Scottish Golf

[Tashyboy]

Reading on the BBC site about the men's and women's golf being amalgamated and now becoming known as Scottish golf.

one of its "key goals" is to increase club membership and make golf more of a family sport.

However, inaugural chair Eleanor Cannon has said that the fact there are still men only clubs in Scotland and they have waiting lists to join said clubs is not an issue.

Is it an issue?

It seems like there trying to improve golf in Scotland with one hand tied behind there backs.

 

[Spuddy]

Reading on the BBC site about the men's and women's golf being amalgamated and now becoming known as Scottish golf.

one of its "key goals" is to increase club membership and make golf more of a family sport.

However, inaugural chair Eleanor Cannon has said that the fact there are still men only clubs in Scotland and they have waiting lists to join said clubs is not an issue.

Is it an issue?

It seems like there trying to improve golf in Scotland with one hand tied behind there backs.

There are women only clubs as well.

 

[Tashyboy]

There are women only clubs as well.

Does that mean then they are trying To improve membership with both hands tied behind there backs. How can you make it a family sport if there are men only or women only clubs.

is this not one of the reasons why golf is struggling ?

 

[ger147]

Does that mean then they are trying To improve membership with both hands tied behind there backs. How can you make it a family sport if there are men only or women only clubs.

is this not one of the reasons why golf is struggling ?

Not in my opinion no as there are so few of them on either side.

 

[patricks148]

Does that mean then they are trying To improve membership with both hands tied behind there backs. How can you make it a family sport if there are men only or women only clubs.

is this not one of the reasons why golf is struggling ?

No, there are only a couple of clubs that have single sex only membership and the mens ones in particular are very exclusive so 99.9 % of the population regardless of sex would get in anyway.

Golf In Scotland is a much more family and community sport than England, up here there are small villages with with great golf courses that cost little to be members of.

But lack of population and in particularly young people in some parts are a main contributor to falling memberships up here anyway.

 

[Spuddy]

No, there are only a couple of clubs that have single sex only membership and the mens ones in particular are very exclusive so 99.9 % of the population regardless of sex would get in anyway.

Golf In Scotland is a much more family and community sport than England, up here there are small villages with with great golf courses that cost little to be members of.

But lack of population and in particularly young people in some parts are a main contributor to falling memberships up here anyway.

I agree. The single sex clubs are so few and exclusive that they won't have any real affect on game development. My club has a thriving junior section due mostly to the hard work that the pro does to provide free coaching sessions and various events throughout the year. The club realised a few years ago that the more family orientated they make the place then the more people will spend time there. It's rare that you go in now without having kids in with their parents having lunch or having a go on the putting green/range. It's great to see.

 

[FairwayDodger]

It's certainly going to be interesting to see how it works out. A couple of weeks ago I played in the Scottish county finals which, it transpired, was the last event to be run by the SLGA. While I think we're all broadly in favour of amalgamation, it was a bittersweet moment when that was mentioned at the prize-giving.

My concern will be seeing how the new body balances the needs and development of both the men's and women's game; with the obvious fear that the women might end up playing "second fiddle". However, I don't think that will happen!

Single sex clubs are a bit of a red herring in this regard but they do undoubtedly attract negative PR that we could do without.

 

[patricks148]

No, there are only a couple of clubs that have single sex only membership and the mens ones in particular are very exclusive so 99.9 % of the population regardless of sex would get in anyway.

Golf In Scotland is a much more family and community sport than England, up here there are small villages with with great golf courses that cost little to be members of.

But lack of population and in particularly young people in some parts are a main contributor to falling memberships up here anyway.

Sorry that's 99.9 % wouldn't get in.

 

[Tashyboy]

No, there are only a couple of clubs that have single sex only membership and the mens ones in particular are very exclusive so 99.9 % of the population regardless of sex would get in anyway.

Golf In Scotland is a much more family and community sport than England, up here there are small villages with with great golf courses that cost little to be members of.

But lack of population and in particularly young people in some parts are a main contributor to falling memberships up here anyway.

That post has answered me question👍.

It it just seemed a bit odd that Eleanor was trying to bring golf back to the families whilst mentioning male only clubs, and fairway dodger hit the nail on the head mentioning the negative PR that it brings with it.

The part where you mention re golf being a family and community sport is something I think our club can relate to. It does get loads of kids turning up. Suppose it helps being within easy walking distance of Southwell.

 

[Crawfy]

I agree that although same sex clubs are poor PR, their direct impact on overall club membership is low.
Making golf a family concern is the way forward and is a major factor in my choice of any future club.
An improved family environment is also the gateway for kids to access the game - via an introduction from an older member of the family.
Provide for them (facilities), make it affordable, make them feel welcome, and encourage their participation...and you will grow membership (male, female, young or old)

 

[daverollo]

Looks very much like typical BBC selective reporting to me. You can picture the scene, enthusiastic launch party with a fanfare and balloons (607 to represent each affiliated club in Scotland) and then onto questions from the assembled press.

All the BBC want to talk about is 'male only clubs' and focus their reporting around their own agenda, which is notoriously self righteous and holier than thou - w@nkers #notbitteratlosingtheopen

 

[CliveW]

I just got this email today. I'll need to think about it.



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[FairwayDodger]

Looks very much like typical BBC selective reporting to me. You can picture the scene, enthusiastic launch party with a fanfare and balloons (607 to represent each affiliated club in Scotland) and then onto questions from the assembled press.

All the BBC want to talk about is 'male only clubs' and focus their reporting around their own agenda, which is notoriously self righteous and holier than thou

There's a bit of truth in that. The male-only clubs issue is pretty irrelevant to today's event to launch the new body, and an irritating distraction, but they are anachronistic, give credence to golf's sexist reputation and will always be brought up by the media until the issue is properly addressed.

But in the grand scheme of things, not a pressing issue for Scottish Golf.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I think the single sex clubs thing is blown massively out of proportion. These clubs exist in places like St Andrews and Muirfield but it doesn't mean the courses are single sex. Are there any single sex courses in Scotland and if so, how many of the 578 are?

 

[freddielong]

I don't see the problem with this kind of exclusion there are many clubs I could not join due to the cost but that is just the way it is.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I think the single sex clubs thing is blown massively out of proportion. These clubs exist in places like St Andrews and Muirfield but it doesn't mean the courses are single sex. Are there any single sex courses in Scotland and if so, how many of the 578 are?

I agree with you up to a point but I think you're splitting hairs somewhat. There's a world of difference between the single sex clubs in St Andrews and the likes of Muirfield, Burgess etc.

However, we've been round the houses on this many times and I don't want to derail what could be an interesting thread on the future of Scottish Golf.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Hopefully all the unions will follow suit

Makes sense to have all golf for the country under one umbrella

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I agree with you up to a point but I think you're splitting hairs somewhat. There's a world of difference between the single sex clubs in St Andrews and the likes of Muirfield, Burgess etc.

However, we've been round the houses on this many times and I don't want to derail what could be an interesting thread on the future of Scottish Golf.

Sorry but I disagree. I probably have no more desire to join St Regulus golf club than you have to join the New but we can still play all the courses so I think it's a non event personally. If either sex was barred from a course then it would be different.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Sorry but I disagree. I probably have no more desire to join St Regulus golf club than you have to join the New but we can still play all the courses so I think it's a non event personally. If either sex was barred from a course then it would be different.

Think you misinterpreted my post. I also have no great issue with the single sex clubs at St Andrews. As you correctly state, males and females both have the opportunity to join clubs that play on the links. Muirfield et al are very different. You need a willy to join a club that plays on those courses, which I think is pretty sad in this day and age.

Anyway, please, lets not argue the toss on this thread - start another if you really want to go through it again!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Think you misinterpreted my post. I also have no great issue with the single sex clubs at St Andrews. As you correctly state, males and females both have the opportunity to join clubs that play on the links. Muirfield et al are very different. You need a willy to join a club that plays on those courses, which I think is pretty sad in this day and age.

Anyway, please, lets not argue the toss on this thread - start another if you really want to go through it again!

I think you may have missed my point. Agree you can't join Muirfield club but you can play Muirfield course so is there really an issue in the grand scheme of things?

Happy to drop the subject as well.