One of the most disquieting aspects of club-life for Irish women golfers has been confirmed in a survey: they have learned that the move towards full membership does not equate with equal status.

The Lansdowne Market Research survey, the findings of which are announced today, reveals that at clubs which offer full membership to all, more than 50 per cent of women are not involved in decisions on significant expenditure. Also, 60 per cent of women take no part in fixing annual subscriptions.

This is viewed as particularly disappointing by the Irish Ladies' Golf Union (ILGU), which commissioned the survey last September. The findings were based on group discussions with women golfers from a variety of clubs throughout the country and from a general questionnaire. Of the 341 ILGU-affiliated clubs circulated, 81 per cent responded during November and December last. The exercise, which was aimed specifically at women, rather than at men answering on their behalf, was intended as an update of an ILGU survey carried out in 1991.

On the face of it, things seem to have improved dramatically over the last seven years. Indeed, it could be argued that the current situation bears no resemblance to the position 15 years ago, when equality in golf first became a serious issue at national level.

In 1991, only 26 per cent of golf clubs offered full membership to women: by 1997, that figure had risen to 61 per cent.

Details vary substantially from district to district - from 95 per cent in the West to 79 per cent in the Midlands; 74 per cent in the South; down to 46 per cent in the East and only 36 per cent in the North. Still, the overall picture would appear to be decidedly encouraging.

It has long been a suspicion among women golfers, however, that certain moves towards equality were either cosmetic or expedient. For instance, it was extremely difficult to measure the goodwill of a male-dominated establishment which may have decided to grant full membership to women solely for the purposes of getting a Government or EU grant.

In that context, the survey appears to confirm their worst fears. And continued inequality tends to be most apparent in two, key areas: the availability of playing times and competitions, and involvement in club committees. The absence of any say in major, capital expenditure and the election of new women members are also common sources of ill-feeling.

As a consequence, only 25 per cent of women golfers offered full membership have availed of it. Granted, cost was considered a highly significant factor by 84 per cent of those surveyed, but 57 per cent felt there was "no gain or benefit".

Particularly disquieting is that 47 per cent believe full membership would make no difference to their status as golfers. From the five ILGU districts, players in the North and East feel more strongly discriminated against than those in the South, West or Midlands. This has to do partly with pressure on playing times, but also to "a perceived, innate chauvinism in some men".

Where playing times are concerned, 36 per cent of women golfers have two or more competition days per week, as opposed to 63 per cent of men. And the gulf broadens dramatically at the weekend when 92 per cent of men have playing rights, as against 49 per cent of women.

Through the course of a golfing year, 50 per cent of women have 10 or fewer weekend competitions, whereas 86 per cent of men have 11 or more weekend events. It was also found that 40 per cent of clubs make no provision for working women in terms of special weekend competitions or the facility of playing their normal competitions at the weekend.

The survey found that women are largely excluded from the most meaningful club committees. Only a third of clubs include women on their main administration or finance committees. It would appear that men are more than happy, however, to have women organise the social events: 80 per cent of these committees have female representation.

Nevertheless, there remains a strong desire among women for full membership. Indeed, of those clubs currently without full membership, 84 per cent would like it to be on offer.

This reflects a view I have long held on the issue. Rather than men highlighting the logistical difficulties of extending playing rights for women, there should be a general acceptance of the principal of equality. Once that is in place, the nuts and bolts can be sorted out through discussion.

The survey concludes: "The vast majority of women are adamant that lady golfers should have exactly the same rights as male golfers; that women should have full participation in club management and that all women should have a vote at the club management a.g.m."

On the basis of this latest information, however, it seems that there is still a long way to go before equal status for women is achieved in a meaningful sense.