Why aren't women and men golfing against each other in tournaments?

[Shiprex]

I played golf since I was a kid and haven't gotten much better than low double digit handicap because I don't practice and never taken golf lessons. However, I have played with some excellent players and have seen that women and men can play the game as well as each other. Sure the technology has meant balls are able to go further, clubs can impart more energy (speed, rotation etc.) to balls and this made me think that some of the top female pros can match many of the male pros in terms of distance they can hit the ball as far and with as much accuracy as men as well as be as precise in their putting.

Why then aren't there mixed golfing events that are genuinely "OPEN" to all that attract men and women into them? Has the business become so lame it insists on separating into two separate "sports" for egotistical reasons? Or is there something else at play?

[genericname85]

cause generally speaking, men are slightly better at proprioception, spatial awreness, motor coordination dexterity and power, which power is not important in mini golf but in big boy golf it sure is.

and all these things may not matter much for amateurs, cause there the differences between all but power aren't so big to make a big difference but at the extreme ends (professionals) the differences become really apparent.

[Shiprex]

I don't know when you can see Nelly Korda and others smacking the ball over 300 yards driving then the power difference isn't such a big deal. The accuracy I would like to see becoming more of a factor and I am sure there are courses where the power advantage could be mitigated for through the course design. Like links courses where accuracy, lie are much more important.

[genericname85]

well look at the top 10 furthest hits in golf ever made. if women were just at good at it, 5 of them would be women but that's not the case. that's exactly what i'm saying. if you're looking at average golfers, it doesn't make a difference. but if you look at the very top, the difference is huge.

the furthest ever male hit recorded was Kyle Berkshire with 579 yards. the furthest ever female recorded hit was Phillis Meti with 413 yard. see the difference?

and i also said that raw power is probably the least important but all the other stats men are better too. so that's my argument.

[genericname85]

and you know the fun part? i didn't even know that women didn't hit as far as men before i just googled it. but i know men perform better. that's not sexist or misogynistic. it's just trivial facts. so you don't have to know the exact stats to know it's a pattern that will always occur.

[AviatorTom]

There are differences between men and women golfers. Men are more physical, many capable of drives if 300 yards or more. There are few, if any, women who can do that.

Scores on professional tournaments are similar for men and women because women play from shorter tees.

A few women have played against men on the PGA tour, with limited success.

[hannamontana]

Men usually hit the ball farther, so they set up different tees. It’s not really about skill—lots of women play just as well. Golf’s just been split like that for years, mostly because of tradition and how the sport is run. Mixed events do happen, but not often.

[chrissykerdock]

women and men are not equal physiccally how far can a man hit a golf ball and then a woman at least 100 feet less that's why

[Shiprex]

Courses that accommodate this though. Really short par 4 and 5 with l9ng par 3 could reduce this impact.
A lot of women can now hit as far as many men I think to. Not at the extreme end but top women for sure.

[AI Opinion]

Golf does separate men and women in most professional events for several reasons. Physical differences can influence driving distance, making separate tees a necessity to level the playing field. Mixing events could impact the dynamics and strategies in the game. Cultural and traditional factors also play a role. However, mixed events like the Ryder Cup with men and women could showcase skills together, promoting unity and diversity within the sport. 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️

[Shiprex]

Ryder cup is for men though: Solheim Cup is women's version of the same event

[BarryLiverstone]

Many events have men and women competing in the same tournament. Obviously it wouldn’t work for the pga tho

[Shiprex]

That's just it. I think like the AI Chloe said, if the Ryder and Solheim cup got something together than a cool mixed pairs, 4 ball and 2 ball pairs as well as scratch matchplay thing were initiated them there could be a much more vibrant testy vibe

[BarryLiverstone]

Could be. But that’s a team element whereas the majors are about the individual and one person struggling against the course.

[Sevenpointfive]

because they've gotta play the women's tees to be equal

[andreasderjuengere]

It's for safety:

Women hitting balls with a club... frightening :D

[Iron_Man]

They figured that men will win easy

[Panthero80]

I used to practice against women in judo.

[Shiprex]

I played rugby against them. I did Kung Fu when I was younger and it was weight and the girls did spar with the guys.

[Fftggg]

Cause they can't smoke the ball further.