Why are women crap at golf? Ask Nancy!

Why are women crap at golf?

It's not a very politically correct question. A bit rude, even. A question to be frowned on, or buried. But come on, everyone thinks it, don't they?

There are theories and experts out there on the interwebs, and I bring you this excerpt from Nancy Berkley, "an expert in women's golf, specifically in attracting and retaining women in the game". Nancy seems like a very interesting woman. Wouldn't it be great if there were more evangelists for womens golf like her? I certainly don't want to diss her, as she has plenty of ideas about making golf a more welcoming place for women.

... but on the subject of why women are crap at golf, I'm finding her theories a bit... sketchy.

She phrases the question about crapness more politely, in terms of average handicaps, which is a much more precise way of describing the issue. The question is "Why are women's handicaps so much higher (average is 12 strokes higher) than men's handicaps?" and I'd really like to know the answer. Let's see what Nancy has to say (you can read the full text here).

One of Nancy's findings is that "The handicap ratings are based on "bogey" golfers. The female bogey (or better) golfer is a much smaller percentage of the universe of women golfers, than male bogey (or better) golfers are of the male golfer universe. The ratings by female bogey golfers don't refect the average skill of women golfers."

Hmm. Notwithstanding the fact that I haven't much clue about what 'handicap ratings' means, surely that's just a restatement of the question? Am I missing something here? Isn't the key question why are female bogey golfers a smaller percentage??

Actually Nancy has other theories to suggest, so this subject is to be continued.

Photo is from dandelionfourteen on Flickr, and yes I did notice that it's a left-handed club that she's holding sort-of right-handedly (well to be precise she's holding it sort-of like someone who's never swung a club before).