The Wage Gap In Women v. Men's Golf | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

The Wage Gap In Women v. Men's Golf

It's time for women to earn what they deserve.

38
The Wage Gap In Women v. Men's Golf
Sara Jane Bowers

So one time I wrote about how the USGA/R&A is concerned about playing golf championships at golf clubs where women are not allowed to be members, which I don't think is a big deal. What I do believe though is the gap in wage from the PGA to the LPGA tour.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but the gap is huge. I don't just mean a couple hundred thousand dollars in difference; I'm talking at times millions. In the 2015 Masters tournament, Jordan Speith won a whopping 1.8 million dollars. While at the first LPGA event of the 2016 season , the ANA Inspiration, Lydia Ko received a check for $390,000. I know what you're thinking, Speith won the Masters and Ko just won the tournament where she jumps in a pond. But look at this other stats! In 2014 at the US Women's Open, Michelle Wie took home $720,000 while a week prior Martin Kaymer's check was written for $1.62 million at the US Open.

This gap can be blamed on the lack of sponsor's for women's events, even the broadcast coverage. Can it be blamed on skill? Harder work? No.

Golf is truly one of a few games where men and women play in the exact same format. The only difference? The yardages that they play.

Tennis at Grand Slam events have the same earnings for men and women, yet at other event's it isn't there fully. But even at majors men and women don't earn the same, and the men earn a high dollar more.

The largest earnings for a win on the LPGA for the 2016 season was at the US Open where Brittany Lang won $810,000. The largest earning for a win on the PGA tour was Jason Day at the TPC where he cashed a check for $1.89 Million. That's over a $1 million dollar difference. This year 44 PGA tour events had an earning of over $1 million for the winner. The highest earning for and LPGA player was $200,000 less than that.

If you don't think that is an issue, I think you should look again. Yes, we can blame that on sponsorship. But why don't LPGA events have as good of sponsorship as PGA tour events? Don't guys love when girls play golf in short skirts?

If you have ever watched an LPGA event versus a PGA event you will find that the women interact with the spectators, they actually are a lot more consistent with their shots and never have I seen an LPGA player get fined for a profanity on the course on camera or for spitting on the green.


Why don't people talk about this? We cared when the US womens' soccer team complained of their wage. Yet, what are we doing about women that play golf? You know I never have heard them complain, but maybe that's because they are in it because they truly love the game and want to grow the game. Instead of just playing to win and make money like a few PGA player have stated.

I think it's time for LPGA to earn what they deserve. What about you?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

632
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

398
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199386
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20381
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments