Women in Golf: Going From Zero to SEXY

Sex sells. But does it actually do anything to grow the game?

While scrolling through Facebook this weekend, something caught my eye. I’m sure it caught many eyes. It was a post by Golf Digest featuring a photo of Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kelly Rohrbach seductively perched on the beach. Yes, she is gorgeous. I’m not here to argue that. (And, before we go any further, I’m fully aware of what “click bait” is. Not familiar with the term? You can find the definition here.)

I'm here to break down why the hypersexualization of women does nothing to inspire participation and actually grow the game. And why, as an industry, we have to be better than this.

Here we go:

Did the image and article cause a social media debate and discussion? Yes.

Did the image cause clicks and create traffic? No doubt.

Did the image inspire a man or woman to go out, buy a set of clubs and take up the game? Probably not.

Let's be honest. This has NOTHING to do with golf. Its a mere coincidence that she is a former Georgetown golfer who happened to pose for Sports Illustrated. However, it says a lot. A picture is worth 1,000 words, right? How about instead of catering to stereotypes, we start to inspire younger generations?

Side note: Not only did she play at Georgetown, she graduated from there in 2012. A university whose acceptance rate in 2012 was 17% — admitting less than 3,500 of the 21,145 that applied. As far as I’m concerned, that’s quite the accomplishment. Let that be of inspiration.

There is so much energy being put into quality initiatives to grow the game—youth programs, military outreach and cultivating the millennial generation—that relying on the prurient “sex sells” aspect is insulting.

Golf supposedly prides itself on prestige, honor and class, yet it is always quick to sell out for some T&A, sexual innuendo-laced commentary and/or pop culture “validation.”

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this – nor will it be the last.

Photo: Jan Stephenson circa 1986

Photo: Paulina Gretzky, Golf Digest 2014

On a much larger scale, it is important to note that while golf tends to celebrate women in roles like model, trophy wife (aka “the better looking halves of PGA Tour players”), cart girl, etc., there are many industries and nationwide initiatives focused on breaking down female stereotypes, not playing into them. It’s time to recognize the damaging, downward trends of self-esteem in both the boys and girls of today's youth.

In other news, 17-year-old Lydia Ko, the youngest No. 1 player in the history of golf, won her second LPGA event of the year this past weekend. She has 2 wins in 3 starts since taking over the world’s top spot—and 10 professional wins overall. That’s something to talk about.

RELATED LINKS

Former DU Standout Gets First Professional Win

DU’s Daffinrud Qualifies for D1 Women’s Golf Championship

First Tee of Denver Goes Above and Beyond

DU Women Seek 11th Straight Conference Title

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