Sideline Chatter
Getting Women on the Green
As a woman looking to jump into sports journalism, a career path dominated by men, I often wonder what I can do to contend with the gender barriers that exist within this field of work.
Do I wear less makeup, hair in a high ponytail and a sleek pant suit in order to fit into the workplace? Will I have to engage in conversations about the “man cave that awaits at home” or the ol’ ball and chain or other usual masculine chat? Should I pretend to know about certain topics simply to act as though I am more intelligent than people perceive? Does this career path mean I’ll have to sacrifice parts of my femininity just to be one of the guys?
In today’s world, there are very real barriers facing women in today’s male business culture. Many are tough to overcome. But after listening to listening to the women in my life talk about their experiences working with men, there is one unexpected activity that seems to help bring everyone together. It’s not awkward water cooler small talk. It’s not retreats filled with trust falls and other “fun” activities. It’s golf.
Golf is a sport in which many men across all employment circles, particularly in business and the sports industry, participate. After a 40 or 50 hour work week, the CEO, the partners of the firm, even the scrappy new intern, all clock out of the job early on a Friday afternoon to play a round of golf with the guys. Once they play the back nine holes, they all head to the nearest bar for some pints and greasy burgers. They laugh, give each other a hard time, they relax. Most importantly, they bond.
So, where do female workers fit in this equation?
Of course, any woman can do whatever she pleases after grinding through along work week surrounded by a bunch of dudes. But wouldn’t it be nice if she could have just the option to go even par and play a round with her fellow coworkers?
Golf has long been the definitive game within the workplace. It’s got social status, it’s not too demanding on your body and it allows for some friendly competition outside of a formal work setting. Unfortunately, many women never invade the green for a chance to succeed in the corporate sphere. Maybe it’s because some don’t know how to play. Some who do might opt out because they are worried they won’t be good enough. Still, others, good players, simply never get an invite because their male peers don’t realize they play. Whatever the reason, women often never experience this opportunity to advance in their professional lives.
Society defines the boundaries that women can or can’t cross–what to wear, what to eat, how to act, how to compete. But I refuse to believe that holds true for women playing golf. After all, some of the best golfers in history have been women. . . and men know it. And even though it is almost impossible for someone to go pro, just about anyone with an ounce or coordination can become good enough to play with the boys–most of whom are, in fact, pretty mediocre golfers themselves. Women don’t know that because they aren’t out there on the course with men, watching them shank shots and miss putts.
Of course there is the nagging question: if a woman learns to golf is she merely succumbing to the “boys only” culture? Or is it more empowering to take every opportunity to get ahead and run with it? I for one believe it is a way to have fun, blow off some steam and get to know your workmates better–and maybe even edge out some of the guys.
Most of us – women and men – will never hit a hole in one, or eagle on a difficult hole, or even finish an entire 18-hole course. And I’m not demanding that you clock 10,000 hours of golf practice to become the next Babe Zaharias. But why not take a few lessons, hit the driving range and then drop a few hints around the office that you like to hit the links on the weekend?
You may be surprised when you get invited one Friday to join the gang outside the office at your local golf course– and for a beer afterwards. Learn a joke or two while you’re at it. You may soon find that, following your lead, you’re not the only woman from your office on the first tee. When that happens, you can start going out to the links on Friday with them – and invite the men to come along.
Contact Lacey Yahnke at lyahnke@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.