Golf Digest Cover goes risque once again *possibly NSFW*

[dkolo]

Golf digest, like many magazines are in a world of hurt & are desparate for anyone to simply pick it up. Lexi is a beautiful women and I think more so in her golf swing and with her shirt on. I expect a photo like that on another magazine not golf digest. I think it cheapens the product. Clearly something is happening at GD, with articles about losers like Johnny Manzel and Lance Armstrong....who are they trying to appeal to? Or alienate? It seems as of late the first several pages, do not even feature golf related product, rather luxury automobiles and ciallis ads

I get my subscription for $4.50 a year. I don't know how they break even at that price. I wind up tossing the physical copy and just reading it on my iPad on the train.

[Spitfisher]

I get my subscription for $4.50 a year. I don't know how they break even at that price. I wind up tossing the physical copy and just reading it on my iPad on the train.

I have subscribed for over 25 years and haven't paid for it in over 15 years easily.

[newtogolf]

Golf digest, like many magazines are in a world of hurt & are desparate for anyone to simply pick it up. Lexi is a beautiful women and I think more so in her golf swing and with her shirt on. I expect a photo like that on another magazine not golf digest. I think it cheapens the product.

I agree, there are plenty of LPGA members that are forced to "model" because they don't make enough money playing golf.  I'd have preferred a picture of Lexi wearing a flattering golf outfit making a powerful golf swing to exhibit her fitness, not one of her covered only in a towel showing side boob.

[dkolo]

I have subscribed for over 25 years and haven't paid for it in over 15 years easily.

Yeah, I got it through some rewards programs for the first few years, but I was late on the renewals and since the Hot List issue was coming up, I didn't want to miss it. Four bucks may as well be free haha.

[NJpatbee]

Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines and as we all know sex sells.  But let's not go overboard - a little provocative, yes, porn - no.  As much as Golf Digest wants to sell magazines the LPGA wants more men to follow the sport.  There certainly are men that would follow a champion golfer is she was also a knockout, but it is the same for women.  Did you ever hear interviews with women at the Patriot's games wearing Tom Brady jersey's?  Sure he is a great player but he happens to have movie star looks and has a large female following because of it.  How about Freddie Couples, John Elway, and Joe Namath?  It's just marketing, and Lexi has the right to wink at potential male fans and expand her following and get some endorsements.  Natalie Golbis is a good golfer but not Hall of Fame material, but she has made a fortune for herself with her looks.  Let's remember all professional sports is about making money, on and off the playing fields.

[Dave2512]

I don' t find the cover risque but it isn't flattering. She looks about 15 years older than she is. If this wasn't the cover of GD not sure I would have recognized her.

[Mulligan Jeff]

Ridding its image of an old-mans game GD is striving to attract it fastest growing segment (ages 25-34). Google: new work: 'golf digest'|new at pentagram. New.pentagram.com/new-work-golf-digest

[GolfLug]

I get my subscription for $4.50 a year. I don't know how they break even at that price. I wind up tossing the physical copy and just reading it on my iPad on the train.

Revenue from advertising is principal source. Subscription revenue is a 'bonus'.

[newtogolf]

Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines and as we all know sex sells.  But let's not go overboard - a little provocative, yes, porn - no.  As much as Golf Digest wants to sell magazines the LPGA wants more men to follow the sport.  There certainly are men that would follow a champion golfer is she was also a knockout, but it is the same for women.  Did you ever hear interviews with women at the Patriot's games wearing Tom Brady jersey's?  Sure he is a great player but he happens to have movie star looks and has a large female following because of it.  How about Freddie Couples, John Elway, and Joe Namath?  It's just marketing, and Lexi has the right to wink at potential male fans and expand her following and get some endorsements.  Natalie Golbis is a good golfer but not Hall of Fame material, but she has made a fortune for herself with her looks.  Let's remember all professional sports is about making money, on and off the playing fields.

I'm not criticizing Lexi for posing for the cover or doing what she has to in order to increase her income.  I just find it disappointing that GD felt it was necessary for her to disrobe in order to be placed on the cover of their magazine.  IMO if the LPGA really wants to gain recognition for their members golfing abilities they should be pushing publications to showcase their members playing golf not showing skin, unless of course they intend to sell out completely and switch the acronym so the "L"  stands for Lingerie not Ladies

[acerimusdux]

I don' t find the cover risque but it isn't flattering. She looks about 15 years older than she is. If this wasn't the cover of GD not sure I would have recognized her.

At first, for a moment, I thought it was Demi Moore.

[MrDC]

I don't have a problem with it, they're just trying to sell paper, not easy these days.

They did use a very athletic, dare I say masculine player though, imagine if they used Paula Creamer for that? yikes, the outrage! I think some purists would have a heart attack.

[Gunther]

I don't have a problem with it, they're just trying to sell paper, not easy these days. They did use a very athletic, dare I say masculine player though, imagine if they used Paula Creamer for that? yikes, the outrage! I think some purists would have a heart attack.

The article, evidently, is about chicks who hit it farther than we hackers; Paula doesn't fit into that group. My beef with the cover is that it doesn't appear to be relevant to the article. Lexi's not sporting ripped arms or anything so what was the point?

[Deryck Griffith]

I'm sorry but really, what's the big deal?  Like reeaaalllly, what's the big deal?  The picture really isn't that bad, at all.  Also, I more care about and am happy that they are putting LPGA player(s) on the cover vs. Paulina who has absolutely 0 to do with the game.

Another thing, spend 2 hrs watching a LPGA tournament and you'll see more skin, short skirts / legs than Lexi has in her picture.  The reality is, since the beginning of time, woman have always been "willingly" sexualized.  Well, maybe less way back in the past then today but in today's world, the key word is willingly...We can debate on the extent to how far the sexualizing goes and IMO, this cover really didn't take it that far.  I applaud Lexi for having the confidence to promote herself 1, and 2, promote the LPGA.  This is a version of "girl power" that us men don't fully understand and good on Lexi for saying "here I am and "I'm proud of my body and the work I have put in to be here."

[inthehole]

^^ agree.   I give Lexi props.   In case anyone hasn't noticed, she's becoming a young woman, no longer a gawky teenager.    She changed her hair color this year, and improved her appearance in a number of ways.    She's sexy now, and I bet she likes it ... so why not flaunt it a little

[Crim]

The article, evidently, is about chicks who hit it farther than we hackers; Paula doesn't fit into that group.

My beef with the cover is that it doesn't appear to be relevant to the article. Lexi's not sporting ripped arms or anything so what was the point?

Well........

[inthehole]

Quote:

My beef with the cover is that it doesn't appear to be relevant to the article. Lexi's not sporting ripped arms or anything so what was the point?

tap tap tap (noggin).    She's sexy and she can OUTDRIVE most of us hackers.       There's a fairly obvious male ego stick poke at work here ...

[Deryck Griffith]

The article, evidently, is about chicks who hit it farther than we hackers; Paula doesn't fit into that group.

My beef with the cover is that it doesn't appear to be relevant to the article. Lexi's not sporting ripped arms or anything so what was the point?

Ripped arms doesn't necessarily equate to distance which applies to both men and woman.

That said however, technically in comparison to "most" woman (not all of course), Lexi might not necessarily be considered "ripped" but certainly in phenomenal shape and being in phenomenal shape certainly is relevant to the article.

[Mr. Desmond]

Imagine the outrage with two attractive LPGA Professionals, both with a towel draped over them...

As to Lexi, I've seen more skin at a US beach, and then at St. Tropez or any public swimming pool in France, well anything goes ... the mag cover is tame...

If Lexi wants to expand her brand, earn money, and help GD make money, it's her decision. It's a picture, and she pictures a fat bank account. Capitalism. And the skin is nothing that excites mature a lot of people. Look at it relevant to the SI Swimsuit Issue... a little skin will raise controversy among a generally conservative golfing market.

Crossed out 'mature' because I don't want to be judgmental, understanding we have a wide range of morals and what is considered "moral."

This 'controversy' is not a controversy to me ....