I’m a coach that works in the golf industry, but I am no longer fully immersed in golf club life in the same way I once was. That’s why I’m a fan of Facebook’s Women’s Golf Lounge, as I enjoy seeing the posts of successes, days out on different courses, but most of all, I love seeing posts seeking the wisdom of the crowd.
This is where the true spirit of the group shines through; supportive, encouraging, and full of shared passion for the game. It’s a wonderful reminder that golf is as much about community as it is about competition.
Now and again you get a corker of a question that really sparks debate. One such question recently was from an anonymous poster asking what other clubs do regarding junior girls playing in women’s competitions.
Their two main points of discontentment were that she doesn’t pay the same membership fee and that she was preventing another woman from qualifying.
Before even opening the comments, my gut reaction was a solid…ridiculous! And the vast majority of comments agreed. Yet, as is always the case with a post of this nature, there were one or two counter points debating why she shouldn’t be allowed to play.
The argument about paying a lesser membership fee simply doesn’t hold up. The purpose of a junior membership is to make the game accessible and serve as an investment in a club’s future.
Some argue that junior members should stick to their own competitions, as they already have enough opportunities to play. While I can understand this feeling, it overlooks the beautiful thing about golf. It is one of the few sports where all ages and abilities can mix and play together on an even playing field. This inclusivity should be embraced. As a junior, I learned far more from playing with adults than I did with other juniors.
Another commenter tactically said they like having separate women’s competitions because they don’t want to spend their leisure time with children. This is a valid point, however, I’d counter that one of the best things about being a member is having the opportunity to play with different age groups from all walks of life and becoming part of a…
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