WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO: Paige Spiranac is not only an incredibly talented golfer, but she's also unafraid to speak her mind. Her podcast, 'Playing a Round', is a must-listen for anyone who shares her passion for the sport. Throughout the episode, she takes a shot at golf and calls out the hypocrisy found within the game.
Spiranac is only 30 years old, but she's already made a name for herself as an Instagram sensation with over 3.5 million followers on Instagram. It's clear why she's so popular; she's undeniably striking. However, despite her good looks, she's faced criticism for her appearance. In fact, she's quick to note that her attractiveness has had a negative impact on her career.
Spiranac says golf is the 'absolute worst' place for her
When talking about golf, Spiranac doesn't hold back. "Golf is elitist, it's stuffy, it's exclusive and I hate that because I am not that and I was never welcomed in, and I'm still not welcomed in," she says. She goes on to express her frustration at the fact that she's often made to feel like an outsider within the world of golf, despite her skill and passion for the game. "I'm not refined, I'm raw and real and I wear what I want," Spiranac explains. "And I have always been so different, and golf is not that way." Despite her many successes, Spiranac says golf is the "absolute worst" place for her to be because she doesn't fit the traditional mold of what a golfer should look like or act like.
Spiranac goes on to explain that she believes the strict dress codes and expectations surrounding what golfers should wear puts people off the game. She's often criticized for the outfits she wears on the course, despite the fact that they're perfectly acceptable for casual play. Spiranac has even been called derogatory names like "sl*t" simply for wearing a tank top while playing. "There's just so much hypocrisy in golf and it's so frustrating for me," Spiranac says. She goes on to explain that she's constantly made to feel like an outcast and that it's incredibly discouraging. According to her, a charity even rejected her offer of help because of how she presented herself.
‘I want to give back to these kids’
Spiranac explains that she reached out to a charity to offer free golf clubs to kids in need, but was told that she couldn't help because of the way the board members view her. It's disappointing for her because she wants to make a difference in the lives of these children, but is being judged because of her appearance. "I wanted to help this charity out and I wanted to give them free golf clubs,” she said. “The guy wrote back and said, ‘We would love to but, because of the way our board members view you, you can’t help out’.
“I want to give back to these kids who don’t have anything, because I grew up not having anything, and I can’t even f***ing do that because of my cleavage.” “We bond over having a common interest and we all love the same thing … I don’t understand why it matters if you’re wearing a polo (shirt) and I’m not wearing a polo. “If a guy on tour wears shorts instead of pants, the world’s not going to end. In golf, people make all of these problems so serious and it’s not serious.”
Paige Spiranac's podcast is an eye-opening look into the challenges faced by women in the golfing world. Her honesty and willingness to call out the hypocrisy she's faced are admirable, and it's clear that she's a voice that needs to be heard.
