Women’s professional golf - does anyone care?

[Jacko_G]

Of course the Johnny Walker was on the schedule until 2013 and there is not even a discussion about reprising that.

Someone else would have taken the slot. Johnnie Walker walked away when Diageo sold off Gleneagles to a private investment group.

 

[AmandaJR]

So what was an interesting debate has become an arugment between two posters (not for the first time) playing the "I'm right, you're wrong and I'll keep on posting/responding/disagreeing until..."

I guess until everyone else who had an interest in the original topic has long given up and finally one of you does!

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Assuming that a new market catchment is required for the ladies sport to increase viewing figures and get sponsorship, not to sure which order it really happens in. And assuming that market is mainly a lady audience based (pass don't know just kind of guessing) or how do you get more men interested/watching the ladies game ?

Not that there was much ladies golf on nowtv when I had it or on normal tv in the uk but I assume in asia areas there will be, why is that ?

Does anyone know that many ladies that watch a lot of golf (ladies when available or even the mens golf) or thinking about it going further afield watches masses of other sport on a regular basis.

Have to be honest and say any ladies I know do not watch masses of sport on a regular basis, as a percentage I assume it is low in the UK, maybe that is the big problem and how do you address that? is it a brought up as a child thing?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Assuming that a new market catchment is required for the ladies sport to increase viewing figures and get sponsorship, not to sure which order it really happens in. And assuming that market is mainly a lady audience based (pass don't know just kind of guessing) or how do you get more men interested/watching the ladies game ?

Not that there was much ladies golf on nowtv when I had it or on normal tv in the uk but I assume in asia areas there will be, why is that ?

Does anyone know that many ladies that watch a lot of golf (ladies when available or even the mens golf) or thinking about it going further afield watches masses of other sport on a regular basis.

Have to be honest and say any ladies I know do not watch masses of sport on a regular basis, as a percentage I assume it is low in the UK, maybe that is the big problem and how do you address that? is it a brought up as a child thing?

Only anecdotal evidence I realise but having recently had a conversation with several lady members at our Club who are sufficiently enthusiastic to play at least 2 or 3 times per week I discovered that they have no interest in golf beyond playing.

This came about when I realised that they had no interest in the Ryder Cup and I asked if they would have been interested had it been, say the Solheim Trophy.

Their response was that they merely wanted to play and that was the limit of their interest in the game.

If these women can't be bothered then it's hard to see what can be done to involve those who, as yet, haven't shown any interest.

 

[Wolf]

Assuming that a new market catchment is required for the ladies sport to increase viewing figures and get sponsorship, not to sure which order it really happens in. And assuming that market is mainly a lady audience based (pass don't know just kind of guessing) or how do you get more men interested/watching the ladies game ?

Not that there was much ladies golf on nowtv when I had it or on normal tv in the uk but I assume in asia areas there will be, why is that ?

Does anyone know that many ladies that watch a lot of golf (ladies when available or even the mens golf) or thinking about it going further afield watches masses of other sport on a regular basis.

Have to be honest and say any ladies I know do not watch masses of sport on a regular basis, as a percentage I assume it is low in the UK, maybe that is the big problem and how do you address that? is it a brought up as a child thing?

Never been to Asia so hard to comment but I'd assume its something along the lines of getting youth participation in early at schools, local communities and through parents.

Over here were so backward in getting any sort of participation sport into schools, when I was a school we got early finish every Wednesday for sport related activities so I opted for golf so I could practice and play yet was told sorry no that's not a participation option had to be football, rugby, tennis or hockey.

We need to do more to encourage young boys and girls, I'd love the opportunity to have a job that aids this, local clubs and club pro could set up something with nearby school projects to get into schools and create interest through lessons or participation, as parents we can encourage more participation as well. I'd love my daughters to get into golf or sport, yet they're more encourage at school as girls they should do dance or gymnastixs as that's more feminine. My boys again not really encourage to do sports except for football or rugby.

Perhaps if clubs could somehow become more of a community hub for families etc this would generate interest, there so many variables need looking at but if I knew how to get into that field of work I'd love a chance to crack it as I think it would be great for kids in general boys and girls

 

[Jacko_G]

So what was an interesting debate has become an arugment between two posters (not for the first time) playing the "I'm right, you're wrong and I'll keep on posting/responding/disagreeing until..."

I guess until everyone else who had an interest in the original topic has long given up and finally one of you does!

And your post added what?

🤔

 

[HomerJSimpson]

So what was an interesting debate has become an arugment between two posters (not for the first time) playing the "I'm right, you're wrong and I'll keep on posting/responding/disagreeing until..."

I guess until everyone else who had an interest in the original topic has long given up and finally one of you does!

Not like both don't have previous either. A shame as it was an interesting topic. It's really hard to feel any positive vibes towards the LET and I fear if one of these events goes because sponsors withdraw then a few will go as well and the tour will crumble. Where then for the upcoming female golfers breaking through and if we can't get players onto the LPGA tour via Q school or college it's going to look bleak in a decade or so when our current Solheim players retire

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Never been to Asia so hard to comment but I'd assume its something along the lines of getting youth participation in early at schools, local communities and through parents.

Over here were so backward in getting any sort of participation sport into schools, when I was a school we got early finish every Wednesday for sport related activities so I opted for golf so I could practice and play yet was told sorry no that's not a participation option had to be football, rugby, tennis or hockey.

We need to do more to encourage young boys and girls, I'd love the opportunity to have a job that aids this, local clubs and club pro could set up something with nearby school projects to get into schools and create interest through lessons or participation, as parents we can encourage more participation as well. I'd love my daughters to get into golf or sport, yet they're more encourage at school as girls they should do dance or gymnastixs as that's more feminine. My boys again not really encourage to do sports except for football or rugby.

Perhaps if clubs could somehow become more of a community hub for families etc this would generate interest, there so many variables need looking at but if I knew how to get into that field of work I'd love a chance to crack it as I think it would be great for kids in general boys and girls

I’m the JLO at our place and we have been given funding to go in to local community centres and Schools.
All the work for schools has been done by England Golf (TriGolf) 6 weeks of 1hr coaching per week split between the school and the Golf Club.
We have a presentation pack we will give to Headteachers, it explain how the lessons will be run, how much it will cost, safeguarding procedures, names of club personnel involved (DBS cleared etc). If the school can’t offer any funding (they all have some) I can part fund and explore other ways to fund, ie, charge the kids etc.

It’s available to all schools in England through local clubs or PGA coaches.

 

[patricks148]

Not like both don't have previous either. A shame as it was an interesting topic. It's really hard to feel any positive vibes towards the LET and I fear if one of these events goes because sponsors withdraw then a few will go as well and the tour will crumble. Where then for the upcoming female golfers breaking through and if we can't get players onto the LPGA tour via Q school or college it's going to look bleak in a decade or so when our current Solheim players retire

really only one has rev, for ruining pretty much any thread they get involved in.

 

[MendieGK]

really only one has rev, for ruining pretty much any thread they get involved in.

I didn’t want to say anything but I agree. One gives honest and blunt opinions - nothing wrong with that

The other looks for reason to wind people up

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Never been to Asia so hard to comment but I'd assume its something along the lines of getting youth participation in early at schools, local communities and through parents.

Over here were so backward in getting any sort of participation sport into schools, when I was a school we got early finish every Wednesday for sport related activities so I opted for golf so I could practice and play yet was told sorry no that's not a participation option had to be football, rugby, tennis or hockey.

We need to do more to encourage young boys and girls, I'd love the opportunity to have a job that aids this, local clubs and club pro could set up something with nearby school projects to get into schools and create interest through lessons or participation, as parents we can encourage more participation as well. I'd love my daughters to get into golf or sport, yet they're more encourage at school as girls they should do dance or gymnastixs as that's more feminine. My boys again not really encourage to do sports except for football or rugby.

Perhaps if clubs could somehow become more of a community hub for families etc this would generate interest, there so many variables need looking at but if I knew how to get into that field of work I'd love a chance to crack it as I think it would be great for kids in general boys and girls

What the Ladies need is a focal player - someone charismatic who the public can relate to - Asia have multiple top players that the public know who they are , in the US there are a lot of Ladies that the tour market well and use to make the face of the game - Lexi Thompson , Michelle Wie etc and yes the tour and the players used their appeal as Ladies to try and grab sponsorship deal and telly deals

There is no one the UK public can relate too - even Hull spends most of her time in the US and Hall as good a golfer as she is doesn’t seem to be a player to grab the imagination

When you also add in the lack of any telly coverage even when the events are on then the only people who are going to go out of their way to find the coverage are golfers who like to watch

I also do think though that there is a lot being done to try and get Young girls into the game - lots of funding and events to try and get people to start and looking at the county girls coaching it’s looking like they are doing well in this area - i think there will be a lull for a while but there will be a revival at some stage - what the LET needs to do is approach the ET and see about combined events when there are men’s majors on in the US and use that gap to have it on the telly in the UK

 

[Wolf]

I’m the JLO at our place and we have been given funding to go in to local community centres and Schools.
All the work for schools has been done by England Golf (TriGolf) 6 weeks of 1hr coaching per week split between the school and the Golf Club.
We have a presentation pack we will give to Headteachers, it explain how the lessons will be run, how much it will cost, safeguarding procedures, names of club personnel involved (DBS cleared etc). If the school can’t offer any funding (they all have some) I can part fund and explore other ways to fund, ie, charge the kids etc.

It’s available to all schools in England through local clubs or PGA coaches.

That's actually good to hear then and quite enlightening, must just be my kids schools that suck.

Out of interest what age groups for schools are being targeted what proposals are there to get long term interest

 

[pendodave]

There's a lot of stuff in this thread that I have skipped (apologies).

But surely it's just a numbers game.
Only 15% of UK golfers are female.
So the market for manufacturers is tiny (so no money)
So the market for TV advertising is tiny (so no money)
So the market for corporate entertainment is tiny (so no money).
I don't think it's anyone's fault. Certainly not the female professional golfers. But the fact is that golf is not like other sports - it's mostly watched and followed by its current and past participants. So if only a small number are female golfers, then the market is going to be small.

It's a bit off topic, but I really think the best way for golf to expand is to use the health benefits of the game for the middle aged/young seniors to get the NHS or government to fund a drive to pay (or subsidise) for people to take it up. A bit too scandinavian socialist to work down here, but surely the Scots could make a go of it.
After all, Ladies football has been driven by a huge increase in grassroots support - thousands of girls play now, and that gradually increases the interest at all levels of the game.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Never been to Asia so hard to comment but I'd assume its something along the lines of getting youth participation in early at schools, local communities and through parents.

Over here were so backward in getting any sort of participation sport into schools, when I was a school we got early finish every Wednesday for sport related activities so I opted for golf so I could practice and play yet was told sorry no that's not a participation option had to be football, rugby, tennis or hockey.

We need to do more to encourage young boys and girls, I'd love the opportunity to have a job that aids this, local clubs and club pro could set up something with nearby school projects to get into schools and create interest through lessons or participation, as parents we can encourage more participation as well. I'd love my daughters to get into golf or sport, yet they're more encourage at school as girls they should do dance or gymnastixs as that's more feminine. My boys again not really encourage to do sports except for football or rugby.

Perhaps if clubs could somehow become more of a community hub for families etc this would generate interest, there so many variables need looking at but if I knew how to get into that field of work I'd love a chance to crack it as I think it would be great for kids in general boys and girls

I think a few schools and certainly a number of clubs are working hard at the grass root level. We have a thriving junior academy and run golf schools for kids in the holidays. However as with a lot of sports in the UK it seems very scatter gun and some areas do it well and in large swathes there's nothing. Clearly the conveyor belt of female talent from Asia indicates they have it cracked, certainly in terms of golf. Is that government driven (genuine question as I've no idea) and if so is that where the funding and structure comes in? In which case our golf authorities can never compete

 

[Deleted member 16999]

That's actually good to hear then and quite enlightening, must just be my kids schools that suck.

Out of interest what age groups for schools are being targeted what proposals are there to get long term interest

Not sure how “Years” work in Schools nowadays.
But our Juniors are from age 6 to 16.
Community Centres in our area are aged 6-16.
Initially School wise, I’m starting with Senior Schools so ages 11-16.

 

[Slab]

When I go back to the opening post, Women’s professional golf –does anyone care

Yeah I think a lot do (enough to justify the successes we see on various tours) Globally women’s golf seems to be in quite a good place. The LET maybe not so much, but isn’t that more to do with the management of it over the last couple of years (from what I read)

Globally I think it’s safe to say there’s more women playing golf today than ever before, more hours on TV, bigger prize funds and more media coverage all of which is fantastic, and if the LET are missing out on their share of the success/growth then more fool them and a shame for their members

Women’s pro golf is easily skilled enough and competitive enough to make for good viewing so half the job is done, the LET need to package and sell their offering which it seems to be where they are struggling... but womens golf seems to be doing more than ok

 

[Trapdraw]

Regarding women's golf in Europe not enough people care, if they did the attendances would be better, the TV coverage would be better then the sponsorship would be better.
But sadly in main land Europe golf is a minority sport, and its viewed as being played by the privileged.