{"id":84,"date":"2012-03-21T12:56:33","date_gmt":"2012-03-21T12:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/janinajacobs.com\/?p=84"},"modified":"2012-03-21T12:56:33","modified_gmt":"2012-03-21T12:56:33","slug":"women-where-are-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/golf\/instruction\/84\/women-where-are-you","title":{"rendered":"Women, Where Are You?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

U.S. Navy Admiral Craig Faller (back center) along with officers from Navy Recruiting District\/Michigan, visits the MWGA Junior Girls Golf Mentor Day at Dearborn Hills Golf Club.<\/p><\/div>\n

The golf landscape for those who play is changing\u2026\u2026…really?<\/p>\n

\u2018Roughly 40% of all new players coming into the game are women\u2019 is a quantifying phrase\u00a0that has emanated\u00a0from the\u00a0spokespersons\u00a0of several golf industry organizations\u00a0for over\u00a020 years.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, there is another statistic rarely discussed in the same breath:\u00a0 only one in four<\/em> of those new women stay with the game.\u00a0 With over 50% of the population alienated by a sport to the verge of quitting at some point in their golf life, it is time to seriously examine why and to figure out how to solve the problem.<\/p>\n

The PGA, the LPGA, the USGA, and probably every state golf association and women’s golf association in the country have been trying to figure out why women leave the game, but it can be a touchy subject, ripe for stereotyping.\u00a0 The women will give reasons but no one listens, with programs and efforts creating a band-aid false fix rather than a full bore makeover.\u00a0 Most men do not understand very much about women and how they play golf, so how then, can accessibility to the game and course design be addressed since these aspects of golf are still primarily a man’s domain?\u00a0 In a recent discussion blog on Gear Effect Golf<\/a>, a ‘Poll for Men: Women’s Distance Quiz’ was posed with two questions: 1) ‘How far do you think the average woman hits her driver, with roll?’ and 2) ‘How far do you think the average woman can carry a shot from a normal fairway lie?’. <\/em>Of those who responded, no one answered both questions correctly.\u00a0 And if men, who still are the majority of course architects, are designing courses based on presumptive information, is it any wonder that women have difficulty playing yardages that do not reflect playing ability?<\/p>\n

On a positive note, the PGA of America has finally realized that cultivating women golfers should not be an afterthought, or an idea whose time has come for women\u2019s golf organizations, the USGA, or the LPGA solely to ponder.\u00a0 It is a vital part of the growth of golf across the board.\u00a0 At the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, the featured ‘Consumer Revolution in Golf’ panel discussion moderated by Former PGA Tour and WNBA Executive Donna Orender revealed some poignant numbers:\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWomen spend about $4.6 billion, and they influence $15 billion dollars.”\u00a0 And so, women might ask, ‘are you paying attention to me yet’?<\/p>\n

Longtime golf legend Jack Nicklaus has also tossed his golf cap into the ‘accessible golf’ ring:\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve lost 23 percent of the women in the game and 36 percent of the kids since 2006…..that’s not a good stat,\u201d Nicklaus said during a Golf 2.0 panel to kick off the 59th annual summit aimed at 40,000 retailers, PGA professionals, and industry and consumer leaders in order to improve the economics of golf.<\/p>\n

With a novel approach in Michigan, the U.S. Navy Recruiting District (NRD-MI\/IN) has taken an interest in girls junior golf by supporting a nutrition and fitness aspect.\u00a0 In the last four years three different NRD Commanding Officers realized that kids need to be more fit and that golf is a way to promote it.\u00a0 The Michigan Women’s Golf Association<\/a> (MWGA) welcomed U.S. Naval Recruiting Commander (East Region) Admiral Craig Faller to the final day’s Mentor Tournament where women mentors – including Detroit’s First Lady. Mrs. Yvette Bing – each joined a group of junior girls to ‘show them the ropes’ of fast play, etiquette, and rules.\u00a0 Admiral Faller said, “This was one of the most important events I have attended in years;\u00a0 to be able to get in front of these young girls and their parents with such a positive message is what we should be doing.”<\/p>\n

Since women make over 80% of all buying decisions and have an opinion in nearly 100% of them, it would seem wise to seek their interest….and their opinions.<\/p>\n

And so, this question was posed to golfers in Michigan, a state with about 850 public golf courses, the most in the U.S. \u201cWhat could improve women\u2019s participation in golf?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Here are the answers so far:<\/p>\n

NBC affiliate WDIV-Local 4 Detroit Meteorologist Paul Gross says, \u201cThe answer is a long term solution that is no different than with other hobbies.\u00a0 You need to get them interested as young children.\u00a0\u00a0 However, golf is different\u2026\u2026you can\u2019t take your kids out without risking angry foursomes stacking up behind you muttering about slow play.\u00a0\u00a0 Then, there are very few true golf camps for kids.\u00a0 Summer is a time for fun \u2013 but also a time for parents to scramble to find child care opportunities for their kids.\u00a0 Give me a 9am to 4pm golf camp that provides pick up and drop off service and I\u2019d jump at that opportunity for my kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

SOLUTION<\/strong>:\u00a0 As a junior golfer, I recall my dad coaching us and letting countless groups play through all of us Parrott kids.\u00a0 But then, we never played in prime time, nor did we hold anyone up.\u00a0 It is good to have a \u2018mentor\u2019 in your group who knows the etiquette and can convey it.\u00a0 As for the summer camps, golf facilities, are you listening?\u00a0 A number of differently styled junior golf programs have sprouted up, including California based\u00a0Total Golf Adventures and\u00a0Midnight Golf in Michigan, with more on the horizon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was able to play golf, I was also working full time and could only play on weekends,\u201d said Mary Anne Yemec, of Royal Oak.\u00a0 \u201cOn weekends, the \u2018GOLFERS\u2019 take over and they sure do not want to put up with a novice.\u00a0 There was always someone in the group who would get their nose out of joint because I was still learning.\u00a0 I think I could have been pretty decent. \u00a0Instead, I concentrated on bowling.\u201d<\/p>\n

SOLUTION<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 Veteran players need to remember when they were fledgling golfers.\u00a0 We should help newer players and not add to their frustrations with verbal clucking.<\/p>\n

Nancy Serra, past President of the Michigan Women\u2019s Golf Association (MWGA)\u00a0points out that, \u201cwomen in general are extremely cost conscious.\u00a0 Perhaps a day of the week dedicated to women golfers, with a discount price of course, would draw them out.\u00a0 Bars do it:\u00a0 Tuesdays!\u00a0 Ladies Day!\u00a0 Half price drinks!\u00a0 Also, a Play with the Pro day would be good.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe it is not so great for the pro\u2026\u2026.but the ladies would continue participating.\u00a0 Another good idea would be to have a frequent player club like \u2018play ten 18- hole rounds and get one free\u2019 or get something from the pro shop.\u00a0 Then the gals would feel like they were earning something.\u201d<\/p>\n

SOLUTION<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 20\u00a0women playing at a 20% discount are better than\u00a0no\u00a0women playing at full price \u2013 on an empty course.<\/p>\n

From Colorado, Berith Jacobsen, CEO and \u2018Chief Bag Lady\u2019 of TEAM 2000, a sports bag\/carry-all manufacturing company, is involved with the Executive Women\u2019s Golf chapter in Denver and explains that \u201cwomen do things in groups.\u00a0 If you make it social and fun, and where they see improvement, you\u2019ll get greater participation.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added, \u201cWomen are \u2018hyper-taskers\u2019 and are pulled in many different directions, so it needs to be a relaxing and supportive environment for them to excel.\u00a0 We have had stand up comedians who know golf give rules seminars and discuss things like \u2018putting a Dolly Parton: use the whole cup\u2019, or hitting a worm burner, or catching the jet stream\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

SOLUTION<\/strong>:\u00a0 Stop taking golf\u00a0too seriously.\u00a0 Let\u2019s take a hint from our friends at NASCAR.\u00a0 Now that<\/em> is marketing at its best.<\/p>\n

A number of folks, including insurance agent\u00a0Bruce Weisberg from Farmington Hills, MI and retired Ann Arbor research scientist and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Sara Wold, thought that women really need to focus on taking lessons and getting properly fitted equipment.\u00a0 However, getting women to do that can be a tough task.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know about 5 or 6 women for whom I secured lessons from a top pro at a reduced rate.\u00a0 Did they do it?\u00a0\u00a0 Nooope \u2013 they\u2019d rather flounder,\u201d said Weisberg.<\/p>\n

SOLUTION<\/strong>:\u00a0 Bruce is right:\u00a0 many women are embarrassed to take lessons because they don\u2019t know how to play and don\u2019t want to look bad in front of the pro.\u00a0 It’s a tough one to figure one out.\u00a0 Get over it, please.\u00a0 In recent years, Golf Demo Days have become very popular and are a great way for golfers – especially women – to try new equipment in a no-pressure environment.\u00a0 Golf facilities, practice ranges, and golf stores routinely schedule these mini-expos to help golfers sort through the maze of equipment available today.\u00a0 About three years ago, Terri Ann Anthony-Ryan, Director of Golf for the city of Southfield, Michigan and one of few women\u00a0PGA Professionals, held a Demo Day at Beech Woods Golf Club where TaylorMade, Cleveland, Cobra, Adams Golf, Callaway, and other golf companies brought the latest and greatest in club technology.\u00a0 Taking my nephew, Joel, a former collegiate basketball player,\u00a0who is\u00a0new to the game, Cobra’s pro, Jim Norgart had Joel swinging like a top\u00a0golfer within half an hour.\u00a0 TaylorMade’s rep, Brian Coffman, dealt with another issue:\u00a0 Joel’s extreme height.\u00a0 He customized demo clubs with a stiff, 4-degree upright shaft – on the spot\u00a0– \u00a0to accommodate Joel’s 6’7″ frame.\u00a0 All of the reps were helpful towards women as well, encouraging them to try a number of styles and types of clubs, and not simply what they perceived as ‘ladies clubs’, a term that is quite outdated in this era of golf club technology.<\/p>\n

2004 MI PGA Player of the Year Bob Ackerman, from West Bloomfield MI, is an avid promoter of the game and had many great suggestions for women, which could also apply to all golfers:<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me emphasize that first, golf is a walking game.\u00a0 Women are drawn toward health and fitness and should know that walking is the number ONE way to improve your health;\u00a0 2) golf, unlike many sports, can be played for life;\u00a0 3) golf is a great social game which can be played as a couple, or any partner if you have no significant other, then end up with another social event – \u00a0dinner;\u00a0 4) golf is a great way to meet new people….. don\u2019t tell anyone, but we played as 5-somes in Chicago.\u00a0 No one was left out, we walked, and we STILL played in 4 hours;\u00a0 5) the game is great for those who enjoy challenges and there is always room for improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elizabeth \u2018Betsy\u2019 Parker, of Detroit, gets it:\u00a0 \u201cGolf is such a fabulous game.\u00a0 GOLF used to stand for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden;\u00a0 but if a woman meets a man who plays golf, they can spend vacations on some of the most beautiful, manicured properties in the world\u2026\u2026elite courses, spa packages, 5-star dinners, views of mountains overlooking cities in lights at night.\u00a0\u00a0 There is now such beautiful clothing coming out for women \u2013 my golf clothes are nicer than my work clothes.\u00a0 \u00a0The game lets you out of your daily routine \u2013 you can bond with your man or go out with the girls and get some fresh air.\u201d\u00a0 Now, there are many Singles organizations where golfers who are looking for companionship – and partners – can play the game together.<\/p>\n

Assorted comments, summed up from numerous sources: “Golf takes too danged long to play!\u00a0 I can’t take that kind of time out, away from my family.\u00a0 Can’t take the kids either….the regular golfers would run us over….and then, talk about taking forever!”…”Golf is too expensive!!”<\/p>\n

SOLUTION:<\/strong> Develop shortened rounds where courses can be routed 6-6-6 with the last hole of each grouping near the clubhouse.\u00a0 Provide family times in the afternoon, prior to Twilight play or on weekend afternoons when most courses are deserted anyway.\u00a0 Jack Nicklaus is a proponent of the 12-hole design.\u00a0 Yes, traditionalists will be shaking their heads, but in the olden days, leisure time did not exist as it does today and families are being pulled in many directions.\u00a0 Golf is simply one choice to ponder, albeit a time-consuming one.<\/p>\n

And finally, there was this comment from someone who will remain nameless:<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate playing golf with women and usually avoid it at all costs.\u00a0 The vast majority of them are boring, slow – regardless of handicap.\u00a0 They\u00a0won\u2019t gamble, don\u2019t know the rules, and abuse the course.\u00a0 I have no idea what to suggest in order to change that but good luck!\u201d<\/p>\n

You may not agree with these last observations but it doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re not valid.\u00a0 And lest you blame these opinions on a chauvinistic man, think again.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This was from a woman.<\/p>\n

Watch for Part 2 of this article which will be posted on Friday, March 23: ‘Golf Fixes from the Queen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The golf industry has been trying to get more women into the game for years………but do they really listen to the voices of women when they speak up?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":1543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,372,9,1495],"tags":[364596,416,364706,1030779,2387,364827,1030776,131047,364219],"class_list":["post-84","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-instruction","category-taylormade","category-golf","category-what-do-women-want","tag-michigan-womens-golf-association","tag-pga-merchandise-show","tag-total-golf-adventures","tag-adams-golf","tag-callaway","tag-us-navy-recruiting","tag-taylormade","tag-womens-golf","tag-gear-effect-golf"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2012\/03\/MWGA-Girls-JJ-Admiral-2010.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1898,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84\/revisions\/1898"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/janinajacobs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}