Creating a Culture of Kindness Through Golf

ModSport Media Inc. — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:30:00 -0800

What if the biggest barrier to golf isn't the cost of clubs or the difficulty of the swing, but the fear of being judged?
Jenefeness Franke knows that feeling intimately. The founder of Soft Life Swing Society picked up a club for the first time in 2018 simply to share quality time with her daughter, and her first full round on a par-72 course was nothing short of "hell", feeling rushed, intimidated, and humiliated. But instead of walking away, she did something radical: she started inviting other beginner women out to play. Nearly 200 women have since registered for Soft Life Swing Society events - and an astonishing 97% had never picked up a golf club before. In this episode, host Colin Weston sits down with Jenefeness to explore how a grassroots movement built on kindness, borrowed clubs, and zero judgment is quietly rewriting who gets to call themselves a golfer.

3 Key Takeaways you'll discover:

1. The barrier isn't the game, it's the judgment. Jenefeness's own terrible first rounds weren't fixed by better instruction; they were fixed by better company. Soft Life Swing Society replaces "just pick it up" with "let me show you how to do that differently," creating a safe space where mistakes are expected, shared, and celebrated.

2. Partnerships start with a simple ask. From four lesson cohorts at Meadow Park Golf Course (which now reserves Tuesday tee times for the group) to support from PXG, Pro Discount Golf, and Evergreen Golf Club's indoor simulators, Jenefeness proves that courses, manufacturers, and retailers genuinely want to help. You just have to tell them what you're building.

3. There's a real gap in plus-size women's golf apparel. Jenefeness candidly calls out an industry blind spot: most women's golf fashion is cut for petite, straight figures, forcing curvy women into men's clothes. It's a clear call to action for apparel entrepreneurs and a fresh business opportunity hiding in plain sight.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Jenefeness on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

💬 **3 Inspiring Quotes from Jenefeness Franke

"Having an environment where a woman can say, 'You know what? Yeah, that was horrible. Let me show you how to do that differently.' An environment where you don't feel judged. You actually feel supported. You feel safe to make mistakes and not feel like it's the end of the world."
"Eliminating those barriers or those mindsets around golf, just helping women to understand that it's easier than what we think and it's so much fun once we get out there and play with the right folks."
"Don't be afraid to learn, to make mistakes, and to have fun along the way."

Episode Chapters

00:00 Colin sets the stage on the barriers that keep people away from golf
02:10 Jenefeness's golf origin story: The First Tee, her daughter, and a laugh-filled driving range session
05:56 The first full round: intimidation, pace-of-play panic, and "why did I even choose to do this?"
07:40 The AHA moment: Why Soft Life Swing Society was born from "unfun rounds"
10:06 Creating a culture of kindness for women, especially Black women and women of colour
11:28 Building partnerships with local Tacoma golf courses and the golf industry
14:47 Onboarding 200 women: Safety first, then the grip, the swing, and tempo
17:03 Growing through word of mouth, social media, and The Club Closet
18:34 The simulator advantage: Why indoor golf is drawing nearly 40% women
20:26 Tuesday tee times: Social connection, golf etiquette, and showing up early
22:38 Golf fashion and the plus-size gap: A missed market opportunity
25:08 The future: 2027 plans, Seattle expansion, and evolving from side hustle to something bigger
28:08 Words of advice: Ask questions, borrow clubs, and just get out there
29:28 How to connect with Soft Life Swing Society on Facebook and Instagram

We want to thank our partner British Columbia Golf for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

British Columbia Golf is working to build a more connected future for golf in BC, making it easier for people to find their place in the game and see where it might lead them next.

That place can change as life does. Someone who once competed might later find joy in a weekend round, or return to golf as a volunteer. Others are discovering it for the first time. There's room for everyone, at every age, stage, and ability.

BC Golf delivers provincial programs and championships, supports education and development, and helps steward the systems behind everyday play. Working alongside clubs, coaches and communities, it also helps strengthen the connections that keep people involved in the sport.

Put simply, the aim is a game that is easier to join, and harder to drift away from. Learn more at britishcolumbiagolf.org.

About The ModGolf Podcast: Host Colin Weston speaks with entrepreneurs, innovators, disruptors, and influencers shaping the future of the game and business of golf. Now in Season 20 with nearly 300 episodes produced since 2017.

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🔗 Connect with Jenefeness and Soft Life Swing Society:

email Jenefeness(solflifeswingsociety@gmail.com) and follow SLSS on Instagram