Men, Women Golfers Need a Course in Gender Bias
Last summer, a women’s tournament was played at a popular metro Detroit west side course. As the foursomes began to arrive at the 10th tee, they found it stacked four groups deep with men who had been allowed to cut in at the turn. When the women complained to the starter, he said, “You women play too fast. You were supposed to make the turn in 2 and ½ hours, not 2! If you slowed down, you’d play better!”
True story.
Women play too fast. Women play too slow. Men don’t hit it as long as they think they do. Men hate to play golf with women. Women are better putters and chippers. They’re rules ghouls. Men swing too hard. Women swing like powder puf fs. Women shouldn’t play in men’s events. Men shouldn’t play in women’s events. Men cheat.
The battle of the sexes is alive and kicking on the links.
What male golfer has not set out for the first tee, seen a group of women in front of him and let out a labored sigh? With visions of a dreadfully slow round ahead, some are tempted to ask to play through even before the first tee shot flies. But is that fair?
Not according to statistics, which provide no evidence that either gender can claim to be the kings or queens of speed on the links; however, according to course rangers, women are much more likely to cooperate when asked to speed up play, because they know they’ll be blamed for slow play.
Men have misconceptions about women’s golf games and overestimate how far women can hit the ball. Actually, the average woman drives the ball 130-150 yards and can carry a fairway shot about 80 yards. Yet, with the advent of Forward Tees (formerly the Ladies Tee) devised by architects who, by the way, still don’t have it quite right, there is some unwritten axiom that rounds played from these tees are not truly considered a ‘serious’ golf course by men. Why men have a problem with this is a great mystery. And why they think that a woman who can hit the ball a bit should move back to the 6600-yard course or longer is an even greater puzzle.
Let’s pose these questions to the fellows:
- Would you enjoy playing a course that required one, two, or three 3-woods to reach almost every green?
- If you were playing scramble or partner golf with John Daly would you insist he back up to the tees behind you?
- In a scramble, would you insist your woman teammate play on your standard tees instead of the Forward Tees?
Correct (and sane) answers:
- No, but most women have to play that way;
- Absolutely not – you’d play the same tees. No wimps here.
- No way. Do I look crazy?
In order to survive unscathed when playing with the opposite sex, here are five things a man should never say to a woman:
1) You really didn’t win the long drive contest since you hit from the Ladies Tee.
2) It doesn’t matter how far you are from the green. You’ll just hit 3-wood anyway.
3) I’ll drive the cart. I want to make it back to the 19th hole alive!
4) Wow! You can break 100? You must be a good short game player.
5) Why don’t you play it from the back tees and play a real golf course?
And here are six things a woman should never say to a man unless she’s got game and has chutzpah to match:
1) Let’s play for something – even up. No strokes.
2) I’ll play from whatever tees you boys are playing from.
3) You really shouldn’t play individual stroke play. A scramble suits you much better.
4) Here you go – why don’t you use some of my pink Flying Lady golf balls since you’ve lost all of yours?
5) You swing like a girl.
6) Can we play through?
By Janina Parrott Jacobs, Golf Media Specialist and so much more…
Janina raises some great questions and responses for us at Ladies on the Tee , The Voice of Women’s Golf at www.sherrytabb.com. Sound off here with your own answers. Thanks for stopping by and spending time with us.
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Tags: gender bias, golf, golf course, golf etiquette, golfers, Women's Golf
I love it! Thanks for posting!!!! So true get all of these comments so often on the course. My other pet peeve is when guys try to give me advice or pointers on the course. I can hit a million good shots and the one shot that does not come off as planned and they want to “fix me”!!!!
Happy Golfing!
Robyn