Stricter Dress Code Coming For LPGA

[I'_rather_be_golfing]

Yeah, let's talk about professional dress code.

 

 

 

 

[legitimategolf]

We the public only get to see about 5% of what goes on out there in any given LPGA tournament. Thus are any of us really qualified to judge what's going on. Is my question to you.

[I'_rather_be_golfing]

We the public only get to see about 5% of what goes on out there in any given LPGA tournament. Thus are any of us really qualified to judge what's going on. Is my question to you.

Excellent point.

 

[Nessism]

This thread needs more examples of inappropriate dress. So far all we have is some Michelle Wie shots. Is this the Michelle Wie rule?

[JeffreySpicoli]

Yeah, let's talk about professional dress code.

 

Red herring. Those examples aren't comparable as they are professional basketball players *off the court.*

[ThinkingPlus]

Okay, I'll comment, being a female who plays golf frequently.

 

My first consideration is comfort. It's hard to play any sport (let alone for a living) if you feel all squeezed like a sausage into your clothes. Stacy's outfits are what I would find comfortable (speaking only for myself here). Are they terribly stylish? Well, no, but I would suffer greatly in the tight, short spandex shorts or skort thingeys that Wiesy, Gal and some of the other girls wear. We've been yakking a lot on this thread about things that are more a matter of style than modesty, which is what I thought the new rules were all about. Wie's crop-top long-sleeved shirt? Modest but ridiculous looking.

 

I do appreciate a certain degree of modesty and think the shorts/skorts that barely cover the butt cheeks are tacky, no matter how shapely the golfer. Yes, Gal looks better in them than one of the heavy girls would, no denying that. Perhaps a rule defining those skirt/short length limits is appropriate.

 

As for racerbacks, collarless shirts, etc., I figure as long as the girl's top completely covers the breast area (sorry, boys), no cleavage and no side boobage are exposed and the shirt extends all the way to the waistband (tucked or untucked, makes no difference to me), it should be okay. Tank tops - generally tacky, perhaps, but if they're not too low cut and the shoulder straps are wide enough to cover the bra strap, probably not immodest.

 

As for whether women are interested in what PGA golfers wear, yes, I am to some extent, but it certainly doesn't bear on whether I'll be more interested in men's golf. I hate white pants, for example. When the sunlight is behind a guy golfer and the viewers can see right through his white pants so that it's like looking at an x-ray, it's mildly entertaining (I'll admit), but also a bit embarrassing.

 

I like a guy who looks good in his clothes. Certainly, the tall, well built slim guys like Stenson and Kaymer fall into that category, but guys like Simpson and Thomas do, as well. Of course, they're wearing clothing lines - Ralph Lauren, Polo, Hugo Boss - that are more timeless and classy than the "fad of the week" Nike stuff. Speaking of which, can Nike not make Rory a pair of pants that actually fit? And what's the deal with the puckered stripe they had running down T. Woods' back? Yuck. I wouldn't use those shirts to dry the dog. If I had one, which I don't.

 

Agree with you completely. I end up buying men's shirts frequently to get a looser fit so I can swing. Too many women's shirts are cut tight under the arms and through the torso. Also have started wearing lightweight long sleeve UPF 50 shirt under my Polo for sun protection. Much better than gooping tons of sunscreen all over my arms.

 

Nike's solar sleeves are great for UV protection and you don't have to deal with the extra weighting under your shirts in the summer. I know some other companies make similar products.

 

Sleeves are more expensive than the shirts I get. I also question how well they stay in place. The shirts are light so the extra weight is irrelevant. They also come in colors which sleeves don't seem to.

[I'_rather_be_golfing]

Yeah, let's talk about professional dress code.

 

Red herring. Those examples aren't comparable as they are professional basketball players *off the court.*

That is before the game. That is how they show up before the game starts. This is in reference to Stacey Lewis's comment.

 

I honestly have been shocked by the response to it. You look at other sports, the NFL, the NBA, they have a dress code when they're playing. They have a dress code when they travel. They have a dress code at functions. You guys with your jobs, you probably have a dress code, as well. I honestly don't understand the kick back we had from addressing the issues that we had on this tour, because I think we needed it to be honest.”

 

I'm just saying it's hard to sit back and say "ok you have a great point" or say "yes their is a problem with the dress code". When other sports dress code is the same thing. Take my pictures I posted for example. How on earth does that look professional?

[I'_rather_be_golfing]

The whole thing is blown out of proportion by the tour. It feels like all the pretty women are being shamed by their looks and the way they dress. With enough complaints on tour. The complaints can be justified.

[mallrat]

I've been trying to find the white UV Nike crop top because it IS much better than sunscreen goop, and/or pulling up the sleeves to stay on while playing. They're sold out of them everywhere. Can you share what other companies make something similar?

 

Send me a PM

[new2g0lf]

The whole thing is blown out of proportion by the tour. It feels like all the pretty women are being shamed by their looks and the way they dress. With enough complaints on tour. The complaints can be justified.

 

It's not about pretty or having a dress code. We know that the LPGA has had a dress code, just as the PGA and Euro Tour does. If some members violated the existing dress code it should have been handled on an individual basis.

 

The release of the letter combined with the comments of some members (Lewis and Kim) seem to indicate that the letter was done to placate some members of the Tour who didn't approve of how some of their peers were dressing. IMO the issue isn't about the dress code but what motivated the LPGA to send out the most recent letter that redefined it.

[Mick Douglas]

All the girls cover up their vital assets so this can be a sexual thing, if the tour want to be more professional and that's there goal limit the amount of sponsors a player can have this isn't nascar. This isn't a race thing but some of the Korean girls have 8 sponsors on their shirt and then the other extreme look at Webb today looks like a cap from a $2 shop and this is a professional look?

 

Part of their well paid job is to promote the sport and give the title sponsor of each tournament value for money but lets say all the players dressed like Webb and Eskimo Kerr today TV ratings would plummet, fashion and sex appeal is a must for this tour to thrive but yet they insist on change.

[new2g0lf]

All the girls cover up their vital assets so this can be a sexual thing, if the tour want to be more professional and that's there goal limit the amount of sponsors a player can have this isn't nascar. This isn't a race thing but some of the Korean girls have 8 sponsors on their shirt and then the other extreme look at Webb today looks like a cap from a $2 shop and this is a professional look?

 

Part of their well paid job is to promote the sport and give the title sponsor of each tournament value for money but lets say all the players dressed like Webb and Eskimo Kerr today TV ratings would plummet, fashion and sex appeal is a must for this tour to thrive but yet they insist on change.

 

The LPGA Tour should do whatever they think is best for the future of the Tour, all of the players and their sponsors. If the leaders of the LPGA feel the outfits Michelle Wie wears are not in the long term best interest of the LPGA Tour then they should speak to her directly.

 

It would be wrong for the LPGA to ask their members to dress more provocatively for ratings and it's just as wrong to ask members to change their style of dress (so long as it's in accordance with the existing dress code) to placate some members on tour who feel they are losing opportunities / income or don't like the image of those who wear more provocative outfits.

[Mick Douglas]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/frustrated-webb-laments-lack-leaderboard-18http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/frustrated-webb-laments-lack-leaderboard-18

[Strike Force]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

[Mick Douglas]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

100% agree but zero chance of happening.

[JeffreySpicoli]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

You're claiming a correlation between clothing and historical viewership levels? Please expound.

[new2g0lf]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

You're claiming a correlation between clothing and historical viewership levels? Please expound.

 

I don't believe he was making that correlation, he's simply pointing out that ratings for the US Women's Open were at record lows and the people in charge of the LPGA seem to be more worried about dress codes. We've heard golf overall is in trouble, I don't believe that's true, but I do believe the LPGA is going to struggle here in the US.

 

Women represent a smaller percentage of golfers, viewership overall has dropped but it impacts the LPGA more than other tours. Too many of the top women on the LPGA Tour are not from the United States and nearly half of the tournaments on the LPGA schedule are played outside the US.

 

The worst problem imo is the LPGA marketing is horrible, Whan needs to fire his entire marketing team and hire competent people who know how to attract views and promote the tour and players using a combination of broadcast ads and social media. Many of the LPGA members do a better job of marketing themselves than the LPGA does. The PGA Tour has worked hard to market Rory, DJ, Spieth, Jason Day, Fowler and even Bubba Watson.

 

Why isn't the LPGA asking the manufacturers to step up and promote their LPGA players? Why is James Hahn (#69 on WGC) on the front page of PXG's website and Lydia Ko (#4 Women's world golf rankings) isn't? As for LPGA commercials, they are horrible but I am glad they finally stopped using Paula Creamer in their ads.

[JeffreySpicoli]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

You're claiming a correlation between clothing and historical viewership levels? Please expound.

 

I don't believe he was making that correlation, he's simply pointing out that ratings for the US Women's Open were at record lows and the people in charge of the LPGA seem to be more worried about dress codes. We've heard golf overall is in trouble, I don't believe that's true, but I do believe the LPGA is going to struggle here in the US.

 

Women represent a smaller percentage of golfers, viewership overall has dropped but it impacts the LPGA more than other tours. Too many of the top women on the LPGA Tour are not from the United States and nearly half of the tournaments on the LPGA schedule are played outside the US.

 

The worst problem imo is the LPGA marketing is horrible, Whan needs to fire his entire marketing team and hire competent people who know how to attract views and promote the tour and players using a combination of broadcast ads and social media. Many of the LPGA members do a better job of marketing themselves than the LPGA does. The PGA Tour has worked hard to market Rory, DJ, Spieth, Jason Day, Fowler and even Bubba Watson.

 

Why isn't the LPGA asking the manufacturers to step up and promote their LPGA players? Why is James Hahn (#69 on WGC) on the front page of PXG's website and Lydia Ko (#4 Women's world golf rankings) isn't? As for LPGA commercials, they are horrible but I am glad they finally stopped using Paula Creamer in their ads.

 

While the LPGA may need to improve its marketing, the time involved in this dress code issue is minuscule. It's quite minor and I can't imagine there was an opportunity cost.

[Strike Force]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

You're claiming a correlation between clothing and historical viewership levels? Please expound.

 

I don't believe he was making that correlation, he's simply pointing out that ratings for the US Women's Open were at record lows and the people in charge of the LPGA seem to be more worried about dress codes.

 

[JeffreySpicoli]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

You're claiming a correlation between clothing and historical viewership levels? Please expound.

 

I don't believe he was making that correlation, he's simply pointing out that ratings for the US Women's Open were at record lows and the people in charge of the LPGA seem to be more worried about dress codes.

 

 

I see. So your post doesn't correlate with this thread.

[Strike Force]

I see. So your post doesn't correlate with this thread.

 

Sorry that you have difficulty comprehending...

[TheLarch]

Is it possible that part of the reason people in the U.S. don't watch the LPGA is:

a. The best players on the LPGA tour are primarily from Korea?

b. The KLPGA tour ladies are far more stylish and attractive than the LPGA players?

c. The very few American players that are competitive on the LPGA tour hardly ever smile, usually seem unhappy, and have to have their A game to be middle of the pack with the Asian ladies?

 

Yeah, probably not...

[North Texas]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

You're claiming a correlation between clothing and historical viewership levels? Please expound.

 

I don't believe he was making that correlation, he's simply pointing out that ratings for the US Women's Open were at record lows and the people in charge of the LPGA seem to be more worried about dress codes.

 

 

No he's not right. Can't believe that anyone believes that the LPGA is more worried about dress codes than they are ratings. Anyone who really believes that is just being plain stupid.

[North Texas]

The whole thing is blown out of proportion by the tour. It feels like all the pretty women are being shamed by their looks and the way they dress. With enough complaints on tour. The complaints can be justified.

 

It's being blown way more out of proportion in this thread.

[Brass_Bullseye]

There are five American players in the Rolex Top 25:

 

Lexi Thompson - #3: Young, attractive, stylish, great personality, great with the fans and plays an exciting brand of golf.

Cristie Kerr - #14: Obnoxious, grumpy, whiny, sssssssllllloooooooooooow and snippy with reporters and fans alike.

Danielle Kang - #18: Until two weeks ago I'd hardly seen her hit a shot or say a word on tv this season. More please.

Stacy Lewis - #19: The Jim Furyk of women's golf. She looks like she hates her job.

Gerina Piller - #24: Until she wins something she's not gonna move any needles.

 

That's why Americans don't watch the LPGA. Oh, and also the tournaments are hardly ever on tv and when they are they get bumped by the Senior and Web.com events. So there's that.

[AndyLL]

Is it possible that part of the reason people in the U.S. don't watch the LPGA is:

a. The best players on the LPGA tour are primarily from Korea?

b. The KLPGA tour ladies are far more stylish and attractive than the LPGA players?

c. The very few American players that are competitive on the LPGA tour hardly ever smile, usually seem unhappy, and have to have their A game to be middle of the pack with the Asian ladies?

 

Yeah, probably not...

 

So to fix these problems you modify the dress code?

[Highland]

So more people might watch LPGA if only more Americans (and fewer Asians) were winning and the competitors wore sexier clothing? I'm trying to summarize the past several posts. Please forgive me if I've misunderstood.

[JeffreySpicoli]

I see. So your post doesn't correlate with this thread.

 

Sorry that you have difficulty comprehending...

 

No. You simply want to make this dress code memo in a bigger deal than it is. As far as your reference to the TV ratings . . .

 

First, we have known that the LPGA has had challenges since the 2008 recession. That has to be discussed in order to understand that timeline.

 

Second, the diagram only addressed NBC & Fox viewership and it doesn't account for viewership in Korea and Japan. If those viewers are included, we have a whole different picture.

[BLLDWG23]

Maybe instead of focusing if the girls are showing 2% of flesh the LPGA tour should focus on their primary role of running an event and

tour.

 

The LPGA people charged with increasing attendances, television viewers and sponsor/advertiser interest need to be focusing on ways to improve those areas...not shamming the very people (LPGA players) that are responsible for its success.

 

 

 

Lack of ratings probably had to do more with not having a player that 90% of the American golf audience knows of, or a name they can pronounce. Not bashing the Asian players but most of the general golf watching audience doesn't know them or care too. Right, wrong. or indifferent that's just viewership. Same with the guys no Spieth, Fowler, DJ etc. and the number typically drops, not as bad but it drops. If a few of the names on the leader board was Thompson, Henderson, Creamer, Korda, etc. The ratings would of been much better. If you ask most viewers that watch golf who the #1 female in the world is they probably don't know or would tell you Lydia Ko or Lexi. For them they turn on the TV see 8 Korean flags of the 10, and no American flag and the channel gets flipped. It is what it is.

[legitimategolf]

If one gets hardcore enough into golf, the nationalities of players ceases to matter. That's my experience at least. I'm there to watch how people play golf, if a player shares my nationality it hardly does anything for me. Some of my least favorites on the LPGA are my own countrywomen LOL. My favorite player right now is Sung Hyun Park who would probably consider me a obnoxious d-bag American and not worth her time. What can I say I like the way she swings and her quiet mysterious persona. I get it though, I'm the weird one. Feel sorry for all you die-hard American LPGA player fans these days. Hard times.