Despite a down economy, some people do report they are playing more golf than they were two or three years ago. According to the National Golf Foundation, however, that's only 18 percent of all core golfers.
Women have been golfing since the turn of the 20th century and have been recognized as professional golfers since 1930, when the first women’s major tournament—the Women’s Western Open—was played, making it one of the first professional sports for women. The LPGA was officially formed in 1950.