He Said, She Said: Can you take money from a woman?: #Reaction: Golf Digest

He Said, She Said: Can you take money from a woman?

Sunday, July 29, 2012

In a series called "He Said, She Said," Golf Digest Associate Editor Ashley Mayo will address your views on gender-related issues in golf. The former collegiate golfer is 27. She somehow maintains a 5 handicap despite living in Manhattan.

Golf becomes more fun when money is on the line. I’m generally the first person in my foursome to suggest a bet -- anything that won’t break my wallet -- for two main reasons: the added pressure turns the game into a sport; and betting can be a great icebreaker if I’m paired with three guys I’ve never played with before.

But I get upset when I lose and a guy refuses to take my money. I suggested the bet. I played from the correct tees. I didn’t play as well as my opponent. Why should you, Mr. Champion, feel uncomfortable taking my money just because I’m a girl?

That’s why Golf Digest asked the following question, via Twitter and Facebook:

Fellas: If you bet against a woman on the golf course & beat her, do you feel bad about taking her money? (Do you even *take* her money?)
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigestMag) July 26, 2012

The answers we got varied from “Heck no!” to “OF COURSE!”

@GolfDigestMag .....NOPE!! being a gentleman comes first..
— Scott Law (@ScottLawGOLFNUT) July 26, 2012

Scott, I appreciate your intent. But being a “gentleman” on the course means helping us look for balls and making sure we grab a bottle of cold water when it’s available, not refusing to take our money. We knew the stakes before we agreed to the bet.

@GolfDigestMag depends...are you married to her? Dating her? Or interested in her?
— cilli (@cilli) July 26, 2012

Why do the answers to these questions matter, Cilli? Whether you’re married to the girl, dating her or TRYING to date her, a bet is a bet. You should never feel bad about seeing it through.

@GolfDigestMag - Absolutely. Then I use it to take her to dinner.
— Zachary Tibbitts (@ztibbitts) July 26, 2012

Smart man, Zach! This is actually a superb idea. Fellas, take note: I’m fairly certain all girls would appreciate this smooth move.

Tom Blake, via Facebook: “I wouldn't bet in the first place. It's a no-win situation for me because I wouldn't take her money WHEN I won, but would have to pay up if I lost and that would be double jeopardy.”

Tom, take her money. And isn’t this “double jeopardy” business something you agree to when you bet against a guy? This risk is precisely what makes a bet so exciting, no?

Michael Leighton Wolff, via Facebook: “You're supposed to let them win! Haha.”

You’re supposed to let your boss win, Mike, not a girl.

@GolfDigestMag. If she wants to bet and feels confident she can win - then take her $$$ if you win - why wouldn't you.
— Andy Marcolin (@AndyMarcolin) July 26, 2012

Amen, Andy.

@GolfDigestMag Yes, I take it, and no, I don't feel bad. Golf has a system that guarantees a fair match.
— Todd Pataky (@PittsburghTodd) July 26, 2012

Precisely right, Todd.

Kimberley McBee Ward, via Facebook: “My daughter takes her daddy's money every time!”

Kimberly, your daughter is my new hero.

Under no circumstance should you ever feel bad about taking money from a female golfer. As Bruce White says, via Facebook, “A bet, and many other things in this world, has no gender.”

--Ashley Mayo

Follow @AshleyKMayo