Female golfers take aim at 'archaic' new dress rules

A number of female golfers have been left unhappy after the LPGA implemented strict new dress regulations that some have labelled 'body shaming'.

The Women’s British Open has been overshadowed by the row, leaving players and commentators upset by the new edict.

In an email sent to all players recently, part of the regulations state that a “skirt must be long enough to not see your bottom area (even if covered by under shorts) at any time, standing or bent over”.

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English player Charley Hull spoke out about the controversy ahead of the major tournament at Kingsbarns.

"A couple of weeks ago I, along with all the girls on the LPGA Tour, received an email explaining that as part of the new dress code, plunging neck lines, leggings and revealing skirts are now banned," she said.

"I don't wear any of them, so it doesn’t really affect me. But I think it’s a shame, as many people label golf old fashioned and we need to move away from that.

"Golf needs to be more original and athletic. If you look at most golfers, I don’t think they look that good. If the clothes were cool, more people would play and watch it.

"I like what Jason Day wore on the first day of The Open this year — white high-top trainers and black tracksuit bottoms.

"Some people didn’t like it, but that sort of outfit will attract younger fans."

Players face a $1000 fine for a breach, and American Michelle Wie recently said she feels she is being targeted.

"It’s something that I have been slightly fighting with them for the whole year," Wie said.

"We've been having a lot of discussions because a couple of outfits I have worn this year have raised eyebrows a little bit.

"So I can see where they're coming from, but I think it's a little bit unfortunate."

One of the sport's most recognisable and controversial figures - Paige Spiranac - regularly posts risque photos to her social media accounts and has a massive following.

While she isn't actually on the LPGA tour, Spiranac recently slammed the new dress code.

"Most likely, this edict was put into place to eliminate the presence of cleavage," the 24-year-old American said.

"In that case, a curvier, fuller-figured woman would be chided and fined far more often than a woman with a smaller bust."

Journalist Suzannah Weiss previosuly compared the LPGA's stance to 'slut-shaming'.

"As more and more pointless dress codes interfere with our daily lives, women are standing up for their right to wear what they want and not be slut-shamed," Weiss wrote.

"Apparently, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) missed the memo about that. It just announced a dress code that sets its athletes — and women as a whole — way back.

"[W]e don’t see why someone can't look professional in leggings.

"If anything, policing these women's bodies and clothes takes away from their professional accomplishments. And if the sport wants a positive image, body-shaming is not the way to get it."

The new guidelines are as follows:

• 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

Fans have also taken to social media in anger over the developments.