Comments : Veteran broadcaster Peter Alliss has sparked controversy by claiming gender equality laws have backfired and ‘ b*****ed up the game ’ Veteran broadcaster Peter Alliss has sparked controversy by claiming gender equality laws have backfired and ‘ b*****ed up the game ’ . Alliss , 84 , has said that legislation designed to stop golf clubs from discriminating against female members has instead prompted a decline in women ’ s membership . Some clubs had previously only allowed female members if they played at restricted times in return for a discounted membership fee . But the Equality Act 2010 , drafted by the previous Labour government , ruled that this was illegal discrimination , which means that women must now have equal access to the course – and pay the same membership rates as men . Mr Alliss , a former professional who is one of the game ’ s most decorated players , claimed that tens of thousands of members of the Ladies ’ Golf Union have deserted the organisation since the rules came into force . ‘ I ’ m told the Ladies ’ Golf Union has lost 150,000 members since equality for women came in , ’ Mr Alliss told the Radio Times . ‘ Hundreds of women have left golf clubs because they ’ ve gone from paying half fare to full fare . It ’ s caused mayhem. ’ He added : ‘ Equality for women : A few people battled away to get it , they got it , and they have buggered up the game for a lot of people. ’ But Sam Burton , finance director at the Ladies ’ Golf Union , said there has only been a decline of 30,000 women since the law came into force , taking membership down to 159,000 by last year . Mrs Burton said : ‘ It ’ s not good that ladies golf is declining and we have to look at it , but I don ’ t think it ’ s the equalities legislation that is to blame . Golf has been dominated by men and we are always going to be the minority in any club that is mixed . But on the whole golf is becoming much more equal. ’ Rant : He added : ‘ Equality for women : A few people battled away to get it , they got it , and they have buggered up the game for a lot of people. ’ She suggested that possible reasons why golf was not as popular among women included the fact that it was quite an expensive activity and that other sports such as cycling ‘ have been marketed more successfully at women ’ . She added : ‘ In 2015 we have to encourage equality and I certainly wouldn ’ t be a member at a club where I was treated differently just because I was a woman . ‘ I think a lot of ladies would feel the same in this day and age. ’ However , Tory MP Philip Davies said he agreed with Mr Alliss , adding : ‘ This is the consequence of all the legislation . The equality fanatics can ’ t pick and choose – they either want full equality or they don ’ t . If they want full equality then they are going to have to pay the same price as everybody else . ‘ I don ’ t suppose [ Mr Alliss ’ s ] view is outdated . His view is a factual view to be perfectly honest . He is looking at the practicalities of it. ’ The Equality Act applies to clubs with mixed memberships . Male-only golf clubs are still legal . Mr Alliss became a professional golfer in 1947 , represented Britain in the Ryder Cup eight times and won 21 tournaments in his career . He began working for the BBC in 1961 .
Peter Alliss says anti-discrimination laws have caused membership fall . Some clubs only allowed women at restricted times but for lower fares . Comment: Equality Act applies to clubs with mixed memberships . Male-only golf clubs are still legal .