Golf has been spoilt by rights for ladies says BBC’s Alliss
added: “In some respects I agree with Peter. Equal rights in golf clubs has meant women have to pay the same fees as men.
“I know friends who say they play golf but maybe not as much as their husbands and think things were better before. I can see both sides of the coin.
“Things have improved hugely for women in sport in recent years. But there are ways of going about it and sometimes I think the gentle touch is needed.”
However, American golfer Lindsey Walker, 36, said: “I think your Mr Alliss sounds like a dinosaur.
“Of course in this day and age women should not be treated as second- class citizens.
“Golf is for everyone and women are happy to pay their way.”
Alliss, who began working for the BBC in 1961, also said the corporation should have tried harder to keep the rights to screen live coverage of the Open Championships.
Sky Sports will take over the live coverage of golf’s oldest tournament from 2017.
He admitted that the BBC could not compete with Sky’s deep pockets but added: “I don’t think there were enough people at the BBC dealing with the negotiations who cared enough.”
He also defied critics of his relaxed broadcasting style, saying: “They just don’t like my delivery. They either think I waffle on or don’t know enough about the young players.
“I think I’ve moved very well with the times. I’ve got problems getting about but the brain is still sharp. When I don’t think it’s sharp enough I shall say, I’m off.”