While most would agree that women should have equal access, and the same rights and membership privileges as men in Australia’s golf clubs, a push for gender-inclusive tees in the traditional sport is dividing members, many of whom are resistant to change.
Tees have traditionally been defined along gender lines, with longer tees designated for male players and shorter tees for women, using the archaic rationale that women cannot hit a golf ball as far as men. However, Golf Australia, in its effort to encourage more female participation in the sport has written to clubs recommending that tees should be based on ability, regardless of sex.
Supporters of the proposal say the existing model offers no benefit to the game and creates division between members. They believe that a cross-gender course model would allow skilled women golfers to play off longer tees, rather than being restricted to shorter tees. The move, without causing any disadvantage to skilled male players, also offers the option of shorter starting points to less proficient males as well as older gentlemen members struggling to play off the backmarkers.
Golf Australia’s move towards gender neutrality is primarily aimed at attracting more women into the sport, with latest data showing that only 20 per cent of the country’s 400,000 golf members are women. The move, rather than be extreme, would simply bring Australian clubs in line with overseas clubs, where gender-neutral participation is becoming the accepted norm.
Golf Australia says that today’s game today is a broad church and should cater for all, and while some clubs have begun trialling the gender-neutral tees, many remain resistant as traditionalists argue that, rather than a progressive and timely evolution of the game, it is political correctness gone wild.
What a lot of nonsense. Men can play off white or red tees with a lower handicap. Now a colour change.
What is next. Catering for the minority again. If you think that this is going to make the hardest game in the world more enjoyable. Perhaps you be concentrating on making the game more fun to play for ALL and dump this ridiculous political correctness in the trash can.
There are many other things to consider.
1 universal decision on bunker rakes out of bunkers.
2. Winter rules for fairway divots when grass doesn’t grow no matter how much sand is required.
3. Universal rules for quick play to make sure everyone is finished in 4 hours, a quick game is a good game.
Please concentrate on everyone and not the selected few who will never be able to assist in making your golf clubs more profitable. Profit in business is not a swear word.