Why is the idea of treating men and women equally so difficult a concept for some of our golf clubs, asks golf writer Steve Carroll?
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
How does golf get more women into clubs? It’s the million-dollar question that’s plagued our industry for years.
We all know the stats. Around 14 per cent of members are female. But while it may not be a ‘man’s world’ anymore for the rest of the planet, it feels like golf remains some way from catching up.
Yes, we’ve got ‘Get into Golf’, ‘Girls Golf Rocks’, and any number of incredibly worthy schemes trying to increase female participation.
Plenty of clubs have also got plaques on the wall – heralding their status as having signed up to the Women in Golf Charter.
But while governing bodies preach equality, diversity, and inclusion, that might not always be what you see on the ground.
I often ask clubs how many female members they have under 45. The numbers can be negligible. How can that not be a worry for anyone with any sort of handle on golf’s future?
Key Saturday tee times throughout the season are routinely reserved for men’s competitions. Parts of Tuesdays, or Thursdays, are out of bounds for male members.
While this traditional state of affairs clearly suits the lifestyles and demographics of those who enjoy it – and that includes women as much as men in my experience – it’s neither fit nor acceptable in a modern world.
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If you’re a woman who works, when do you play? The midweek Ladies’ Day is out. Do you try and squeeze in on a Saturday? If there’s a men’s competition on, that could mean having to wait for a very late afternoon slot.
Should you just accept on a weekend you might have to put all your eggs into one basket on a Sunday?
Can you hear yourselves if this is what your club does? We’re basically restricting access by gender, and the worst thing is it’s legal.
Let’s take it to an extreme. Imagine I told the female workers in my office they couldn’t come in on a Friday because it was ‘office men’s day’?
I would be fired. If it’s not acceptable in the workplace, why can we do it at golf clubs?
Given the obstacles presented, should we really be so surprised some working women don’t find the proposition of golf club membership attractive?
What is the incentive for them when half the weekend – the time when, just like men, they will most want to play – is not available?
I used to think ending gender segregation of competitions was the answer. I believed we should play together regardless of whether it’s social or competitive.
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I’ve come to realise that isn’t as important as equality of access. It might be a busy men’s competition day, but women should have the same rights to play. The same goes for women’s events.
Surely it is incredulous in 2024 that access to the golf course can still be restricted on whether you’re a man or a woman.
If you play the same fees, you should get the same opportunities.
I believe the Equality Act is a toothless instrument when it comes to private clubs and associations. Just take the furore over The Garrick Club as a timely example. The legislation doesn’t go nearly far enough and it allows too much wriggle room for its spirit to be side-stepped.
If we’re really serious about equality, and bridging the massive demographic gap in our sport, why don’t we just do what the industry always claims its working towards?
How about we just start treating women and men equally? Why is that such a radical thought?
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
Get involved in the debate. To join the GCMA, click here, or to organise a call with a member of the GCMA team, just complete this form and we’ll be in touch!
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