Golf's Image: More Ideas

Golf World and Golf Digest readers continue to react to recent pieces by Jerry Tarde and Ron Sirak about "reclaiming golf's image."

__Dear Editor, No question that golf's image is ripe for a reclamation project. But many of the attacks on the game are self-inflicted. Why would a young woman want to take up the game when she would never be welcome to join the nation's most prestigious golf club, Augusta National ? Why would a young man or woman of color want to play a game when, at every trophy presentation at every golf tournament they watch on TV, they see nothing but the well preserved faces of old white men? And talk about tone deaf, maybe Ping should consider giving to a worthy charity the $10,000 it cost to present some of its tour players with gold putters. A.C. Taylor >

Montclair, NJ __

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Dear Editor,>

I'd like to add a point to Ron Sirak's April 13th article on Obama and golf's stimulating potential...>

Ron suggested that President Obama get his girls into The First Tee program. I think he can do one better by getting Obama's wife, Michelle, involved in the Washington D.C. chapter of EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association.) Michelle can learn alongside her girls about the values and skills associated with the game of golf. Then, when they take their first presidential vacation to Hawaii or other golf destination, Michelle can round out the foursome and make it a family affair!>

Berith Jacobsen>

Founder, EWGA of Denver >

Denver, CO

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Dear Editor,>

Sirak said, "Mr. President, call on all those who can get out of their carts and walk when they play." Try to find public courses which will let you walk these days. In my south Florida area (approx. 30 square miles), I know of 2 regular courses, and 2 executive public courses, which allow walkers any time.

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Jay Stahan

Deerfield Beach, FL.

The golf industry realizes, I think, that the issues you raise are its Issues: affordability, access, (the potential for) fitness and family friendliness. The industry's new Get Golf Ready program addresses affordability and access, if not on the level that Mr. Taylor suggests. (Though some journalists would not be shocked to hear that Augusta National quietly admitted a female member in the next year). And given the hungry offers I've received from starving golf courses lately, I also think that golfers will get more opportunity to walk--or play nine, or play six or bring their kids--anything that will make them customers. Golf's shake-out has begun. And judging by these letters you are not alone if you felt that it needed a shaking.

--Bob Carney