If you’re anything like me, your must-watch list or favourite podcasts will all come from recommendations. Because after all, who really has time for endless scrolling?
That’s why we’ve launched Women & Golf loves: A round up of TV, films and podcasts we think our members will love.
Whether you’re a golf addict or have just taken up the game, this is for you. We’ll recommend things we’ve enjoyed that we think will help you get fitter, support your mental health or improve your game. Or, like this week’s feature, anything that challenges the status quo when it comes to women’s golf.
Women in golf: Breaking with tradition
This week, I caught up on the documentary, “Women in golf: Breaking with tradition.”
It’s an honest insight into the world of women’s golf, sharing perspectives from industry experts, Tour players and amateur golfers. It even features the untold story of 12 brave young women who gave up their amateur status to form what is now the Ladies European Tour.
Some of it is really inspiring and some of it is downright depressing. Women’s golf has come such a long way, but it’s clear from the documentary that it’s been a super slow burner – slower than arguably any other sport – and there’s still such a long way to go.
“How has golf changed? Not that much to be honest.”
As the narrator says, golf’s image hasn’t really changed in the last century. The game is still very much seen as a sport for wealthy men. And although women are keen to try golf, they’re very quick to leave because they feel uncomfortable and intimidated.
What I loved about the documentary
The documentary covered the usual barriers to participation: outdated dress codes, lack of time for women and the cultural changes golf needs to make for women to feel comfortable and stay in the game.
But what I liked most about the documentary is that it touched on things that no one else in the industry is really talking about. Like the use of the word “ladies” instead of “women”.
BBC Golf Correspondent Iain Carter explained how we say Women’s World Cup, women’s cricket team, etc, but we still use this really outdated language in women’s golf. We don’t refer to male golfers as “gentleman”. So why are female golfers “ladies”? It’s not helped by the Ladies European Tour and the Ladies Professional Golfers Association, but it’s totally tone-deaf. And it’s alienating a whole generation of potential new golfers.
The documentary also went into some detail about course set-up and the lack of consideration for women. Courses are designed by men for men; and so often women’s tees are just plonked further forward with no thought about landing areas, club selection, etc. That means that for most women, the course isn’t being played the way the designer intended it to be.
Something else I hadn’t really thought about before, the documentary talked about the inconsistent experience that women will face in golf, depending on what course they go to. Some clubs are completely inclusive and accessible, and some still restrict which bar women can sit in or what time they can tee off. I haven’t really considered it before but that must have a huge impact on women’s participation in golf overall.
The other thing I found really interesting was the interview with Dame Laura Davies. She explained that, in fact, the prize money gap between the men’s and women’s games used to be far smaller. And that the turning point came after Tiger Woods broke onto the scene. He changed everything, with record-breaking sponsorships. Then suddenly, brands placed a much higher value on the men’s game.
Sky Sports presenter Inci Mehmet echoed Davies’ comments as she comments that everyone knows who Tiger Woods is. But unless you play golf, you’re unlikely to have heard of Anika. And the media have a big role to play in that.
I won’t give any more of the documentary away, but I will say that it is genuinely interesting, thought-provoking and well worth a watch. It raises some really important points that if considered across the industry, really have the power to transform the women’s game.
Women in golf: Breaking with tradition is available to download and watch now on Sky Sports. Have a watch and let us know what you think! And remember to look out for more Women & Golf loves features coming soon.
