difficulty of being a woman in a male-dominated sport soon became apparent, like having to play on a Tuesday if I wanted to lower my handicap because there weren’t any available competitions for ladies over the weekend.

“That prompted my desire to create a vehicle that showed other women and girls that golf was a fun and healthy sport to take up.”

The journey started, gained momentum and has led to a number of innovative initiatives, culminating in the creation of the UKWGC in January.

“It’s proved a huge success, influencing many women and girls to take up the game. The UKWGC provides a platform for female golfers of all ages to get in contact with new friends and potential playing partners, the support network is incredible and I’m delighted with how it’s taken off.

“Perhaps the biggest thrill for me has been the messages I’ve received detailing how many young girls have built new confidence from being part of a golf-related community, and we’ve heard of how this has helped many people in many different ways. I had one particularly nice message a few days ago from a woman who is now using golf as a means of recovery thanks to her pro and the UKWGC community, which read: ‘Never underestimate how much good you do by providing us with safe spaces where we can get together, laugh, hit balls and learn from each other.’ When you get feedback like that, it makes the whole thing worthwhile and inspires me to take it further.”

While Jazzy has been the driving force, she is quick to acknowledge the support and collective efforts of a number of influencers, including the likes of professionals Inci Mehmet, Iona Stephen and Sophie Walker. And, with everyone promoting the same cause, Jazzy is happy to call them friends and dismisses any hint of rivalry which could damage everything they have worked so hard for.

“Culture, by nature, tends to pit women against each other, and when you’re part of a male-dominated industry like golf,

Jazzy prepares for the pro am prior to the Sky Sports British Masters at Walton Heath. “I wanted to show women golf was a fun sport,” she says

there is a perceived scarcity of opportunity. But I don’t think that is the case, I just think there is room for everybody to bring their own skills and character into the conversation.

“I’m lucky to call many of the women who promote golf, in whatever way, my friends, rather than become embroiled in any rivalries. The likes of Inci, Iona, Sophie and Alison Whitaker are all good friends and I don’t see them as competitors. We’re all on board with promoting golf for women and making it a more inclusive sport as a whole.

“I have the utmost respect for them as they bring something I can’t, they’re professional golfers and have that extra appeal and added insight into the pro game and beyond. They’re incredibly skilled at what they do, whereas I bring something a little different. But collectively, I feel our work complements each other.

“When I started the UKWGC, I contacted many influencers, many professional golfers and other women who work in the golf industry across the board, I explained what my aims were, and I gained so much support. Inci, Iona, Sophie and Eilidh Barbour have all backed me and taken the initiatives to a wider audience.”

So, has Jazzy inspired a new generation of golfers and prompted an established generation to try something new?

“Yes, definitely. And that’s not me making lofty assumptions, that’s based on all the feedback I get on a weekly basis. I have parents sending me snaps of their daughters wearing Jazzy leggings. I had various groups of young golfers wanting to speak to me about my work when I played in the BMW PGA Championship pro-am at Wentworth. I lose count of all the messages of thanks.

“It’s tough to pinpoint one standout best part of the journey, but just meeting new people through golf is right up there. I’ve made friends for life, and since the launch of the UKWGC, that’s given me a huge amount of satisfaction to see how it’s grown. I take a lot of gratitude, pleasure and pride from seeing so many women connect thanks to this community.

“I really wanted to do something tangible and all the messages thanking me for what I’m doing for the women’s game means that we’re continuing to challenge the sexism and elitism in the sport. I’ve found a way to use my platforms in the best way possible, promoting the game for women and juniors that will have an impact on so many. “It’s hard to put into words how I feel when I see women and girls leaving one of our sessions absolutely buzzing, and knowing they’ve exchanged contact details and then met up for golf over the following weekend is just incredible.”

“It’s tough to pinpoint one standout best part of the journey, but just meeting new people through golf is right up there. I’ve made friends for life.”

Speaking at The R&A Women in Golf Charter launch in 2018