There's something that has been puzzling me for a while now... Why are women so much more incompetent at golf than men?

Take a look at the USGA's handicap chart for men and women:

With my 17 handicap, I'm among the top 12% female golfers, but if I were a man with that handicap I would be among the top 62%, so I'd really be quite average :P

Now why, why, why do we women collectively suck at this game??? Of course there are brilliant female players (as well as plenty of lousy male players ;), but if you look at the average female player, it's just dismal! I think I read somewhere that the average female score is... 108!!! Ouch.

I just read a very interesting article from Gwladys Nocera's coach (G. Nocera is a French female player who's a star on the European LPGA tour) who mentions a few things :

  • Most golf courses are too long for women, which often means that a woman will need to hit a 5-wood to the green when a man hits a 6-iron. It makes a world of difference, because the ball trajectory and the accuracy are obviously not the same. It's true that I often see women hitting hybrids on par 3s when a man will use a short iron or even a wedge.
  • Women are not educated in ball sports. They're pushed toward dance or yoga or that kind of things. So they don't develop the same abilities as the boys who play football or hockey or baseball from a very young age.
  • Women have been raised to be nice and follow the rules. They end up having a less creative short game than men, which hurts their score.
  • Women are more emotional than men and it hurts them on the course (I 100% agree).

I would add my own thoughts to it:

  • This sport has been predominently male for a long time. There are more and more female players, but they're fairly new to the game, so they don't have as much experience as the men.
  • Women often take up the sport because their spouse is a golfer and they just want to be with him on the course. They don't care about excelling at it.
  • Women are busy raising children, working, taking care of the house and al. and so they don't have time to practice and play.
  • They don't have time to train because they're too busy doing photo shoots in skimpy clothes (a personal rant, never mind :P)

So ok, we're not super good. But we can improve. I had never played any ball sport! I sucked at sports when I was in school! But three years ago, my first coach told me that I'll be in the top 2% of female golfers and that it will take 10 years. That means a 10-handicap in 7 years!! Easy :P For sure I'll get there if I continue being dedicated to this game like I've been in the past three years. And I'm pretty sure that all women can do the same if they put some effort into it :)

In the meantime, honestly, I much prefer playing in the company of men because they're often more inspiring than the women I meet on golf courses. Being part of the SFGT with the guys is also a strong incentive to improve!! You guys help me become a better player :)