(P.S. I agree with you: there SHOULD be some co-ed leagues in all sorts of sports, where nothing but the score matters, or how far you can hit or throw, how fast you can run, etc. :hi:)
... The main reason for the difference in strength between men and women is that men have the 'male' hormone testosterone. Men have much higher levels than women and it's what enables them to build up much larger amounts of muscle mass and strength. Without testosterone, increased muscle mass becomes difficult (if not impossible?) and even decreases.
Through the usual course of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women being treated for transsexualism, basically, our level of estrogen (female hormone) is increased and our production of testosterone is reduced. These hormones are responsible for significant changes to our mental, emotional and physical state. Although the mental and emotional changes affect the way we approach daily tasks (and possibly sport), I will focus on the physical as this is the main issue of contention.
Speaking from my own experience, when I started HRT my doctor told me that I would notice emotional changes as well as a loss in strength. This is something that didn't become evident until some time had past. What I'm saying is that it's not like we wake up one morning feeling suddenly weaker. The changes our bodies go through can be likened to that of going through puberty. As an example, for me it meant that, after time, I wasn't able to lift things I was once able to and with my golf, it means that I don't hit the ball as far as I used to. It's hard to say exactly what the difference is as equipment has changed so much. Clubs have been improved and balls also fly further.
My game needs only to be compared to that of the other girls to see there's no difference and more to the point, compare it with guys of the same standard .....there just is no comparison!
After we have had surgery there is nothing left in our bodies producing testosterone and drugs required to halt it's production are no longer required. Typically our levels of testosterone are lower than the average levels for women. After surgery, changes to our bodies with regard to strength are permanent and irreversible.
... One of the most preposterous suggestions I often hear is what's to stop any guy (maybe struggling to make it on the men's tour) having a sex change and then playing on the women's tour. This suggestion really goes to show the level of ignorance that does exist. We are born with physical sexual characteristics that are incongruous with our brain sex. We don't go through a sex 'change', but rather a sex 'correction' which brings our physical sex inline with our brain sex. We have a profound sense of who we are from an early age and this isn't something we 'decide' to do. In fact, I dare any man to go through a 'sex change' and I take no responsibility for the outcome.
Just think about it guys.... what you're suggesting involves years of counselling and hormone replacement therapy, living as a woman, many years and thousands of dollars (not to mention the pain) on removal of facial hair and eventual surgery. Then you live the rest of your life as a woman. Remember, you can't just have it all undone when you find out it was the wrong thing to do! This isn't a game!
On the physical side of things, because of the treatment, he will lose muscle mass and strength and his sporting abilities won't be what they once might have been. He would basically need to 're-train' the body to adjust for this change. The guys life would likely become a disaster because he is exactly that ....a man! Besides the physical changes to his body, chances are he will become an emotional wreck. So much so I doubt he would have the mental capacity, or ability, to function in society, let alone play a game of golf ...and a tournament one at that.
Link:
http://www.miannegolf.com/somefacts.html
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