This Week at WorldGolf.com: Jan. 18, 2006

It's time for the gentleman's game
to become more gentlemanly

In the UK, a recent study published by the St. Andrews-based Ladies' Golf Union came to the conclusion that many young women are turned off by golf.

The study was based on a survey of 1,200 women and 369 golf club secretaries throughout Great Britain and Ireland. The main reasons for the lack of interest in golf by young women? Too time consuming, too expensive, not enough television coverage and the game is too male dominated.

The study also showed that men are members of golf clubs in the UK at a rate of 5 to 1, and that the average female golfer is 60 years old and up.

"We have a wealth of new information which in many cases confirms what has long been believed," said LGU Chief Executive Andy Salmon. "Clearly, the ladies' game has a number of issues which need to be addressed for the long-term good of the game."

While women's professional golf is showing signs of thriving, with female golfers such as Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, as well as a bevy of talented golfers from Asian nations thriving on and off the course, golf as a hobby is just not attracting women as it should.

What the study seems to show is, there is a lack of women interested in golfing for exercise and enjoyment. And while this perhaps doesn't surprise anyone, it's clearly not a healthy sign.

The male dominance of golf is clearly an issue. In the U.S., the golf blogger known as Golf Chick has often made mention of this male domination, particularly during rounds where men will find a tree to relieve themselves on - with her in plain view.

The question is, can men work harder to make women feel more comfortable on the course, without changing their own golfing experience? Because, while not politically correct, what male golfer hasn't given a cringe when placed on the tee behind a group of women? Or treated women as if they were in the way on the golf course? That attitude can become tangible to women, who will begin to feel they are infringing on a male ritual.

Golf is a fantastic form of exercise, an opportunity to make business contacts, as well as being a great social activity. It is also a game that endlessly demands new players to help its continued success. And according to the LGU study, women just aren't being sought out to become those new players.

Golf is known as a "gentleman's game." According to Dictionary.com, one of the definitions for gentleman is "A well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior." For the health of the sport, it's important male golfers live up to those high standards, and help women feel more accepted on the golf course.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Doonbeg Golf Club:
An artful balance of
links and resort golf

It took developers some time to take advantage of the outstanding land underneath Doonbeg Golf Club. First, there was the fact it was so isolated. Then, they had to work around protected 'grey dunes,' and microscopic snails. But in the three-plus years since it opened, the Greg Norman-designed course has rocketed up the charts to become one of the most praised true links courses in Ireland, and has added to the nation's legendary golf reputation.

Also: Scotland vs. Ireland: Which is the better golf trip?

Nice and gentle
Palm Springs golf?
Hah! Try these
wicked courses

If you think Palm Springs, Calif. is all about casual resort golf, you will find yourself shocked by some of the brutal courses this famous desert city has to offer. By adding the Arnold Palmer-designed Silver Rock, Palm Springs now has several courses that will leave even the most experienced golfers feeling overwhelmed, including Pete Dye's seriously difficult PGA West TPC Stadium. Here's a look at some courses that prove Palm Springs is no pushover.

Also: Palm Springs maintains trendy hold on foreign tourists

Win easily on the
golf course - cheat!
Tips to help golfers
win more bets

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said 'to lie is beautiful.' Which makes sense, being that the man was as ugly as sin. On the golf course, lying can be beautiful at times, especially when bets are on the line. Here, Tim McDonald shows some great lying techniques, including stepping on your competitor's ball, and pre-programing your cell phone to ring in the middle of your rival's backswing. Now just don't get yourself caught.

Also: BadGolfer.com's red hot gallery of beer cart babes!