This has bothered me for a while but I thought maybe I was overreacting. I am pretty sure I am not. I understand that traditionally golf is a man’s sport.  I have played for a little over 10 years sparingly but more consistently over the last year. I have often felt uncomfortable on courses because I am not a seasoned golfer. I am very careful not to slow the game down or bother anyone which are common male complaints of women golfers. I think golf is the hardest sport for women to really get involved in. I should note here that it is not only the men that create a barrier for new women golfers. Seasoned women golfers can also make things difficult.

A recent article in Golf Digest really confirmed my thoughts about how differently women are treated in the sport. Here are my complaints/observations in regards to the barrier to entry:

1. It starts with gear.  I am really over the color pink. I am not sure if any other women golfers feel this way, but it looks like the womens section has been hosed down with pepto bismol (line from Steel Magnolias but applies here too). I have noticed so frequently that I took some pictures a few months ago to back myself up. I for one do not want a pink bag, pink shorts, pink top, grandma hats, or  – believe it or not – a pink sparkly ball to play with. They wonder why women get a bad reputation – give us some serious equipment, please.

2. Treatment in stores. Golf Galaxy is the worst although I think they generally dislike all women and males who are not scratch golfers – that is just my opinion.  Every time I go there to test a club I feel like I have to prove that I am good enough to even be trying a club in their store. I have learned that Golfsmith is a much more women-friendly, laid back store so I recommend going there instead.  Disclaimer – they still have an overwhelming supply of pink but I think that is unavoidable.

3. On the course. I am often filled with anxiety when my husband and I go out to play as a twosome because we will mostly likely have to be paired with other golfers. It has come to the point that I actually feel like we shouldn’t golf unless we have 4 people. We have gotten blown off by male golfers completely or they will start without us and act like they didn’t know they were paired with us.  Or, they will politely tell the workers ‘no’ and then we have to wait. It is hard for me not to take it personally and it really hurts my confidence when playing. Lastly, especially when you are paired with 2 other male golfers, they always forget to stop at the women’s tee box. I understand if it happens once but that is generally not the case.

I still love golf and won’t stop because of the items listed above but I feel like it shouldn’t be so hard. Golf is a fantastic game and I think more women would play if it were encouraged a little more. First step…anyone want to help me start a line of women’s golf gear without the color pink?

What are your thoughts? Did I miss anything?

Melissa DeCicco

Melissa is a wiz at crazy facial expressions, golfs at every chance possible, and loves super uncomfortable shoes. A dedicated Dolly Parton fan, she purchased Dollywood season passes several years in a row (it’s 500 miles away) and finally met her in 2004 – she ROCKS!

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