Lady Golfer Feature: Professionally Speaking
What is the strangest request you’ve ever had from a member?
Quite a few years ago I was asked to help a member find his false teeth! In the end we found them in one of the bins on the tee. He was very chuffed as they were worth quite a bit and gave me a beaming gummy smile. I never actually asked how he lost them.
What percentage of your members have lessons at the club?
It’s actually surprisingly low, I’d say about 15-20 per cent, the majority who come for lessons have a thirst for improvement. Then there are the ‘quick fixers’ who come after a bad round and then your new beginner members. A lot of members associate lessons with hard work and change and people tend not to like change. Ignorance is bliss as they say.
What is the most common fault among your lady members?
The most common fault for all golfers is a poor grip but specifically ladies tend to try and hit from the top resulting in them cutting across the ball.
What annoys you about club golfers?
Moaning! The weather, slow play, the car park, course conditions, the food in the clubhouse, their luck, the other gender and the juniors.
Clubhouse complaints books are always a funny read! What they need to remember is that they play golf for fun, it’s their leisure time.
What’s the hardest part of being a female pro?
The golf world is still very much a male-dominated industry and this can make it difficult. I’ve experienced sexism here and there throughout my career. It may be simple things such as people believing a male pro to be more capable, to comments on my appearance. I have the heart of a champion though so don’t let such nonsense affect me!
What duties do you perform that your members don’t realise?
Cleaning! I’m amazing at dusting.
What’s the best commercial idea you’ve ever had?
A few years ago I had an idea for a golf exchange website. Golfers from all over the world could sign up and go and stay with a member from another course elsewhere in the world. That way they would get cheap accommodation and members guest fees. Having good ideas is in my family as my dad still claims he invented the personal cassette player.
