Men Only Sports Clubs

[AvengingAngel]

AIBU to be sick of this Golf Club being men only? I know for sure if it were "straight" only, "white" only there would be a frenzy. It's just indicative of how it's more acceptable to be sexist than any other "ist". Grrr!

equalityedge.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/men-only-sports-club-unacceptable/

[MamaPain]

But there are women only gyms and women only sports clubs too?

[Wantsunshine]

Is curves a women's only gym though? I guess that's the same.

[AvengingAngel]

Also they hold world championship golf tournaments there!

[mummymeister]

when they stop women only swimming sessions at my local pool and mums and toddlers clubs instead of parent and child then I will get het up about men only clubs. personally if that's what a man wants to do then let him. lots of other things to do with sexual inequality that need tackling and need my time and effort long before I get down the list to this one.

[chemenger]

Many golf clubs have improved equality, so now women have equal rights to pay the higher fees that men do, in return, admittedly, for increased access to the course. Personally I'd like to pay less than men but you can't have it both ways. There are several women only golf clubs in Scotland, why should they exist? I can't get excited over this.

[CoffeeTea103]

I can't see the problem with this. Can everything not be a sexist issue. There are some things that women and men just prefer to do separately.
Yabu, trying to see an issue where there isn't.

[AvengingAngel]

Yes, fine do it seperately, have men and women only sessions or something, but women can't actually join. I think this is unacceptable. Why is this ok? Yes there are far more concerning issues, but his doesn't mean it's not important. I'm certain everyone wants to segragate themselves into seperate groups at some point, but that's not the issue! The issue is it's "ok" to not allow membership because of your gender. Why then is it not ok to have white only clubs? It's not ok, because being racist is less socially acceptable than being sexist.

[fay144]

I think men/women only clubs are fine if that's what they genuinely are. But lots of these men only clubs do allow women to play - just not to be full members. So they want their members to be able to play with their wifes, socialise in the club house with women, etc. But they don't want these women to get any say in the running of the club. I do think that's wrong.

[LessMissAbs]

I agree OP. Its outdated, and if these rules were removed totally, I suspect that in 10 or 20 or 50 years time, people would wonder why they were ever justified. I am sure men and women are capable of sorting out their social arrangements without going to the trouble of banning each other. e.g. women-only swimming sessions - to me pointless and stupid, based on a fear by some women of being seen in a swimsuit by men. But if they are female dominated, what man is going to come along and be tolerated that makes women uncomfortable anyway? Certainly if there was any untoward behaviour, other rules could deal with that. But all this Victorian era getting the vapours because a man might look at you is histrionic and has no place.

Did you read one of the comments - LOL at "the wives" - ban them, the evening spoiling 50% of the population hussies!:
"I was out for a drink with four male friends in my local pub the other night. We were having a wonderful time – plenty of banter and male conviviality. Two of the wives showed up, unexpectedly and joined us. The whole atmosphere changed and, whilst I enjoy the company of the wives, for me at least the evening was spoiled. I had been looking forward to time with my male friends – it was sweet zero to do with lack of equality."

[NotNewButNameChanged]

Avenging - until the all-female gym two streets away from me allows men to join, then the all-male golf club ten miles away from me can carry on as they are.

[AvengingAngel]

LessMA absolutely. "The" wives. Honestly! I really think that compounds the mentality for me!

I just can't believe these golf clubs are allowed to get away with men only membership. It's illegal surely?! Sadly it's probably partly to do with our own attitudes towards them, as one of the other posters said "if that's what a man wants to do, then let him".

[mrknowitall]

Doesnt GOLF stand for -

Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden

[caruthers]

OP you do understand there are women only golf clubs too don't you?

[caruthers]

It's a 50-50 split.

[AvengingAngel]

How strange, a golf club is just being discussed on radio 5live news discussing women membership to a male only club! Not sure which one...

[NotNewButNameChanged]

Yes, there are indeed female only golf clubs. Lundin Ladies in Scotland is one such. Their membership is as follows:

"Membership is available to lady golfers and junior girls. Gentlemen and boys may become season ticket holders." So men may play but they can't become members and "it is run solely by the ladies".

That's taken directly from their own website. Would you like to complain about that as well, please, OP?

[mayorquimby]

"Why then is it not ok to have white only clubs? "

You could if you wanted to if it was privately owned members club but they'd not succeed for a variety of reasons.
Lack of membership
Alcohol licence
Finding suppliers or trading partners etc

[steff13]

This feels like a "vote with your wallet," situation to me. If you don't agree with the club's policies, join an all-inclusive club.

[mayorquimby]

" It's illegal surely?"

It's protected under freedom of association as its a members club rather than a traditional shop/club etc

If you only want to associate with one gender or religion or race in your private life, you're free to.

[mayorquimby]

*your

[mayorquimby]

Oops no misread it
Was right the first time

[cricketpitch]

As others have said there are women only clubs too. YABU.
We have to have some choices left in our private life, (and a private club is a private club).

[Moomey]

I think yanbu op. It is unfair that you can't join.... unless there's a female only one just down the road? If not, then where can you play golf? Do you have to drive miles? That's not fair!

I also agree that ladies swim & gym sessions is ridiculous, unless there is going to be mens only sessions too... equality!

[ICanSeeTheSun]

Why does every thing have to be a feminist issue.

Men should be able to have clubs of their own.

Women should be able to have clubs of their own.

[AvengingAngel]

"You could if you wanted to if it was privately owned members club but they'd not succeed for a variety of reasons.
Lack of membership
Alcohol licence
Finding suppliers or trading partners etc"

Yes mayorquimby, but Royal St Georges Golf club DOES have members, it DOES have a licensed bar and it DOES have suppliers. It also host the Open! I think this highlights my point, that it's far far easier to be sexist than racist!