LPGA Implements More Conservative Dress Code Policy

According to Golf Digest, an email sent by LPGA Player President Vicki Goetze-Ackerman was sent directly to LPGA Tour Players on July 2 marked “important” with a subject line of “Updated Policy to begin in Toledo” outlining the new dress code:

– 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

Tour participants are required to relay these new codes to their sponsors and according to Goetze-Ackerman “penalties for violating the dress code will be $1,000 and it will double with each offense,” according to Golf Digest.

Recently praised for its modernization of what qualifies as appropriate golf attire, the LPGA has obviously had a change of heart. The recent regulations have resulted in a mixed reaction from Tour players.

“I may sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but this is our place of business and I think players should look professional,” Christina Kim told Golf.com. “Do you really need ventilation for your side-boob? It’s not going to make your score better.”

Sandra Gal wasn’t as accepting of the new dress code.

“I think racerbacks look great on women and I think short skirts have been around forever, especially in tennis, and I don’t think it’s hurt that sport at all, considering they play for the same prize money as the men,” Gal told Golf.com. “Our main objective is clear: play good golf. But part of being a woman, and especially a female-athlete, is looking attractive and sporty and fit, and that’s what women’s tennis does so well. Why shouldn’t we? I’ve talked to a few other players and, like me, they don’t agree with it, either.”

This isn’t the only recent case regarding athletes and their clothing. Wimbledon, which requires participants to wear all-white, recently made headlines for its dress code. Venus Williams had to change a pink bra and multiple participants, including a junior doubles pair and Jurij Rodionov, had to change their underwear because it violated the policy.