‘Take a Stance’: Nelly Korda & Co. Called Out for Fearing LPGA Tour As Women’s Golf Struggles

Golf predominantly has always been more of a men’s sport. However, that stereotype has changed quite a bit, especially with the foundation of the LPGA Tour in 1991. Despite the LPGA Tour continuing to showcase world-class talent in women’s golf, there’s an ongoing conversation about how the sport can evolve to better engage with fans and create a more substantial presence which can also inspire more women to the sport. During a recent episode of Welcome to the Par-Tee, host Tisha Alyn and guest Charlotte Gibson, an ESPN reporter, explored the challenges of growing women’s golf and the need for players to step out of their comfort zones to help boost the sport’s profile.

Alyn kicked off the conversation by discussing the importance of women players showing more vulnerability and personality to allow fans to connect with them. “If we could get these girls on tour to speak up, if they could tap into what they’re feeling, we would have the huge pivotal moment that women’s golf deserves,” she said. Alyn believes that for the LPGA to grow and attract more fans, players must share their personal stories and not just stick to “fluff pieces” or safe, scripted answers.

Gibson agreed with Alyn’s viewpoint, explaining that there is often a cultural barrier within the LPGA Tour that makes players hesitant to truly open up. “I feel like, you know, I’ve been able to interview a few LPGA players now and just have close-quarter conversations. And I think what’s so hard is that within the LPGA tour, it seems that there is a culture there. The LPGA players are given like these media answers and they’re like, okay, we’re not making the tour mad, and the tour is also trying to help them, but also still trying to keep it very safe.”

Alyn elaborated on this idea, pointing out that while it’s understandable that some players are focused on their game and not everyone wants to be in the spotlight, there’s a balance to be struck. “When you’re a professional athlete, you can’t just show up and play golf. You need to do a little bit more if you want more people to watch,” Alyn said. She emphasized that top athletes, regardless of their sport, find a way to balance their craft by speaking out on issues and engaging with the public. Alyn continued, “The men on the PGA Tour might say they just want to play golf, but they’re still speaking out on topics, doing interviews, and being outspoken in their own way.”

This gives light to the fact that people love a story at the end of the day, playing the sport is one thing, but they also want to know the person behind those amazing golfing skills as well. This helps fans connect more to the athlete, which in turn helps in creating a stronger and larger fanbase. Women’s golf definitely needs that to be able to grow. While making a comparison of her interviews with other women athletes of different sports, Gibson also highlighted a crucial point — women in sports such as basketball or soccer tend to be more open about being interviewed but that is also because of the nature of the sport. These two sports in particular are quite fast-paced and most importantly are team-based. This makes the athlete more comfortable and open up more easily as compared to golf which is a much slower-paced sport with a single athlete playing on their own.

Jun 1, 2024; Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA; Hinako Shibuno (JPN) on the 18th green during the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Alyn’s message was clear: it’s time for the women on the LPGA Tour to embrace their voices and personalities. “The more we see who you are, the more people are going to want to follow you,” she said, encouraging players to take ownership of their stories and not be afraid to express themselves. This sentiment was reinforced by her point about the LPGA’s long-standing slogan, “Hugs, not handshakes.” While Alyn appreciates the camaraderie that the slogan promotes, she also believes it has unintentionally created a culture where players feel the need to keep things too “peaceful” and avoid ruffling any feathers. “I’m not saying you have to be a rebel or take a stance on everything,” she clarified, “but I would like the women on tour to take a stance on something, anything.”

Gibson echoed Alyn’s thoughts on the matter, suggesting that the media and tour organizations must step up as well. “The media has to find those stories, those characters, and make sure we’re giving these players a voice that isn’t just cookie-cutter,” Gibson said. She also mentioned how critical it is to stop comparing the LPGA Tour with the men’s PGA Tour, acknowledging the differences between the two. “Let’s stop comparing the two tours because they’re so different,” she added, reinforcing the idea that the women’s tour should have its own identity and spotlight.

Insiders believe that women’s golf should be incorporated into more events

Another part of the conversation revolved around how women’s golf could benefit from being part of more mixed-gender events. Alyn and Gibson both agreed that incorporating women into events like TGL, where men and women play together, would do wonders for exposure and the growth of the sport. Gibson suggested, “It would be amazing to have men and women playing together in events like that. It would amplify women’s personalities without feeling so controlled.”  That might also become a reality soon as there were hints of LPGA players joining the league.

Alyn also touched on the challenges women golfers face, including the grueling travel schedules and the financial strain when they don’t make the cut. She highlighted how this grind often goes unnoticed by casual fans who may not understand the hardships professional women golfers endure. Alyn believes that the key to elevating women’s golf lies in giving players opportunities to compete in more high-profile events, such as a professional women’s event at Augusta National, a dream that many golfers hope to see one day. “Let’s keep raising the bar,” she said, encouraging the sport to continue pushing for bigger and better opportunities for women in golf.

Ultimately, Alyn and Gibson’s conversation called for a shift in mindset. If women’s golf is to reach new heights, players need to feel comfortable stepping into the spotlight, sharing their stories, and embracing their unique voices. As Alyn put it, “We need to make sure that women don’t just have a seat at the table, but they own the table, they own the studio, they own the space they’re in.”