The Club. 1994 Channel 4 Documentary.

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Doesn’t your golf club have a drawing room…that room to the side of the dining room where the lady members withdraw to when us gentlemen members do cigars and pass the port…?

No…mine neither.

And I can confirm without risk of contradiction that neither did Filton Golf in Bristol in 1994, nor was it anything like Northwood of 1994. That said I cannot confirm same about B&C…

 

[D-S]

Doesn’t your golf club have a drawing room…that room to the side of the dining room where the lady members withdraw to when us gentlemen members do cigars and pass the port…?

No…mine neither.

And I can confirm without risk of contradiction that neither did Filton Golf in Bristol in 1994, nor was it anything like Northwood of 1994. That said I cannot confirm same about B&C…

I joined B&C in 1996 with my wife and I can assure you despite prejudices of some, even then it was more progressive than other clubs in the area with regard to inclusion of women and juniors, dress codes, school and disability community coaching etc. (we wouldn’t have joined otherwise) For instance 15 years ago or more we have offered free Junior membership for the children of member parent, guardians and grandparents (unsurprisingly resulting in a large thriving Junior section that won Junior club of the year last year)
Sadly up until last year we had a couple of local clubs which had men only competitions almost every Saturday until mid afternoon, something that went by the board at B&C in the 90s.

 

[batchworth]

I belong to Batchworth, which is just down the road from Northwood and joined it in 2002.
When I was actually looking to join a club then (first time ever being a member somewhere), I went to Northwood first to enquire, as was passing it from work. Walked into the clubhouse (late afternoon / midweek), and there was two senior members actually asleep in seperate corners of the room and they were the only ones there. I waited a while and then a member of staff walked in and asked what I wanted, to which I said I was interested in joining a local club. His reply was to tell me to wait in the far corner (and he even pointed to highlight where!), whilst he went and got someone.
A few minutes later someone did actually come out to see me and asked abruptly if they could help me - I just replied no and made my way out, no way did I want to a member of somewhere like that.

Got in my car and drove 3 minutes down the road to Batchworth Park, walked into the reception and there was no one there,but a member walked out from the bar, asked if I was okay and said could he help. He then went on to show me around all the place, told me all about being a member and then proceeded to buy me a pint! - Knew straight way that was the place for me.

 

[sunshine]

I found nothing surprising with regards to the snobbishness, misogyny and racism depicted from a 1994 golf club. I found that type of thing abominable at the time.
But t depended on the type of club and also the geographical place at the time.
I played at Barnsley municipal in 1971 and it was nothing like that. Western Park municipal in Leicester later 1970s was also nothing like that.
Right across the UK, the type of golf club depicted in the documentary was not very typical. But in the southeast of England it was not unusual.

Comparing municipal golf courses to a private club is not comparing apples with apples, especially 30+ years ago. I'm sure there were private clubs in Yorkshre and Leicestershire full of snobbish and misogynistic people.

Next to Northwood GC is a municipal course called Haste Hill - I bet there was no snobbishness there in 1994.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I joined B&C in 1996 with my wife and I can assure you despite prejudices of some, even then it was more progressive than other clubs in the area with regard to inclusion of women and juniors, dress codes, school and disability community coaching etc. (we wouldn’t have joined otherwise) For instance 15 years ago or more we have offered free Junior membership for the children of member parent, guardians and grandparents (unsurprisingly resulting in a large thriving Junior section that won Junior club of the year last year)
Sadly up until last year we had a couple of local clubs which had men only competitions almost every Saturday until mid afternoon, something that went by the board at B&C in the 90s.

You know I was joking…I hope…

 

[Voyager EMH]

Comparing municipal golf courses to a private club is not comparing apples with apples, especially 30+ years ago. I'm sure there were private clubs in Yorkshre and Leicestershire full of snobbish and misogynistic people.

Next to Northwood GC is a municipal course called Haste Hill - I bet there was no snobbishness there in 1994.

My point exactly.
I was not comparing municipals and private clubs - I was indicating that not all clubs were so snobbish - there were plenty that were very different from this.
It was not typical of golf in general across the country - possibly giving non-golfers a false impression.
But it was not an unusual golf club for its place and time. It was a fair and accurate depiction of many clubs.

 

[sunshine]

My point exactly.
I was not comparing municipals and private clubs - I was indicating that not all clubs were so snobbish - there were plenty that were very different from this.
It was not typical of golf in general across the country - possibly giving non-golfers a false impression.
But it was not an unusual golf club for its place and time. It was a fair and accurate depiction of many clubs.

You stated that the attitude at Northwood was prevalent in south east England. I don't think it's a regional thing, rather more to do with social status.

 

[jim8flog]

I have not watched the documentary but can imagine it from some of the comments.
Having been a member at the same club since 1986 and have played as a visitor at a lot of the 'prestigous' clubs in Dorset / Somerset I can say I have seen the changes through the years and a lot of those attitudes pervaded in a lot of clubs back then. Many of the attitudes that persisted in a lot of the clubs would not be acceptable in this day and age.

Some of the stories about the attitudes to women (that still exist with some gents) were unbelievable. We used to have a bar that was men only and (from memory) a ban on ladies playing on Saturday morning. Both long gone.

It was jackets and ties in the dining room and in the bar after 6pm, jackets and ties required for the AGM and presentation evening.

 

[D-S]

My wife and I took up golf seriously in the early 90’s and then it was not untypical for clubs to have a men only bar and we would be ushered into some sort of ‘mixed lounge’. We visited Scotland and often and it was seemingly more prevalent then there than in England when I can only recall this in a couple of clubs, but perhaps we were just unlucky.
This seemed to change very rapidly by the late 90s as did a lot of the other Northwood stereotypes but not enough of them or quickly enough.

 

[IanM]

There are very few Northwoods these days (thankfully) and keeping some traditions doesn't equate to misogyny etc either.

 

[cliveb]

Just in case anyone is wondering, Northwood is nothing like that these days.
Regarding their attitude to women...
When Bushey Hall closed a few years ago and their members were looking for somewhere to go, I heard that Northwood told men they could only join if their wives also joined.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Of course there's clubs akin to the attitudes shown by Northwood even now, but that's people choice to be part of that. Im glad theres much less like it, but it's there choice and I say let them get on with it.
Do I want to be or play there?...no chance. It just shows me the attitude of some of the residents of that area around that time.
I don't think the program in anyway is representative of golf clubs across the country and even less so now.

 

[Orikoru]

Just in case anyone is wondering, Northwood is nothing like that these days.
Regarding their attitude to women...
When Bushey Hall closed a few years ago and their members were looking for somewhere to go, I heard that Northwood told men they could only join if their wives also joined.

So now they're simply homophobic instead!

 

[Voyager EMH]

You stated that the attitude at Northwood was prevalent in south east England. I don't think it's a regional thing, rather more to do with social status.

Please do not misquote me.
There is a significant difference between "prevalent" and "not unusual".

But in the southeast of England it was not unusual.

I believe my ten words there are not wrong. Similar clubs elsewhere in the UK - undoubtedly.
The club depicted was in the southeast of England. Was such a club a rare thing there? I say it was not. It was not unusual.

 

[Red devil]

Preston Lockwood in his pvc fetish gear

A latter day Peter Wyngarde

 

[AussieKB]

When I first played Gullane in the late 80's I asked my playing partner was the little shed next to the clubhouse for the caddies......

His reply was....no it was the Ladies Clubhouse.

Am sure it has changed by now.....

Also I played in a 72 hole comp that year, after playing No.2 course I was first into the clubhouse, just me the chap receiving the scorecards and the barman.....

I asked for a pint, the barman asked if I had played No.1 course.....I said no No.2 but I was playing No1. tomorrow.

His reply was if I had not played No.1 course he could not serve me.....I thought it was a joke, but no.

Went over the road to the pub where everyone in the tournament ended up, about 100 of us.

Next day I entered the clubhouse and handed in my card and the same barman asked if I would like a drink......

My reply was if my money was not good enough yesterday then it was not good enough today......he looked shocked, went across the road to the pub.

Majority of the field ended up there......

 

[IanM]

I remember in the mid 90s a group from where I worked did a Southport trip. Last day was Formby...We had two ladies in the group. After the round they wouldn't allow them in the Clubhouse.

Seems unthinkable now. Mind you it seemed bonkers back then.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I remember in the mid 90s a group from where I worked did a Southport trip. Last day was Formby...We had two ladies in the group. After the round they wouldn't allow them in the Clubhouse.

Seems unthinkable now. Mind you it seemed bonkers back then.

But,,,that was 30 years ago. Think how things had changed when people in the 70's viewed the 40's or any era looking back 30 yrs.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

But,,,that was 30 years ago. Think how things had changed when people in the 70's viewed the 40's or any era looking back 30 yrs.

My FiL is 88, incredibly sexist, oblivious to the fact that he is incredibly sexist. Stopped playing golf a few years ago now but I can guarantee he'd watch this programme and see nothing wrong with it. Times move on, thankfully.

What was acceptable, in general society, has changed hugely since this was filmed. (For any females reading, I know equality has not fully arrived but blimey it's better than it used to be)

 

[Bunkermagnet]

My FiL is 88, incredibly sexist, oblivious to the fact that he is incredibly sexist. Stopped playing golf a few years ago now but I can guarantee he'd watch this programme and see nothing wrong with it. Times move on, thankfully.

What was acceptable, in general society, has changed hugely since this was filmed. (For any females reading, I know equality has not fully arrived but blimey it's better than it used to be)

I finished watching the whole thing now, and 2 things really struck me. The first was how well spoken (posh sounding for us common people) everyone was other than the greenstaff, and second was the subtley stated influence of the local Masons, which I remember at that time was a desease that pervades lot's of important parts of society, the most high profile of the time being the effect it was having on the Police at all levels.