England rugby player Abbie Ward was among 12 female influencers at love.golf’s Barbie event – a theme chosen to showcase the similarities with the film’s messaging that women can be whoever or whatever they want to be.
Ward joined other new golfers for the taster session at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset, and enjoyed it so much she plans to invite her team-mates to future events.
“I’m sport mad but I didn’t really have any experience with a golf club in hand,” said Ward, who plays for Bristol Bears and has 50 England caps. “I’ve always thought I’d love to have a go, and this has felt like a safe space where I could come and try it out and it doesn’t matter if I’m rubbish.
“As a professional athlete I’m used to playing sport to a high standard, but it’s been great to come along today and be with other beginners. It’s opened a door for me and I’ll definitely be bringing a few of my team-mates along to the golf course or driving range.”
After sharing highs and high-fives on the golf course, led by love.golf coaches Nicola Stroud and Leo Tarrant, the group enjoyed some Barbie-fied hospitality in the clubhouse, with cocktails, pink balloons and a life-size Barbie box for the all-important selfie.
Caprice Fox, an advocate for LGBTQ+, said: “Despite being way out of my comfort zone, I had so much fun. love.golf is on a mission to diversify the golf scene, and I was impressed by their steps towards inclusivity.”
Sam Rowswell, a Bristol-based influencer, said: “Anxiety has that way of holding you back from pushing yourself and trying new things and believe me when I say, I was SO close to cancelling the morning of this all-female golf afternoon. But in a world where you can do anything, be present. Take a step in to doing something that you wouldn’t think you’d enjoy and surprise yourself.”
Head coach and love.golf founder Alastair Spink said: “The message of the Barbie movie aligns perfectly with love.golf, and it was a brilliant session full of fun, laughter and learning a new skill among like-minded people. There’s a scene in the film where Ken tries to show Barbie how to hold a golf club at the driving range, but our extensive research informs us that women respond far better and achieve a lot more if given the freedom to explore the game themselves.”
Based on academic and market research into what women want from a golf experience, love.golf – supportered by Syngenta – offers a unique approach, empowering women in a group environment free of rules or technical information. The Barbie event was the latest step to introduce new, diverse audiences to golf, and the influencers will be invited to future gatherings as they continue their new-found interest and enthusiasm for the game.
