Mansplaining: Golf pro Georgia Ball says viral TikTok reaction 'crazy'
- Published
Watch: Golf pro Georgia Ball on her viral 'mansplaining' TikTok
A female golf pro says the reaction to a viral "mansplaining" clip has been "crazy".
Georgia Ball's TikTok post capturing the moment a male golfer critiqued her technique has been viewed more than 10 million times.
It's also attracted 25,000 comments, many of them from other women wincing at the unsolicited tips.
Mansplaining refers to dishing out advice to women, without being asked, often to someone more qualified.
Georgia, a certified PGA pro and instructor, regularly posts advice videos to her TikTok account and often sets up a camera to record herself.
Her 90-second viral clip, external, filmed at a driving range near Liverpool, shows her finish a swing as a male voice off-camera immediately chips in with an "excuse me".
"You shouldn't be doing that," he says, before offering further tips.
Georgia replies that she's going through a "swing change" - something golfers do regularly to work on their technique.
The man continues to dispense advice, telling her to "follow through" and speed up her swing, before adding: "You know, I've been playing golf for 20 years".
Georgia once again explains that she's going through a swing change, before lining up another shot.
An on-screen caption pops up, reading: "I knew I had to make the next shot a good one".
She then swings, sending the ball flying in a straight line into the distance.
"See how much better that was?" the man remarks.
Georgia says she's been overwhelmed by the support she's had since posting the video
Viewers have accused the unseen observer of mansplaining during the "awkward" exchange and commended Georgia for being so polite through the whole encounter.
Others suggested she could have shut the conversation down by pointing out that she's actually a professional player.
But she tells BBC Newsbeat it's not in her nature.
"I wouldn't interrupt and say that," she says. "I suppose it's just the humble side of me."
And Georgia points out that the man was "right in what he said" about her swing, even if the way he delivered his advice didn't go down well with her followers.
She describes the 48 hours since uploading the video as "crazy", but in a good way.
"The reaction has been so positive," she says.
"All the support, the comments, the messages, it's just been so good.
"And I'm just so grateful for everything that's come through."
And despite the video apparently resonating with lots of those who watched it, Georgia says mansplaining isn't something she normally deals with.
"I have a lot of interaction with males and females every single day," she says.
"And I'd say it's mostly always positive.
She admits it was an "awkward situation" in the moment but since posting the video she's seen the funny side of the encounter.
"I'm just glad I can look back at it now and laugh about it because the majority of people and golfers are all just out to help each other," she says.
Related topics
- Published9 February
- Published24 January
- Published19 January
