"Women are welcome to play any time they like, as long as it's not Saturday mornings," says one man in a satirical car advert. And it is not too far from the truth.

Many golf clubs restrict the time that women can play, others have men-only bars, while some refuse to admit any women at all.

One female golfer told how she is only allowed in the bar at her golf club twice a year. Once to put the Christmas decorations up, and another to take them down again.

Another says it is a struggle to get 18 holes in, when women at her golf club are only allowed to start playing at 11am on a Saturday.

The Equal Opportunities Commission is now urging the government to change the law to put a stop to sexism in golf clubs.

But if the government accepts this argument contained in a report to be published next week, golfing traditions built up over more than a century will have to be abolished.

Is it time tradition made way for the modern woman? Or are you tee'd off with the fairer sex invading your golf course?

Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs caused a stir last year when he called women golfers a pain.

In an article in Shires Golfer he accused them of being ignorant of the rules and etiquette of the game. He said their presence on the tee and in the committee room was "an abomination".

Spokeswoman for the Equal Opportunities Commission, Kim Scarlon said the complaints in this area have been increasing over the last 20 years since the Sex Discrimination Act was brought in.

"Women in the workplace are getting greater opportunities - why shouldn't this extend to their leisure time?"

What do you think?

Should women have equal rights at golf clubs?

Your reaction in full

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©