sexism

[link80]

I've just been to check the website of the course I play as a guest and i'm hoping to join, after reading smiffy's thread about what a website should be like, and lo and behold, it's been updated and it's looking much better than before. Then I see the words i've been waiting for, LIMITED OFFER - NO JOINING FEE, just as I start to get excited I then see the words LADIES ONLY. So now not only am I expected to pay £600 pound more than others because none of my family are members, but also because i'm a male. Fair enough i've never seen a woman under 50 at the club, and I play on tuesdays which is ladies day, but to tell the truth I don't see that many men under 50 either. Does anyone elses club run this offer and what do you think about it.

 

[MKDave]

Wish my club would to that! We bloody need some talent!

 

[Macster]

With the recent 'Equality Act' coming into force, I'd be interested to know if that is allowable or not, - might be worth a call to the Club Secretary pointing out that you would be very keen to join.......if only the Joining Fee didnt apply to Men too ?

 

[HRC99]

There is provision within the Equalities Act for clubs to seek to increase membership from under-represented demographic sections.

If the club considers that women are under-represented, they are perfectly entitled to waive joining fees or discount membership to try to ensure a more representative demographic.

 

[DCB]

A lot will also depend on whether the ladies are full members like the gents or are they on a restricted membership ?

 

[daymond]

SEX CHANGE!!!!!!

 

[Fyldewhite]

A lot will also depend on whether the ladies are full members like the gents or are they on a restricted membership ?

Arrangements like this are exactly the ones which will fall foul of the equality act. It's fine to have a restricted membership category but you can't just limit it to ladies as this is discriminating against men who may want to join on the reduced fee option. As for the OP, as already pointed out, it is fine to offer incentives to under represented groups but once the balance is achieved the joining fee would have to be restored for all or abolished for all.

 

[HRC99]

As for the OP, as already pointed out, it is fine to offer incentives to under represented groups but once the balance is achieved the joining fee would have to be restored for all or abolished for all.

In theory, yes. But in practice, is any golf club going to achieve near parity to reflect the gender split in the UK?

Doubtful.

 

[drawboy]

Mrs Doubtfire springs to mind mate

 

[Fyldewhite]

As for the OP, as already pointed out, it is fine to offer incentives to under represented groups but once the balance is achieved the joining fee would have to be restored for all or abolished for all.

In theory, yes. But in practice, is any golf club going to achieve near parity to reflect the gender split in the UK?

Doubtful.

Ah, there is the million dollar question. I didn't say "parity" I said "balance". Whether that is 50% or could ever be expected to be 50% is doubtful IMO so in theory a waiving of joining fee for ladies could effectively be permanent ..... which is directly against what the law is supposed to achieve ie discriminatory. Like all new laws it will no doubt be tested in due course. One point though is that clubs are not forced to do this so once they get the number of lady members up to what they want they will probably end the offer.

 

[chrisd]

If I remember from the EGU edict on the Equality laws it isn't a question of getting an equal balance of men/ladies its just if it can be justified that a part of the club is under represented, just as HRC99 has said earlier.


Chris

 

[Yerman]

But can you imagine the sh1t that would hit the fan if it was women being asked to pay the joining fee??