Golf is more than just a game—it’s a mindset, a confidence builder, and a tool for breaking barriers. Few people embody this philosophy better than Fareen Samji, champion golfer, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. After immigrating from Kenya to Canada at 14, Fareen carved out a career that spans competitive golf, business, and leadership coaching, all while challenging stereotypes in male-dominated spaces.
Through her book, Smashing the Grass Ceiling, and her work with Smashing Golf Academy and ALD Canada, Fareen is on a mission to empower others to step up, swing big, and embrace resilience. As International Women’s Day approaches, we caught up with her to talk about confidence, ambition, and how golf is helping women push past limitations—on and off the course. —Noa Nichol
· Your journey from Kenya to Canada at 14 is inspiring. How did your early experiences shape your approach to sports, business, and leadership?
Coming from Kenya, where you are surrounded by poverty, you learn the value of a good education early on. My parents were very education-focused, and my uncle, who lived in Dundas, sponsored me and my brothers to come to Canada for an education. In order to get us to that point, my dad worked hard as an entrepreneur to educate us and get us the opportunity to get a good education. My early experiences were watching my father’s work ethic and the strong family unit that my mum and he created for us. I was taught at a young age that the more you give the more you get. My dad’s commitment to charity work through Rotary and various volunteer boards he served on reinforced this. When you grow up in a country where there are no social supports and everyone is for themselves, you also learn the value of working together collaboratively and helping to lift each other up. It was modelled for me by my parents and by my community.
My approach to sports, business and leadership is the same as my approach to life — treat others like you want to be treated, work hard and know how to rejuvenate yourself.
· You dominated long-drive competitions, winning multiple national and world titles. What drew you to the sport, and what mindset helped you achieve such success?
I happened upon long drive by accident — someone told me about it, and I went to my first Canadian event with no training really and no pressure on myself and won! And I got hooked on the adrenaline, the excitement and the fact that I didn’t get a 2-stroke penalty for going out of bounds! I had six chances to crush a drive! When you find something that makes your heart beat a little faster and puts a smile on your face, it makes it fun to do and I really enjoyed it. I was never a very big muscular hitter compared to the other girls, so I had to keep learning how to manipulate my body to maximize my distance. I struggle with feeling guilty when I don’t perform well that I have let my supporters down, so in a way the guilt was a motivator for me. Overall though, I wanted to prove that I could excel in a golf related activity. I had slogged in out on the mini tours playing professional golf all over the world and missing many cuts! This part of my game — the long drive — I could do and I could do well — and it motivated me to continue training for it.
· Smashing the Grass Ceiling isn’t just the title of your book—it’s a movement. What does it mean to you, and how do you apply this philosophy to your work?
Smashing is all about creating confidence and therefore opportunities for success. When we can handle our vulnerabilities and share our vulnerabilities with others, we forge deeper connections and create some courage to tackle situations outside our comfort zone. When teaching golf, my goal is to inspire and create enough confidence in the golfer that even though they may find they are the worst golfer in their group, they are the most fun to play with!
· The Smashing Golf Academy is about more than just learning the game—it’s about building confidence and leadership skills. What inspired you to start it, and what impact have you seen so far?
When I was asked to come to Dragon’s Fire Golf Club, the Academy had a place it could call home. A golf club with practise facilities, where you can actually learn the game and not just the swing. I saw so many women being left out of career growing opportunities because they didn’t have the courage to do something vulnerable, like golf, in public. Smashing Golf Academy programs like the Play Days are all about building that confidence. We start with a group clinic and then golfers go out and play nine holes with a mentor coach accompanying them to teach the etiquette and game strategy. So far I have seen women come through the smashing nines and retreats and have now joined a ladies league in their own clubs. Beneficiaries from our Smashing Girls program have found mentors that they can chat with, get advice and connections.
· As the Commissioner of Amateur Long Drive (ALD) Canada, you’re creating opportunities for new talent. How do you see the sport evolving, and what role do women play in shaping its future?
The beautiful part of ALD Canada is that there are age divisions that you can compete in from U7 – 75+ The age groups are gendered and women play an integral part in helping shape the future of ALD. Traditionally long drive has been thought of a sport for young strong men — but this is not the case with ALD Canada where women and youth can compete.
· Golf has historically been seen as a male-dominated space. What challenges have you faced as a woman in the sport, and what advice would you give to others breaking barriers?
Time and time again, when I am drawn with others on a tee sheet, on the first hole, the marshal insists I hit first because the guys have to wait for the group ahead of to clear! I politely decline and tell him I would rather wait till after the group has cleared far enough in front of me that I won’t hit into them. The biggest challenge for me is the look of disappointment on some men’s faces when I show up to the tee and the look on their face that they have been drawn to play with a woman. If course, after my first swing the disappointment quickly turns to embarrassment — but many ladies still endure the judgement of being a bad golfer just because she is a woman. The advice I would give to anyone is to learn how to keep pace with the group you are playing. There are so many strategies that we teach that enable you to keep the pace and still create meaningful connections on the golf course despite your skill level.
· Beyond sports, you’re a mentor and speaker who empowers individuals across industries. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about confidence and leadership that applies to all aspects of life?
The biggest lesson I have learned is to surround yourself with people and things that make you feel good — remove the toxicity.
· With International Women’s Day approaching, what message do you hope to share with women looking to take bold steps in their careers and personal lives?
When you find the thing that makes your heart beat a little faster and you create the network of support around you that you can lean on and build meaningful relationships — then you have the tools you need to take bold steps.
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