The first publication created exclusively for female junior golfers has reached the one-year milestone by publishing its third issue (Winter 2007). Golfer Girl Magazine is featured in the new product centre of this week’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
Along with a growing subscription base, the magazine is distributed to all segments of the girls‘ golf market, including tournament participants, students at golf academies and participants in the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program. A significant pass-along readership by parents, coaches and teachers augments its current circulation of 10,000.
Claude and Michelle Hooton of Del Mar, California are the publisher and founders of the magazine and the parents of the three daughters who inspired it. The Hootons are determined to lead the magazine through its next growth spurt.
“Our goal is to reach a circulation of 100,000 and, with renewed emphasis on family time, involvement of grandparents in their grandchildren’s lives and an exciting group of young women golfers on the LPGA Tour, we feel Golfer Girl Magazine is well positioned for the future. We‘ve been buoyed by the support of our advertisers and advisors and most of all, by the excellent reception from the golf industry.”
Support for the magazine parallels growth among junior golfers and girls, in particular. According to 2007 surveys, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) reports that about 1 million girls between the ages of 6 and 17 play golf on regulation courses. Girls represent about 19 percent of all junior golfers (on regulation courses) — a jump in percentage compared to the historic girl-boy golfer ratio of 16 percent.
Interestingly, among 6-11 year old golfers, 60 percent are girls. The market size doubles when another 1 million girls who use golf ranges and short courses for their first learning experiences are added to the segment along with the girls in the World Golf Foundation’s National School Golf and The First Tee programs. On the merchandise side, according to a 2007 NGF survey, 21% of kids spent more than $100 on golf clubs in 2006. And, when green fees are added to the mix, about 8% of junior golfers (girls and boys) spend more than $500 annually on the game.
Hooton plans to take advantage of the PGA’s Family Golf Month (July) which now incorporates the NGCOA’s Take Your Daughter to the Golf Course Week and a new “Bring Your Kids to the Range” promotion. In addition, future editorial content will include family travel and resort showcases, as well as equipment-buying tips.
Golfer Girl Magazine is published quarterly and has an annual subscription rate of $26. Golfer Girl Magazine www.golfergirlmagazine.com