Why female golfers need to start “stepping up to the tee” online
March 2, 2009 by Megan Hueter
Filed under From the blogosphere, Marketing and Advertising, golf
Found out two interesting pieces of news about the female golf community. Apparently, not only has Golf for Women Magazine gone out of business, but golf (in general) is also unfair to women (shocking).
I’m completely aware that I’m slightly late to announce both of these pieces of news, but I’m going to discuss them anyway.
Why? Because the best part about both of these problems is that female golfers have complete and total control over turning them around. With social media resources out there, all you have to do is start talking.
I found out Golf for Women Magazine is going out of business by checking out conversations on Twitter between @sherrytabb, @SweetSpotGolf and @golfgirl. Golf for Women Magazine has been around for 20 years, so this is a huge hit that the community took last summer.
Interestingly, ALL of that traffic is now being redirected to Golf Digest for Woman. Notice “woman” – shouldn’t it be “women”? Last time I checked more than one woman plays golf. Probably should correct that.
Here’s what Nancy Berkley, (an expert on women’s golf) had to say about it on Cybergolf:
“Women golfers serious enough to buy and read about the game are still too much of a niche market for a publishing empire that tries to reach broader market.”
Honestly, I’d like to disagree.
From what I know of female golf (which isn’t much), there is a huge market here – and this is exactly what makes the LPGA so incredibly successful. There’s a huge online presence of fans, and they should be (and are) responding to this through mediums such as Twitter, which is a giant leap toward a future that is promising. My question is – are the right people listening?
Ok, so print media outlets are struggling (they all are right now) – largely due to the fact that we’re in an economic recession and there is no measurable ROI in these outlets. But online, in the blogosphere… that’s a place where female sports can be discussed with opinion and authority, and by the athletes themselves. This is powerful, and it has the potential to take off.
It’s inexpensive and highly engaging. All you need to do is stop complaining, take some responsibility and start talking.
Now, for the other piece of news… golf is unfair to women. Again, shocking.
In response, golf community leader Sherry Tabb says, “let’s go with it.”
Love her attitude.
Instead of b*tching about how it’s unfair, she tells women to take responsibility, and gives them some exercises to improve upper body muscle strength.
Would be great to see some female golfers up on Women Talk Sports. If you’re interested in syndicating your blog’s content, please contact us. Coming together, our voices are wayyyy more powerful than when we’re separated.
You have hit the proverbial nail on the head when you said “It’s inexpensive and highly engaging. All you need to do is stop complaining, take some responsibility and start talking.”
The market and the media to tap the market is changing. Print media is dying a slow (or in some cases, a fast) death. Social Media is a very important element to utilize to increase the strength of any brand in today’s world. Early adopters position themselves to increase their reach far faster and with more impact than those that sit on the sidelines.
The LPGA has a long way to go to reach numbers it SHOULD have. They have a great product but have to consider more current trends (online especially) to maximize its fan base.
Keep up the good work helping to spread the word and grow the game of golf for women!
Taking the stupid excuses that sexist people use to denigrate the women’s game and saying ‘we’ll work on that’ is victim-blaming. It’s NOT our responsibility to change ourselves based on criticism that isn’t legitimate, since the critics aren’t really making logical arguments, they just don’t want to watch ‘girls’ play golf. As soon as we ‘fix’ that problem, they’ll come up with something else. It has nothing to do with any inherent aspect of women’s golf itself, just like men dishing on the WNBA has nothing to do with the actual quality of the game and everything to do with their own fears and prejudices.
I agree with you that there are fears and prejudices out there. But in an age when blogging has literally created the ability for everyday people to have a “voice” in something, don’t you think we have a certain level of responsibility (as victims) to start creating change?
I’m not asking that we “blame” anyone – I just notice that nothing’s being done. And nothing WILL be done unless people start stepping up to the plate and taking initiative. If that doesn’t happen, then we are all responsible for the results.
Not to point anything out, but wasn’t it you Megan that complained that even my young godson playing against females of any age was ‘playing down’. I mean really, if my 7th grader could beat Annika that easily, why on earth would I be interested in it? and yes, the WNBA would fall victim to that statement too. You’re a voice for women’s sports, and even you don’t think they’re as good as boys’ sports.
Take some responsibility for what you said, Megan.
Honestly, I like women’s golf just as much as the men’s. I got to meet Annika S once and she was a great person. Is it unfair though? Not so much. They get what they can bring in. Just like the Arena Football League (or whatever it’s called) only gets what they bring in, and the Major Lacrosse League, etc. How many men’s leagues have failed because of lack of sponsorship? (according to wiki, 54)) Included in that were 2 high profile football leagues. Business does not forgive gender. (only 5 women’s leagues have gone defunct) We’re not even talking about a publication about a league, we’re talking about the league itself. It’s business.
You think it’s unfair? If any man had equal skills to Lorena Ochoa, would he make as much money as she does? Ahhhh to be paid according to your skills-not your gender. (HEY!! According to Megan, my 10 year old son could beat her!!)
Heck, I’d settle for rights of participation in schools not being based on gender, but I’m easy to please.
(and yes, I’m going to keep bringing up your reason for discriminating against boys until you admit you *may* have been wrong and then you might want to come up with a better reason for the discrimination.)