The new century has brought along with it a sharp increase in the popularity of womens golf, with a significant rise in the number of women golfers in both the professional and casual arenas. That means the face of golf is changing in dramatic fashion, as golf is quickly losing its reputation as an “old boys’ game.”

Although it may come as a surprise, women have been playing golf professionally since the 1800s. But traditionally, golf has been a hugely male-dominated sport, with many golf establishments not even allowing women players to set foot inside their doors. The path to playing golf has not been an easy road for the female contingent.

Usually, it takes some kind of spark to set off an explosive rise in popularity for any given sport. For men's golf, that spark was Tiger Woods, whose unbelievable play over the past decade or so elevated the popularity of golf to unprecedented levels. It is quite interesting to note that, as a child, Woods was denied entry into a golfing club because of the color of his skin, a club which now welcomes the golfing superstar with open arms.

For women's golf, teenage sensation Michelle Wie has certainly been a catalyst in bringing major attention to the sport of women's golf in general, as she has endeavored to use her formidable golfing skills to challenge male golfers directly head-to-head. Like Woods, perhaps her efforts will help eradicate the last barriers standing in the way of women golfers, including those few remaining clubs that still discriminate based on gender.

Regardless of Wie’s actual level of success in her quest to play with the men, in the past five years, women's golf has witnessed a massive rise in popularity partly thanks to her efforts, as well as the inspired play of many other great female golfers such as Annika Sorenstam. And that popularity is only expected to increase. Women are entering the sport at an unprecedented pace, with the fastest rising segment taking up the sport being women in their 20s and younger.

Interestingly, however, there is a subtle difference in the way women and men approach the game of golf. Women tend to view golf primarily as a social activity with competitive undertones, while men see golf primarily as a competitive activity with social undertones. So, while men may be obsessing about their handicap, women are just trying to have a good time. But regardless of the ultimate motives, there is no doubt that women have embraced golf, and the phenomenon has only benefited the sport.