Natalie Gulbis, the LPGA and the Golfer as Sex Debate

According to golf.com, Natalie Gulbis is the sexiest golfer in the LPGA, among eight other golfers selected for that title. The ages of the sexiest women, on the average, are in their '20s and are around 5'8". Most of these women are making the big bucks through modeling contracts for clothing, calendars and the like. Natalie Gulbis is most noted for her calendar pictures, including one that was pulled by the LPGA in 2006, according to About.com's.

Should the LPGA Encourage the View of Woman Golfer as Sex Toy?

Most of the photographs showing Natalie as a sexy woman, don't involve the game of golf. She's partially clothed, at the beach, and looking happily tanned. She's sexy because she's young, healthy, and beautiful. And the physical demands of playing golf will help ensure she stays that way. From the LPGA's view, a sexy woman golfer will increase viewer participations and that can only mean additional funds. But is there no other role for a woman golfer than as sex toy?

On one hand, I think the LPGA should want to encourage women to play golf and if it requires sex appeal to do it, I'm all for it. Golf is a game that encourages health and allows one to play from a very young age to a very old age. On the other hand, if women feel they are required to be as beautiful as a model to golf, I'm against it. The LPGA should encourage other profiles as well, including the role women play as decision maker, social conscious, intellectual, wife and mother.

The Woman Golfer as Decisions Maker

According to GolfforWomen.com astronaut Eileen Collins plays golf, mostly with her husband who seeks amateur golfer status. Golfing is a pressure cooker sport, with thousands of people watching your every move. Not only does the sport require judgment, ability to face challenges, and the ability to meet adversity.

One look at two top women golfers, Annika Sorenstam and Pat Bradley, will convince anyone that golfers might not fit the general physical profile of a sexy woman. She needs to be powerful, competitive and physically fit. They may not look sexy to everyone on the golf course, but they're often the ones to watch. They bring home the money.