Changing Image: White Male Golfers Cannot Show Golf Is Inclusive

OH my god….he’s RIGHT !!! We’ll just have to line up busses and drag non-caucasians against their will to the golf courses and force them to play…oh wait…that sort of thing is what caused this whole argument 500 years ago.

This is STILL the most ignorant argument in the golf world.

…as it is a race thing.

The fact is, golf is an expensive hobby when compared with most other sports. Anyone can play basketball, football, or soccer, say, at most any local public park, for only the cost of the ball. And anyone can pick up a basketball, football, or soccer ball for under $25, any day of the week. The same can not be said for golf.

What’s more, some of the folks who run golf courses and pro shops can be arrogant as hell, and this can turn some off to the sport. Several times recently I’ve gone to a local pro shop on a day off, looking the way I do on a day off – unshaven, not-so-nattily attired, etc. It’d be a stretch to say I was well-attended-to by the staff. What’s more, some of my questions about equipment were greeted with snooty derision. I wanted to say “Look, f***er, I know you know more about golf clubs than I do. That’s why I’m asking you, a**hole.”

The fact of the matter is that many of the people who play golf – and, as such, run golf – in this country would just assume it stay the nice insulated world that it is.

…golf is not a major sport like basketball, baseball, football, or soccer. It is an “interest” sport. People of all economic levels and races can play the game if they want. There are all kinds of golf courses just about anywhere you look. Here in Atlanta, one of my favorite places to play is a $10 9-hole muni inside the city limits of Atlanta. There is also another for $12 that is considered a “you’re not an Atlanta golfer unless you play there” landmark.

Where I live, the cheapest round is about 10 pounds 30 miles away. Generally, weekdays are best,but not if you are 9 to 5. One can be a member now for 400 pounds a year and there are other deals around. It’s still cheaper than drinking and smoking. Smoking, at 5 pounds for 20, is 35, 40 pounds a week…I don’t smoke and golf is cheaper than that is. It depends what one wants, yes ?

and then shooting them down as impracticable. Now I’m thinking that this is trying to find a solution to something that is not actually a problem ( other than the golf world trying to make more money).

Basketball, football, soccer, tennis, athletcis, swimming, squash, hockey, etc, etc, are all as healthy if not healthier to play than golf, so as long as people are encouraged to participate in some sporting activities, what does it matter if is not golf? Golf is not about to become cheaper than the above activities either.

It’s not just about money either. I don’t play basketball (too short), football/hockey (ran out of puff), tennis/squash (got fed up with my husband smashing me) so my main love is now golf. My choice. Bound to have a higher percentage of older people, too, as it is a less strenuous sport than some others.

Can someone re-explain the “problem” to me , pls? If it’s just about the image of golf, shouldn’t we be more worried about the image of polo, for example? (I’m not, though.

It’s not a social experiment.

I’ve read the Rules of Golf numerous times and I never saw anything in there talking about exclusiveness or inclusiveness.

You know what’s exclusive? Private country clubs. They usually have golf courses, naturally, so does that make golf not inclusive? They also have tennis courts, restaurants, bars, and pools. I guess McDonalds should be fighting the stigma that only rich old white men eat food.

The funny thing is, these country clubs don’t want any part of me either, and I’m scheduled to be an old white man in the next few decades. So that leaves rich, which is really what this is about. Rich people have something that others don’t and they feel left out. Well boo frickin’ hoo.

Certainly that has absolutely zero to do with golf, of course. As Court mentioned, there are tons of places to play that are cheap and as Easingwold said, it’s cheaper than drinking and smoking, which people of all social and economic backgrounds certainly find ways to do.

The “golf is not inclusive” slant makes me want to retch sometimes. Anyone that thinks that we need a campaign to make golf inclusive is welcomed to come and play with me at my home course where you’ll find people of many different races, economic backgrounds, both sexes, and all ages.

I think what we’re really looking to do is take the exclusive country clubs and their rich members down a peg and I don’t appreciate golf being used as the battleground for more class warfare.

seen the worlds #1 hacking it around today. Figures, I put him on my fantasy team, but the good news is, I can now say I play as well as Tiger……crap, I would have to give him strokes…..lol

rather disgusting.

I joined not knowing this as I was new to the area

Golf is becoming more diversified as we move forward. More young ladies and men are playing the game, and that includes minorities. Tiger’s impact has not been felt on tour in regards to minority participation, but it has been felt at the grass roots. I’m sure 20 years ago minority and female participation was much less than it is today. There will be acceptance on some levels if only for business purposes. Diversity is good for business. The more golfers the better. The aforementioned White Males who are well off will stick to CC golf anyway. Those making a living on the industry welcome new golfers as a source of income. Golf has seen much growth as a result of growing numbers of Non-White male golfers. The challenge is to continue to grow the game in its totality. Recently, the industry has flat lined as far as growth is concerned. And now, with the sluggish economy, business has recessed. As to the over all racial tone of todays golf. Well let’s say the President’s moto of change doesn’t sit so well with the establishment. Still, the status quo must go. Change is good, and growth is great. Look at our great country since the new Prez. has stepped up and authored historic change. Ahh, the freshness of real leadership. Change!!! Good!!!

I find Ryan’s article and everyone’s comments extremely fascinating. I think we all can agree that it’s a combination of issues that has kept golf from growing domestically. Callaway, Taylormade, and other’s growth (if they posted any) came from overseas. Their growth rate has flattenned in the US as they just can’t figure it out how to address all of these issues that keep Americans from picking up the game. I think it all starts with introducing children to the game. Unless you’re parents or someone close to you golfs, you’re a long shot to be a consumer of the sport. Organizations like the First Tee are growing exponentially and organizations like them address this issue. The time issue? We don’t need to always play 18 holes, people. 9 holes of golf takes about the same time as 9 innings of a baseball game. Not an excuse for me. Cost? We’re working on it. Racial/Class barriers? Like most things, its only a matter of time. The elitist generation will be gone soon enough. I’m not too concerned, as long the game can be affordable. My home course is Brookside Golf Course (public) in Pasadena, CA. I’m a 30 year-old white guy and I’m the minority. It’s awesome.

The game’s growth has flattened domestically and