Well done R&A

[CheltenhamHacker]

Equality works both ways, so yes in principal it is the same argument.

No it isn't. This argument has been repeated and discussed ad infinitum, and the long and short of it is that it isn't the same.

You see how few women play sports/go to the gym compared to men? And you really want to make that an even smaller amount by getting rid of female only gyms? Brilliant.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

No it isn't. This argument has been repeated and discussed ad infinitum, and the long and short of it is that it isn't the same.

You see how few women play sports/go to the gym compared to men? And you really want to make that an even smaller amount by getting rid of female only gyms? Brilliant.

You missed my point, I don't want to get rid of female gyms and similarly I don't want to get rid of male only clubs (in whatever walk of life).

 

[JustOne]

Interestingly I have a ladies only gym down the road from my office, its about the same distance as the mixed gym of which I am a member. Do you think I should exert my legal right (as a man) to join the ladies ONLY gym and hence potentially spoil the enjoyment for a whole host of lady members, or simply maintain the status quo and stay at the club where the rules welcome me?

Is the right answer..... although be prepared,,,,, it might take 260yrs until that gym allows male members

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I think you can have male only clubs/organisations and female only clubs/organisation. No problem. However they should not receive central govt/lottery/sporting body funding, nor should they be used for prestige tournaments. Only clubs that are open to all should receive funding or the prestige of holding tournaments in the case of golf.

Personally I think it is unthinkable that The Open should be held at an all male club and long overdue that the R & A have only now changed their stance.

 

[Hacker Khan]

You missed my point, I don't want to get rid of female gyms and similarly I don't want to get rid of male only clubs (in whatever walk of life).

Even when that male only club are the guardians of a billion dollar world wide sport, played by people of both sexes?

To me a woman wanting to join that club will be seen as a step forwards for fairness, equality and a small but important part in changing the image of the game. A man wanting to join a womens only gym would be seen as a pervert.

 

[JustOne]

Even when that male only club are the guardians of a billion dollar world wide sport, played by people of both sexes?

I don't think they ever stopped women from PLAYING golf. They just don't have their own knitting room in the clubhouse.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

There appears to be a certain amount of confusion and ignorance on this issue.

It is the R&A (formed in 2004) which organises the Open Championship and is the rule-making body for gol outside North America.

It is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (a private members golf club founded in 1754) which has now decided to admit woman members.

They are two separate bodies and the significance of yesterday's vote is being exaggerated.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

There appears to be a certain amount of confusion and ignorance on this issue.

It is the R&A (formed in 2004) which organises the Open Championship and is the rule-making body for gol outside North America.

It is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (a private members golf club founded in 1754) which has now decided to admit woman members.

They are two separate bodies and the significance of yesterday's vote is being exaggerated.

Symbolism is a very powerful tool. Don't underestimate it

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Symbolism is a very powerful tool. Don't underestimate it

Symbolic gestures generally prove futile in the long term.

If the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers or Royal St Georges Golf Club, each of whom host the Open Championship on courses they own, it would be far more significant. Unfortunately neither organisation is, as yet, showing signs of making such an enlightened change.

As it is women golfers are not really gaining very much from yesterday's vote beyond the possibility of a very small number being offered membership of an anachronistic club.

 

[North Mimms]

I don't think they ever stopped women from PLAYING golf. They just don't have their own knitting room in the clubhouse.

So unfair. The men have a knitting room. Pah!

 

[6inchcup]

Which an increasing number of people aren't.

and what is the problem with that,if you dont wish to abide by the rules DONT join a club,why change the rules to become more down market,the clubs that continue to be based in tradition will still attract members,its the anyone can join wear what you like we are just after your money brigade that will suffer and good riddance to them.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

and what is the problem with that,if you dont wish to abide by the rules DONT join a club,why change the rules to become more down market,the clubs that continue to be based in tradition will still attract members,its the anyone can join wear what you like we are just after your money brigade that will suffer and good riddance to them.

Umm i think you may have that the wrong way around - believe the clubs that relax their atitude towards dress codes will actually thrive as opposed to ones that demand the strict dress code - Ashridge perfect example - struggling

 

[Hacker Khan]

and what is the problem with that,if you dont wish to abide by the rules DONT join a club,why change the rules to become more down market,the clubs that continue to be based in tradition will still attract members,its the anyone can join wear what you like we are just after your money brigade that will suffer and good riddance to them.

God forbid golf goes downmarket and lets anyone join a club. I agree, good riddance to them as they are doing the future of the sport no favours whatsoever.

 

[6inchcup]

God forbid golf goes downmarket and lets anyone join a club. I agree, good riddance to them as they are doing the future of the sport no favours whatsoever.

so you think everything golf has stood for should be thrown out of the window and it should be a race to the bottom,dress code on and off the course,conduct in the club house are these things we should just let anything goes,it makes me sick when some on here join a club knowing the rules then moan and whinge on these pages about them,why should golf lower its traditions just to be popular,those that really wish to play will abide by the rules,the track suit and trainer brigade can go take a hike

 

[Deleted member 15344]

so you think everything golf has stood for should be thrown out of the window and it should be a race to the bottom,dress code on and off the course,conduct in the club house are these things we should just let anything goes,it makes me sick when some on here join a club knowing the rules then moan and whinge on these pages about them,why should golf lower its traditions just to be popular,those that really wish to play will abide by the rules,the track suit and trainer brigade can go take a hike

Or how about finding the middle ground to ensure the image is a little bit more friendly to encourage new people to play

 

[Foxholer]

Umm i think you may have that the wrong way around - believe the clubs that relax their atitude towards dress codes will actually thrive as opposed to ones that demand the strict dress code - Ashridge perfect example - struggling

I believe the significance of dress codes etc is greatly exaggerated when it comes to whether a club is struggling or not! For your 1 example of a club that is struggling, I could give you 20 examples of 'strict' dress code clubs that are doing very well! Likewise, there are plenty of informal clubs that are struggling as well!

Back On Topic....

There appears to be a certain amount of confusion and ignorance on this issue.

It is the R&A (formed in 2004) which organises the Open Championship and is the rule-making body for gol outside North America.

It is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (a private members golf club founded in 1754) which has now decided to admit woman members.

They are two separate bodies and the significance of yesterday's vote is being exaggerated.

While you are correct, the R&A Golf Club was, for over 100 years, the guardian of the Rules, ran The Open and was 'responsible for the development of the game'! And they are still very much linked - R&A CEO is the Secretary or R&AGC, the committees of R&A are dominated by R&AGC members etc.

So from a real point of view as well as a perception 'one' - more important to 'Joe/Jill Public' they are the same body!

Will it mean that any of the other single sex Clubs that use St Andrews allow the other to join? I think probably not as they are probably content with/prefer the current situation.

 

[Hacker Khan]

so you think everything golf has stood for should be thrown out of the window and it should be a race to the bottom,dress code on and off the course,conduct in the club house are these things we should just let anything goes,it makes me sick when some on here join a club knowing the rules then moan and whinge on these pages about them,why should golf lower its traditions just to be popular,those that really wish to play will abide by the rules,the track suit and trainer brigade can go take a hike

Who said anything about throwing everything golf stands for out the window? Do you really think the principal of letting anyone join a club means throwing everything golf stands for out the window?? If so it's a bit sad. As LP said, there is a middle ground.

 

[triple_bogey]

so you think everything golf has stood for should be thrown out of the window and it should be a race to the bottom,dress code on and off the course,conduct in the club house are these things we should just let anything goes,it makes me sick when some on here join a club knowing the rules then moan and whinge on these pages about them,why should golf lower its traditions just to be popular,those that really wish to play will abide by the rules,the track suit and trainer brigade can go take a hike

My my............has there been an influx of white vans parked up at you're club lately? :rofl: