No women at Muirfield

[In_The_Rough]

Genuine question, but is it actually going down? I haven't seen any figures either way, but I swear more and more people I know are playing, the driving range is always busy, the course has always got a fair few greenfees on. Could it be that due to many different reasons, the participation in golf is staying the same, but memberships are declining? I know many friends who love to play golf but don't want to join one particular place...

I think this is nearer the truth actually, everywhere I go it is busy not just during this spell of cracking weather either. Memberships are definitely falling though. Pay and play is probably going to be the way forward

 

[Imurg]

Getting splinters from being on the fence, can I throw this hypothetical question out there...

If a Ladies only Club hosted the Ladies Open would there be the same outcry as there is when a Men's only Club hosts The Open..?

Granted the Ladies Open isn't as high a profile as the Men's but the principle is the same........

 

[Birchy]

Getting splinters from being on the fence, can I throw this hypothetical question out there...

If a Ladies only Club hosted the Ladies Open would there be the same outcry as there is when a Men's only Club hosts The Open..?

Granted the Ladies Open isn't as high a profile as the Men's but the principle is the same........

Yeah but they would only do that because the open (mens) was hosted at a mens only golf club first.......

 

[Foxholer]

I'm pretty sure that HCEG are reluctant to admit women because they fer that the fundamental nature of their Club would change. I certainly believe it would. So it's for that reason alone that I'm prepared to accept Male (or Female) only clubs - and the same generally applies to other such exclusivity.

The fact that some of these Clubs are at great courses - some on the Open Rota - is relatively coincidental imo. My view is that it is the Course that is being utilised, not the Club 'hosting'.

This is quite different to the view I have of Augusta National that actually does 'host' The Masters. I'm pleased to see that they have made some advances.

 

[chrisd]

Very true. And participation in golf will still be going down, membership will still be falling and the perception of golf, especially those who run golf by the general public and some potential members will still not be very good.

But the reasons that membership is falling etc is not because of the odd "Muirfield" its because of the deepest recession in living memory, so many sports chasing the same participants, too many new clubs springing up in the good days and the fact that people are more nomadic. Large numbers of players do pay and play, they aren't worried about formal handicaps and can play at a variety of courses in a given area and, more significantly, play when the weather suits.

I am never going to be convinced that any potential player in this country, would not play, simply because Muirfield is a mens only club!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I am never going to be convinced that any potential player in this country, would not play, simply because Muirfield is a mens only club!

I don't think anyone is saying that (if they are then that's crazy), I think people are implying that it's one of the issues stopping people. So if they suddenly let it women members, there wouldn't be a massive influx of new participants, but it would have to be as a whole host of reforms to change the way the sport is viewed.

 

[SAPCOR1]

As my wife said last night, "so what"

It is a non story that is whipped up by the media who wheel out the usual suspects. Focusing on the club itself rather than the tournament

I do agree however that it doesn't do any favours for the image of golf.

Personally I wouldn't join such a club, not that I would ever have the chance!

 

[Dodger]

I wonder if the Ladies only clubs hold mens opens at their courses.....you know,opens like most golf clubs do,£15 entry types?

Surely they do....I don't know,do they?

If not then it's time to lay this non story to bed and move on.

While I am on the Open subject who was the Black guy on BBC this morning around 7am 'reporting' from Muirfield?

Mark James was called Mark Jones and Muirfield was called Muurfeld by this top notch presenter!

Hurry up and get the rights Sky please.

 

[woody69]

This has nothing to do with sexism and everything to do with the fact that some, not all by any means, men want to get away from the opposite sex for a few hours and just relax after a weeks work and have a bit of R&R.

Sounds a little gay. Personally I prefer my R&R surrounded by women.

 

[shivas irons]

Right I'm nailing my colours firmly to the mast here when I say I totally and without any doubt in my mind applaud Muirfield from their stance on not allowing lady members at the club. Call me a Dinosaur, old fashioned, a fuddy duddy. Whatever you like I do not care one jot! I think Muirfield has the right not to include ladies in their club if they do not want them there.
Why, Why, Why do women want to do everything we do? Do they not realise men play Golf to get away from women. It is a release from all things Woman to leave the house and play golf with other male friends, have a laugh together, and get away from the hum drum of married life for just a few hours a week.
I do not give a fig what feminists have to say. Men need a few hours a week away from Women and just enjoy being a bloke.
Long live Muirfield, keep those women well away, you do not need them.

Ive got nothing to add to this as I completely agree with everthing you've said, and lets face it the blokes who back up the women are the "hen pecked" types.

 

[Andy]

Sounds a little gay. Personally I prefer my R&R surrounded by women.

Brilliant

 

[Andy]

While I am on the Open subject who was the Black guy on BBC this morning around 7am 'reporting' from Muirfield?

Mark James was called Mark Jones and Muirfield was called Muurfeld by this top notch presenter!

Hurry up and get the rights Sky please.

Absolute banger!

 

[Val]

Non story IMO, people making mischief where they not only arent wanted but they will not be able to influence. Muirfield members will make the decison not the R&A or anyone else.

 

[North Mimms]

I don't know about "men only" clubs.... Can we have an "eejit only" thread? Plenty of potential members here.
I'm off to rejoin the 21st century and leave the neanderthals to it. I pity their wives (if they exist)

 

[Foxholer]

I am never going to be convinced that any potential player in this country, would not play, simply because Muirfield is a mens only club!

Well, I know of at least 1!

 

[FairwayDodger]

Sexism is rife throughout golf. Muirfield is, if you like, the high profile tip of the iceberg. Stopping the open from going there would be purely symbolic but would at least suggest that the game's governing body was serious about making the sport welcoming and inclusive for all.

It'd be even better if women were not treated as second class members at mixed sex clubs throughout the country.

 

[Val]

Sexism is rife throughout golf. Muirfield is, if you like, the high profile tip of the iceberg. Stopping the open from going there would be purely symbolic but would at least suggest that the game's governing body was serious about making the sport welcoming and inclusive for all.

It'd be even better if women were not treated as second class members at mixed sex clubs throughout the country.

You've seen Muirfield, course and clubhouse. Do you think they would bother if the R&A pulled them from the Open rota?

Muirfield won't be bullied into it. It will only happen if their members agree to it and I cannot see that happening anytime soon.

 

[FairwayDodger]

You've seen Muirfield, course and clubhouse. Do you think they would bother if the R&A pulled them from the Open rota?

Muirfield won't be bullied into it. It will only happen if their members agree to it and I cannot see that happening anytime soon.

No of course they wouldn't. It's sad and sexist but legal so let them bumble on; it'll change eventually, I hope, but only when male society takes a more enlightened view towards women.

Meantime lets try and show that these places are not typical of golf and take the open elsewhere. Yes muirfield is a great course but the are plenty of others to choose from.

 

[USER1999]

Are the r and a any worse than the lgu, who have taken the Curtis cup to muirfield twice?

 

[SAPCOR1]

Are the r and a any worse than the lgu, who have taken the Curtis cup to muirfield twice?

Good point