I originally posted this on Twitter (meg_maclaren) on 20/5/20. Not because I have all the answers or reasons or solutions, just because I felt it needed to be said:
Please please bear with me, because I’m more tired than anyone of the supply and demand argument when it comes to gender equality in golf.
This isn’t a woke millennial take on having every possible demographic equally represented at the highest level. I can’t speak for others and how they feel or are valued, I don’t have that experience. But I have experience of how it can feel to be a female in this world. That’s the point that keeps getting missed.
Ultimately, it’s just about respect. That’s all.
If I told you the number one player in the world broke a nearly 20 year old record held by Tiger Woods when she went 114 consecutive holes without a bogey, would you be impressed?
If I told you a rookie had a win, more top 10s and more runner up finishes than Robert McIntyre last year, would you be able to name her?
If I told you someone gained their first professional victory in 119 attempts, would you be inspired?
If I told you the 2019 leading PGA Tour player in GIR averaged 73.06%… and 27 LPGA players averaged higher than that, what would you say? Would you tell me the courses are shorter so it’s irrelevant? Would you tell me they probably falsified their data, as one male tour pro insinuated the last time I tweeted about GIR stats?
Have you ever thought about how opportunity creates opportunity, or how success breeds success, or how talent pushes talent? How many elite female golfers do we miss out on because they can’t see their worth? Can’t see a role model in the magazine they pick up, because out of almost 200 pictures in a leading publication there isn’t one of a woman? Can’t see a role model on the first five pages of the golf section on a national news site because it appears women’s tours don’t exist?
Time after time, through complete silence, we’re told that our abilities and achievements as golfers simply don’t matter to the average golf fan. That they are less important, because they weren’t achieved by a man. Can you begin to understand how that feels?
And if we dare to point that out, we are told that the interest just isn’t there. That we don’t engage, don’t entertain, aren’t worthy of your time in the way that men are. Why? Because our skills aren’t as great? Really?
Men’s sport dominates primarily because in the beginning and ever since, people with power (…men) chose to invest in it.
Yet as fans of golf, like me, you’re probably impressed by the achievements listed above. The individuals concerned would command your respect, if you knew about them. If you’ve got this far in my post you probably already do.
I know times are changing- I’m lucky to be in an era where we can even discuss this. And I f***ing love getting to do what I do for a living… but it’s 2020 and just look at some of the comments.
I’m not demanding you become a fan of women’s golf. Each to their own, genuinely. But everyone needs to recognise that our choice to be a fan is shaped by the way the world works. Not necessarily by us.
Well said, unarguably presented, almost dissent proof…in a perfect world. Thanks for leading us, hopefully, toward an improved one.
I have to agree with you. As an older male golfer with a high handicap, I enjoy the LPGA tour immensely There is so much more “personality” in it. While I do enjoy the mens’ game as well, it is much more methodical. I enjoy your writings and good luck with your career on and off the links.