Golf Digest Cover goes risque once again *possibly NSFW*

[dkolo]

Enough twisting words.

Bizarre referred to you classifying the cover as "showing her chest." It had nothing to do with the men in the documentary saying that they don't care about women's sports.

I don't know what you're trying to say there, but it does not seem relevant to this conversation.

You're missing the point. Why should a female athlete only be recognized for her athleticism? And how is being the cover model and showing off her body, of which she's ostensibly proud as it's the thing she uses in expressing her athleticism, not be "recognized for her athleticism"? It's not like they put Shen Shen Feng on the cover of the fitness issue.

I don't care about the documentary.

I think Golf Digest has a bit of a target on its head since they put Paulina on the cover, even though she's only tangentially related to the game, over other more accomplished female golfers. It's totally acceptable for them to put athletic female golfers on their covers and highlight their bodies when it's the fitness issue, but it'd take the bite out of the criticism if they occasionally had a female golfer on in similar poses they have the men in. Holly Sonders in May 2013 is the only really one that fits the bill. Michelle Wie's cover didn't have anything golf related on it. Inbee Park did amazing things in golf. Have her on with a 5 iron slung over he shoulder and we're good. I'm sure she can give us two or three tips on how to totally bomb it this year.

[iacas]

I think Golf Digest has a bit of a target on its head since they put Paulina on the cover, even though she's only tangentially related to the game, over other more accomplished female golfers. It's totally acceptable for them to put athletic female golfers on their covers and highlight their bodies when it's the fitness issue, but it'd take the bite out of the criticism if they occasionally had a female golfer on in similar poses they have the men in. Holly Sonders in May 2013 is the only really one that fits the bill. Michelle Wie's cover didn't have anything golf related on it. Inbee Park did amazing things in golf. Have her on with a 5 iron slung over he shoulder and we're good. I'm sure she can give us two or three tips on how to totally bomb it this year.

So what's your point exactly? They shouldn't have had Paulina on the cover? Okay. So what - what's that got to do with this cover, right here, right now, and Lexi's decision to do it or not? She shouldn't have because of a cover two years ago? She should have said "oh, get Camilo Villegas or something"? Of course not.

[dkolo]

So what's your point exactly? They shouldn't have had Paulina on the cover? Okay. So what - what's that got to do with this cover, right here, right now, and Lexi's decision to do it or not? She shouldn't have because of a cover two years ago? She should have said "oh, get Camilo Villegas or something"? Of course not.

Not at all. Just that Golf Digest seems to push the attractiveness angle in females over their golfer status in a disproportionate way to how they portray male golfers. It's fine in any given instance, but the whole trend taken together is kind of a bummer. They should occasionally make it seem like they're recognizing the female golfer for being an exceptional golfer.

[Shorty]

So what's your point exactly? They shouldn't have had Paulina on the cover? Okay. So what - what's that got to do with this cover, right here, right now, and Lexi's decision to do it or not? She shouldn't have because of a cover two years ago? She should have said "oh, get Camilo Villegas or something"? Of course not.

The point is that the wives and girlfriends of major sporting stars in all codes get pretty much more media coverage than female sporting stars themselves. That is a problem.

Lexi can do what she likes. It's her body.

But that doesn't mean that  a  male dominated sports media can't do some work to get better, even if part of the logic is to say "Hey guys, guess what? They aren't all fat ugly lesbians! Check this one out!"

This is a philosophical argument that is degenerating into a discussion about specifics, which isn't serving anyone.

I'll bet there are a lot of people who don't follow golf who wouldn't recognise Stacy Lewis or Lydia Ko if they bumped into them in the street.

But they may have seen bikini pics of Natalia Gulbis and Anna Kournikova and that is how they see women's tennis and women's golf.

Just because sex sells and people of a certain age can choose their own path doesn't mean that it helps everyone because it doesn't.

Laura Davies is most probably one of the nicest, most sincere and generous professional golfers ever to play the game, regularly turning up at charity golf events and doing stuff without making it a photo opportunity and adored by her peers. Not a "fitness" issue cover on her resume, but  lots snide remarks from frat boy types and those who should know better because she doesn't promote "femininity", for want of a better term.

It would be great to see someone who is making millions from the game resist the stereotypical "lads' mag" photoshoot.

Consumers should be demanding more. I'm not blaming the athletes.

But while men dominate the sports marketing and sports media worlds, it won't change.

[Mr. Desmond]

Think we're overthinking this ... it's about selling mags. Turn the page...

[Shorty]

Think we're overthinking this ... it's about selling mags. Turn the page...

True enough.

[iacas]

[QUOTE name="dkolo" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124208"]   Not at all. Just that Golf Digest seems to push the attractiveness angle in females over their golfer status in a disproportionate way to how they portray male golfers. [/QUOTE] So? The women, when asked, should say no? They should say "Put Patrick Reed on the cover instead?" Golf Digest is in it to sell magazines. They probably have a better idea how to do that than you or I. Plus, the month prior, they had Rory shirtless (yes, as a statue, but it still showed off some chiseled abs and so on). So…? [QUOTE name="dkolo" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124208"]   It's fine in any given instance, but the whole trend taken together is kind of a bummer. They should occasionally make it seem like they're recognizing the female golfer for being an exceptional golfer.  [/QUOTE] I don't care about the magazine, really. They're selling magazines and trying to remain relevant. I'm talking mostly about the decision Lexi made, and I haven't seen a good argument why she should have declined the offer or that it was a "bad" decision. [QUOTE name="Shorty" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124209"]   ​The point is that the wives and girlfriends of major sporting stars in all codes get pretty much more media coverage than female sporting stars themselves. That is a problem. [/QUOTE] @Shorty , you're doing a fine job of imitating a brick wall tonight. ;-) How the heck does a magazine cover where one of the LPGA's youngest rising stars continue that trend? That's rhetorical, because the answer is obvious: it doesn't.   [QUOTE name="Shorty" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124209"]   But that doesn't mean that  a  male dominated sports media can't do some work to get better, even if part of the logic is tpo say "Het guys, guess what? They aren't all fat ugly lesbians! Check this one out!" [/QUOTE] I'm not really discussing the "male dominated sports media."   [QUOTE name="Shorty" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124209"]   I'll bet there are a lot of people who don't follow golf who wouldn't recognise Stacy Lewis or Lydia Ko if they bumped into them in the street. But they may have seen bikini pics of Natalia Gulbis and Anna Kournikova and that is how they see women's tennis and women's golf. [/QUOTE] So what? Would you rather they just go on not recognizing the players at all? In any context?   [QUOTE name="Shorty" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124209"]   Just because sex sells and people of a certain age can choose their own path doesn't mean that it helps everyone because it doesn't. [/QUOTE] I don't see anyone making that argument.   [QUOTE name="Shorty" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124209"]   Laura Davies is most probably one of the nicest, most sincere and generous professional golfers ever to play the game, regularly turning up at charity golf events and doing stuff without making it a photo opportunity and adored by her peers. Not a "fitness" issue cover on her resume, but  lots snide remarks from frat boy types and those who should know better because she doesn't promote "femininity", for want of a better term. [/QUOTE] As you said, she shouldn't be on the cover of a fitness issue. Among the things I'm decidedly not discussing: the value of Laura Davies as a human being. [QUOTE name="Shorty" url="/t/81163/golf-digest-cover-goes-risque-once-again-possibly-nsfw/36#post_1124209"]   Consumers should be demanding more. I'm not blaming the athletes. [/QUOTE] You've talked plenty about "the athletes." Scroll back and re-read your posts. Good night.

[9424tm]

Stop twisting words or intentionally misleading or whatever it is you're doing. My use of the word "bizarre" referred to you classifying the cover in question as "showing her chest." It had nothing to do with the men in the documentary saying that they don't care about women's sports or whatever.

I don't know what you're trying to say there, but it does not seem relevant to this conversation. She's not a professional golfer looking to promote herself, make money, drive interest in the LPGA Tour, or other things like that.

And why should a female athlete only be recognized for her athleticism? And how is being the cover model and showing off her body, of which she's ostensibly proud as it's the thing she uses in expressing her athleticism, not being "recognized for her athleticism"?

I don't care about the documentary. At the end of the day, you're passing judgment despite not being a young female golfer with a major on her record already. You don't like it. That doesn't make it wrong.

How on earth does it "take away from her golfing ability"? Do they remove one tournament win or add a stroke to her scorecard every time she does something some old man somewhere does not approve of?

Inbee is not as "fit" as Lexi, and the issue is the Fitness issue. Lexi is, one could conclude, proud of her body. At least this year we don't have a TV host (Holly) or a girlfriend/party girl (Paulina). At least this year we have a golfer.

Straw man. It's the fitness issue. I highly doubt the oncology monthly publications have "fitness" issues.

Fitness issue? Sure it is. And if she had whip cream on her chest would it be the cooking issue? When is the last time you saw a woman working out topless in the gym? I have my own feelings about the cover but let's call it for what it is, the sex sells issue. Marketing 101.

[dkolo]

So? The women, when asked, should say no? They should say "Put Patrick Reed on the cover instead?" Golf Digest is in it to sell magazines. They probably have a better idea how to do that than you or I. Plus, the month prior, they had Rory shirtless (yes, as a statue, but it still showed off some chiseled abs and so on). So…? I don't care about the magazine, really. They're selling magazines and trying to remain relevant. I'm talking mostly about the decision Lexi made, and I haven't seen a good argument why she should have declined the offer or that it was a "bad" decision.

I think you're misunderstanding me. I'm not saying I have any problem with this or any particular cover shoot they've done with women (except maybe the Paulina one but even then, whatever). If Lexi is down for this kind of cover, I think she's welcome to go for it. No issues with it. But I'd like Golf Digest to make an effort to present female golfers as golfers and not sex symbols. Like, I doubt being topless was Lexi's idea when they approached her. I'm just encouraging Golf Digest to, in some of the rare instances they do present female golfers, focus on them as golfers. It's not something I'm really up in arms about by any means, just that I think it'd be a good thing for the game and the legitimacy of the women's tour if they presented them in a similar light to the men. So to your last point, our focuses are different. My point wasn't about Lexi's shoot in particular at all, just its position in the larger context.

[iacas]

Fitness issue? Sure it is.

It's the fitness issue. Yes. The rest of your post does not deserve a reply. @dkolo , again, I'm not discussing the magazine's decision. I'm sure they know more about selling magazines than you or I.

[9424tm]

It's the fitness issue. Yes. The rest of your post does not deserve a reply. @dkolo , again, I'm not discussing the magazine's decision. I'm sure they know more about selling magazines than you or I.

And People magazine is a good source for current world events.

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Just for the record, Anna Kournikova has two Grand Slam titles to her credit.  Neither of them can be taken away no matter how you slice it.

[Golfingdad]

Just for the record, Anna Kournikova has two Grand Slam titles to her credit.  Neither of them can be taken away no matter how you slice it.

Say what?????? Edit: never mind, I see that you're being sneaky and talking about doubles.

[dkolo]

Say what??????

She won in doubles.

[Shorty]

Just for the record, Anna Kournikova has two Grand Slam titles to her credit.  Neither of them can be taken away no matter how you slice it.

Two less than Todd Woodbridge's 22 .

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Say what??????

Edit: never mind, I see that you're being sneaky and talking about doubles.

Driver:    Vapor Pro 9.5°  Wood & Hybrids : Covert Tour 13°, 18° & 21°
Irons & Wedges:    Covert 2.0  5i - AW,    56-14F,  60-07S
Putter:     Newport Select
Balls:  B330-RX

[Crim]

Think we're overthinking this ... it's about selling mags. Turn the page...

Was it a bad choice for young female golfers to see, though? I'm sure there are 10 or 11 year old girls out there obsessed with the game, some have a subscription to Golf Digest (or their parents do). In a era where a 17 year old is #1, is it ill fitting for a 19 year old star to be on the cover topless?

[Spitfisher]

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