Stricter Dress Code Coming For LPGA

[BoogieThumper]

By

Ashley Mayo

 

 

Starting on Monday, July 17, the LPGA Tour will enforce a dress code policy that cracks down on athletic wear. In an email directly to Tour players on July 2, LPGA Player President Vicki Goetze-Ackerman outlined a list of items that will no longer be allowed. The email was marked as "important" and had a subject line that read, "Updated Policy to begin in Toledo." Here's the new dress code as it appeared in the email:

• Racerback with a mock or regular collar are allowed (no collar = no
  racerback)
  
• Plunging necklines are NOT allowed.
  
• Leggings, unless under a skort or shorts, are NOT allowed
  
• Length of skirt, skort, and shorts MUST be long enough to not see your bottom area (even if covered by under shorts) at any time, standing or bent over.
  
• Appropriate attire should be worn to pro-am parties. You should be dressing yourself to present a professional image. Unless otherwise told “no,” golf clothes are acceptable. Dressy jeans are allowed, but cut-offs or jeans with holes are NOT allowed.
  
• Workout gear and jeans (all colors) NOT allowed inside the ropes
  
• Joggers are NOT allowed
  

The harsh language here -- capitalization of every NOT; dated phrases like "plunging necklines" and "bottom area" -- begs the question: Who on the LPGA Tour began dressing offensive enough to drive the implementation of this new policy?

Goetze-Ackerman went on to explain that it's an LPGA Tour player's "job" to notify her clothing sponsors of this new policy, and that "penalties for violating the dress code will be a $1,000 and it will double with each offense."

When we asked the LPGA to comment, Heather Daly-Donofrio, the tour's chief communications and tour operations officer, offered the following statement: "The dress code requires players to present themselves in a professional manner to reflect a positive image for the game. 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."

 

In an era when Instagram "golf babes" are dressing more provocative than ever and consequently attracting more attention and sponsorships than many professional golfers do, perhaps the LPGA Tour is trying to set an entirely different tone in an effort to command respect and separate itself as a highly different, more professional product. Even so, why take away a golfer's freedom to feel like an athlete in joggers? Or leggings? Or racerback tops? These pieces of clothing can look highly polished when worn correctly, so why not encourage a more professional look instead of banning such pieces altogether?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ross Kinnaird

Earlier this year, we commended the LPGA Tour for modernizing what qualifies as appropriate golf apparel. We used Michelle Wie as an example of a golfer who looks more like an athlete than most golfers ever have, and we applauded the LPGA Tour for allowing that. Wie had been wearing collarless, sleeveless racerback tops almost exclusively all year, and why is there anything wrong with that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traci Edwards/PGA of America

Lately, however, Wie has been wearing sun sleeves to cover up her arms, most likely in an effort to appease those who are offended by her bare shoulders. And going forward, she and her LPGA Tour colleagues might have to be careful about the length of their skirts should they want to avoid those significant fines.

[legitimategolf]

People (mostly non-LPGA fans I am guessing) are going to get triggered by this but I think it makes sense. Showing a little more skin is not going to affect the LPGA's bottom line. Let's face it. At the end of the day people tune in for the golf and competition. Might as well strive for some professionalism in their dress, like the men's game. Some of the LPGA players look quite casual at times, I have noticed. Michelle really does look like she's been borrowing from her gym clothes drawer this year.

[ChronicSlicer]

Traci Edwards/PGA of America

Lately, however, Wie has been wearing sun sleeves to cover up her arms, most likely in an effort to appease those who are offended by her bare shoulders. And going forward, she and her LPGA Tour colleagues might have to be careful about the length of their skirts should they want to avoid those significant fines.

 

Is it still 1950..offended by bare shoulders..It`s as bad as the men not being able to wear shorts.I understand the idea, but what about comfort and keeping cool out there?

[MattyO1984]

It seems like a completely unnecessary move to me.

 

I'm probably classed as a casual viewer of LPGA golf, I'll watch it if it is on, but I rarely go out of my way to catch it. Never watched it and thought that the clothing the ladies are wearing is inappropriate.

 

The whole tone of the message seems so condescending as well. Captialising every use of the word not makes it sound like a bunch of people in their 50's telling a bunch of people in the 20's what they can do.

[Z1ggy16]

Message makes it seems like there are so many gross violations of this rule. The players can read... Why the need to put in all caps the NOT. ? Seems pretty unprofessional to me.

[Argonne69]

Bah. I haven't seen anything that would offend more than 2% of fans. Well, maybe the ill-fitting, baggy shorts that many players wear. I've seen better dressed players at the local muni.

[TM_HOYER]

To me issue they should be addressing are the golfers that have so many sponsor names on their shirt and hat that they look more like a NASCAR driver than a LPGA golfer. The only item on the list that I think needed to be done is about the leggings. Leggings are not pants. They are a clothing item that are worn under shorts or skirts.

[KMeloney]

The players can read... Why the need to put in all caps the NOT. ? Seems pretty unprofessional to me.

 

Probably because this list includes things that are allowed, too. I don't think there's cause for concern over the capitalization.

[legitimategolf]

Message makes it seems like there are so many gross violations of this rule. The players can read... Why the need to put in all caps the NOT. ? Seems pretty unprofessional to me.

 

I would guess it's because the LPGA tour is highly international, as well as young. Many of the players are not even old enough to rent their own car.

[Nessism]

Seems like a reasonable policy to me.

[legitimategolf]

Bah. I haven't seen anything that would offend more than 2% of fans. Well, maybe the ill-fitting, baggy shorts that many players wear. I've seen better dressed players at the local muni.

 

Maybe it's not about being offensive, but rather about establishing a certain standard. I.e. I don't think the PGA TOUR prohibits shorts for the reason that they offend anyone.

[BoogieThumper]

It would be interesting if the LPGA actually took notice of the Instagram half naked golfer thing going on right now and decided we are going to be heavy handed and go in the total opposite direction.

[Argonne69]

To me issue they should be addressing are the golfers that have so many sponsor names on their shirt and hat that they look more like a NASCAR driver than a LPGA golfer. The only item on the list that I think needed to be done is about the leggings. Leggings are not pants. They are a clothing item that are worn under shorts or skirts.

 

I don't recall seeing a single player ever wear leggings that weren't under a skort or shorts. Are they talking about knee high stockings? They're extremely rare on the LPGA.

[TM_HOYER]

To me issue they should be addressing are the golfers that have so many sponsor names on their shirt and hat that they look more like a NASCAR driver than a LPGA golfer. The only item on the list that I think needed to be done is about the leggings. Leggings are not pants. They are a clothing item that are worn under shorts or skirts.

 

I don't recall seeing a single player ever wear leggings that weren't under a skort or shorts. Are they talking about knee high stockings? They're extremely rare on the LPGA.

 

On TV, we do not see every golfer so there might be some that are wearing leggings as pants. Remember the United Airlines incident were they would not let the three teenagers board because they were wearing leggings with nothing over them. I see that more and more in public where leggings are being worn as if they are pants. The LPGA execs might have seen enough instances were they felt the golfers needed to be reminded.

 

Overall I like that many of the golfers are trying to be fashionable rather than going with the standard non-descript golf shirt and golf pants / shorts route.

[Argonne69]

Boas? Ears?

 

[Strike Force]

My question is - What is the LPGA afraid of? There must be something the LPGA 'authorities' are concerned about with how some tour players dress - what is it? Since many LPGA tour players are easily recognized in public away from tour stops, will the LPGA mandate a dress code policy for tour players anywhere in public so-as to present themselves in a professional manner to reflect a positive image for the game?

 

I'm betting some of the people at the LPGA responsible for this dress code policy are related to the people in the 1950s that complained about Elvis Presley's gyrating hips...

[SoCalTitleist]

Whats the problem with short skirts they have shorts under, and I never recall seeing low cut blouse.

[95124hacker]

To me issue they should be addressing are the golfers that have so many sponsor names on their shirt and hat that they look more like a NASCAR driver than a LPGA golfer. The only item on the list that I think needed to be done is about the leggings. Leggings are not pants. They are a clothing item that are worn under shorts or skirts.

 

I don't recall seeing a single player ever wear leggings that weren't under a skort or shorts. Are they talking about knee high stockings? They're extremely rare on the LPGA.

 

On TV, we do not see every golfer so there might be some that are wearing leggings as pants. Remember the United Airlines incident were they would not let the three teenagers board because they were wearing leggings with nothing over them. I see that more and more in public where leggings are being worn as if they are pants. The LPGA execs might have seen enough instances were they felt the golfers needed to be reminded.

 

Overall I like that many of the golfers are trying to be fashionable rather than going with the standard non-descript golf shirt and golf pants / shorts route.

 

Are talking about leggings or yoga pants (e.g. Lululemon type)? In my area that's all the young women wear 90% of the time in public.

 

I do agree some dress policy needs to be put in place, not because the clothing is offensive, but not really "proper" golf attire. Most daily fee courses I play at wouldn't allow gym clothes on the course, and even one public course in my area has the same dress policy for their range if you're only there to practice.

[Argonne69]

• Players will be required to submit to the "bottom area" test on the 1st tee. Players failing the test will be sent to the principal's office
  

 

[MB Dirtyy]

I honestly think the only players affected much is wie or nordqvist. Wie for her putting stance, and nordqvist because it seems like she doesn't wear shorts under her skirt.

[QuigleyDU]

Seems like a reasonable policy to me.

 

I completely agree but it still seems unneeded. i am a very conservative person for my age (37) but i dont think i have seen anything as racey as what venus williams wears regularly.

[Thrillhouse]

To be fair, the "athletic wear" you see ladies wearing on the golf course looks pretty presentable, as compared to if you let guys do it we'd look like a bunch of dolts in t shirts and gym shorts.

 

I'm not going to get into the whole "showing skin" thing because I don't think that's a big part of the LPGA's marketability (unlike tennis where it's huge). My point is that when I tune into LPGA events and see the athletic wear I think it looks pretty professional, I would argue more professional than the shorts past the knee/untucked polo shirts everyone was wearing at the senior LPGA (which was fine, but since it's being brought up we might as well compare) so I'm not sure what this rule is trying to achieve.

[TM_HOYER]

To me issue they should be addressing are the golfers that have so many sponsor names on their shirt and hat that they look more like a NASCAR driver than a LPGA golfer. The only item on the list that I think needed to be done is about the leggings. Leggings are not pants. They are a clothing item that are worn under shorts or skirts.

 

I don't recall seeing a single player ever wear leggings that weren't under a skort or shorts. Are they talking about knee high stockings? They're extremely rare on the LPGA.

 

On TV, we do not see every golfer so there might be some that are wearing leggings as pants. Remember the United Airlines incident were they would not let the three teenagers board because they were wearing leggings with nothing over them. I see that more and more in public where leggings are being worn as if they are pants. The LPGA execs might have seen enough instances were they felt the golfers needed to be reminded.

 

Overall I like that many of the golfers are trying to be fashionable rather than going with the standard non-descript golf shirt and golf pants / shorts route.

 

Are talking about leggings or yoga pants (e.g. Lululemon type)? In my area that's all the young women wear 90% of the time in public.

 

I do agree some dress policy needs to be put in place, not because the clothing is offensive, but not really "proper" golf attire. Most daily fee courses I play at wouldn't allow gym clothes on the course, and even one public course in my area has the same dress policy for their range if you're only there to practice.

 

I guess for someone of my age, they are one of the same. It does not matter what you call them, they are inappropriate in public without something over them.

[jgonz69]

Seems like they want to go back to this.

 

http://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/early-womens-golf/womens-golf-the-fashion-pages/

 

 

As usual nowadays, trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

[Argonne69]

Too much ankle?

 

[dlygrisse]

It seems like there are always one or two people that push the envelope of common sense that cause these knee jerk reactions to the rules. I have seen this many times at my work in terms of enforcing dress codes.

 

Throw in the fact that equipment/apparel sponsors are trying to push the envelope in terms of getting their product noticed and you could have some issues I suppose. I do think they should encourage more of a modern athletic look, so they appeal to the younger athletic crowd, and of course a little sex appeal never hurts, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

[TM_HOYER]

Seems like they want to go back to this.

 

http://www.scottishg...-fashion-pages/

 

 

As usual nowadays, trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

 

At work we get occasional reminder emails about appropriate dress for the office. They send it to everyone rather than pointing out the few violators of the dress code. Probably the same situation here.

[hankmoody]

Here's my take: a slight course correction is not the end of the world. In the tournament prior to the US Open, Jaye Marie Green was wearing what appeared to be to be volleyball shorts and a tee shirt. Amy Yang wears yoga pants/ tights. The length of some of the player's shorts is, TBH, really short. Apparently things have loosened up at the pro-am parties also.

 

LPGA wants to keep a good thing going. Young girls will push it (most dads will tell you this:) unless they get a reality check. So the LPGA felt it was time to tighten it up. I have no problem with it. They have a tour board and player input governance model.

[MB Dirtyy]

Here's my take: a slight course correction is not the end of the world. In the tournament prior to the US Open, Jaye Marie Green was wearing what appeared to be to be volleyball shorts and a tee shirt. Amy Yang wears yoga pants/ tights. The length of some of the player's shorts is, TBH, really short. Apparently things have loosened up at the pro-am parties also.

 

LPGA wants to keep a good thing going. Young girls will push it (most dads will tell you this:) unless they get a reality check. So the LPGA felt it was time to tighten it up. I have no problem with it. They have a tour board and player input governance model.

Nice user name. I binge watched Californication in a week.

[AdamSecrest]

I think this has less to do with clothing being too revealing; instead attempting to specify the blurry line between athletic and golf wear. The current acceptable dress code for golf prohibits athletic clothing. This defines some popular clothing as athletic wear, which had already been determined as inappropriate for a professional golfer.