The social media space was abuzz when a video tutorial by Paige Spiranac on golfing techniques became an internet sensation. But it was not her expertise in golf that took center stage. Critics accused her of using the sport as a platform to sexualize her image, and the feedback was far from complimentary.
Paige Spiranac, a former golf professional now known as a social media influencer, has been straightforward about her choice of clothing. She tells her followers that maintaining a certain image necessitates her particular style. Her distinctive attire and apparent over-sexualization have earned her a contentious reputation.
View this post on Instagram
Spiranac shared a video on Instagram showing her taking on the 18th hole at the Alpine Country Club in New Jersey. Clad in a revealing all-white ensemble, she engaged her followers by inviting them to virtually join her for a round. Unfortunately, the video was swarmed by unsuitable comments, many of which were sexually suggestive.
View this post on Instagram
A significant portion of these improper comments seemed to be from male followers. One less explicit remark read, “I guess I see what you want to be known for.” This isn’t the first instance where Spiranac’s wardrobe has stirred controversy. After facing criticism from a fellow female golfer over her outfit at a new course in 2022, she confessed to being “traumatized”.
View this post on Instagram
The Sun reported that Spiranac was left in tears after a so-called “golf Karen” chastised her for her “extremely inappropriate” clothing choice. The encounter with the angry golfer left her shaken. Despite making sure her attire met the new course’s dress code, she was confronted about it on the range.
View this post on Instagram
“I was careful to wear something that wouldn’t create issues,” Spiranac shared. “My outfit had a collar, was zipped up to avoid showing cleavage, and it was mid-thigh length. It seemed quite suitable to me. I noticed a lady talking to a staff member. I couldn’t hear clearly but then I heard her say ‘her attire is not acceptable, we have regulations, I need to speak to her.'”
Spiranac, the ex-golf champ, said, “I was nervous as I hit the tee because I never want to make a negative first impression. I make a point to dress appropriately to avoid fueling any preconceived notions about me.”
Despite an uncomfortable start, Spiranac managed to complete the round. However, she was later confronted in the parking lot. “She approached me directly, stopped me and said, ‘Woman to woman, you need to understand, although you look adorable, your attire is inappropriate. We have rules and that outfit isn’t acceptable here,'” recalled Spiranac.
“She was patronizing and extremely rude,” Spiranac continued. “She spoke to me as if I was a novice on the golf course, too unsophisticated to understand the rules, and as if I was an unintelligent young woman disrespecting the game.”
Paige Spiranac expressed, “I was quietly enjoying my game, yet she made a deliberate attempt to belittle me. It was one of the most distressing incidents I’ve encountered on a golf course in recent times. I was in tears all the way back home.”
The famed golf influencer later addressed her detractors. Speaking to Golf Digest, she said, “What I put out there isn’t overly provocative. If my physique makes someone uneasy, that’s not on me. I’m not breaking any laws or causing harm. Maybe I seem like a fantasy to men – a bikini-clad woman who enjoys golf – but I view myself as a woman’s woman. My intent is genuine.”
Leave a Reply