Golf is a sport filled with traditions and regulations. For many years, these rules have been accepted by golfers of all genders.
Recently, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) issued a new dress code policy that greatly restricts female athletes’ apparel choices on the golf course.
Players like Paige Spiranac were warned about this upcoming policy which restricts short skirts, leggings, and plunging necklines popular among female athletes and could result in fines up to $1,000.
It seems that some people think this new dress requirement is a throwback to the time when women were forbidden from hitting the ball farther than 80 yards because the stance needed for such a swing was considered unattractive to ladies wearing dresses.
Paige Spiranac has never been one to shy away from experimentation on the golf course or social media.
As an ambassador for golf and an advocate for women’s rights, she was quick to speak out against this new regulation that would make certain items of clothing off-limits for female players on the course.
She believes it does not consider comfort or body confidence of women in mind and may stifle growth of women’s game in general. Other professional sports have uniforms that are designed specifically to meet physical demands while looking good at same time: pole vaulters wear sports bras and briefs so they can move freely, tennis players wear sleeveless tops with skirts/shorts spandex shorts, and golfers need clothes that allow them rotate, extend crouch or bend in extreme weather conditions while playing for 5-6 hours straight without worrying about how their outfit looks like.
The LPGA responded saying their dress code requires players present themselves professionally as it reflects positive image of game itself but also made minor adjustments to policy based on input from players regarding changing fashion trends over time.
Heather Daly-Donofrio, chief of communications and tour operations noted “While we typically evaluate our policies at the end of the year, based on input from our players, we recently made some minor adjustments to the policy to address some changing fashion trends. The specifics of the policy have been shared directly with the members.”
Despite criticism coming from both fans and professionals alike, it seems LPGA still stands by its dress code policies so far as long as the “bottom area” isn’t visible because “that’s a totally other kind of entertainment”.
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