Why Is Course Rating Different For Men And Women Off The Same Tees?

When I was commissioned to write this article, my immediate thought was, “Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? Statistically, and working on averages, female golfers don’t hit it as far as male golfers do, and those differences in average hitting distances need to be reflected in different course ratings for men and women.”

But when that commissioning editor came back with, “Why should a woman who hits it a long way enjoy a higher course rating than an older man who doesn’t hit it as far off the same tees?” my confidence in my original answer began to waver a little.