The LPGA and the USGA have announced new gender policies that will come into effect in 2025, requiring players to be assigned female at birth or to have transitioned to female before undergoing male puberty in order to participate in female tournaments. This change follows over a year of study, which involved reviewing aspects of medicine, sports physiology, gender policy, and legal considerations. The move is part of an ongoing effort to balance inclusivity with competitive fairness in women’s sports.
The policies from both organizations aim to ensure that the gender policies are inclusive of all gender identities and expressions, while striving to maintain equity in competition. They were formulated after extensive discussions among experts in various fields, including medicine and sports science. The updated policies are designed to address the impact of male puberty, which is believed to confer competitive advantages in golf. These advantages, such as muscle mass and height, might provide players assigned male at birth an edge over those who have not experienced male puberty.
The LPGA’s policy, which will begin in 2025, specifically states that players assigned male at birth must demonstrate they have not gone through male puberty past the first stage or beyond the age of 12. Additionally, players will need to meet established limits for testosterone levels. This policy will apply to all LPGA-sanctioned events, including the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, and the Ladies European Tour, as well as qualifications for these tours. The LPGA’s gender policy will exclude players like Hailey Davidson, a transgender golfer who has been pursuing a career in professional golf. Davidson, who transitioned in her 20s, had previously competed under the LPGA’s previous policy, which allowed her to participate after undergoing gender-affirming surgery. However, the new rules would prevent her from qualifying for major tournaments like the US Women’s Open and LPGA Q-school.
Davidson, who turned 32 recently, has expressed frustration with the policy, stating that she expected the exclusion and criticizing those who remained neutral in the ongoing debate about transgender inclusion in sports. She also commented on how her journey to professional golf would be stymied by the new rules, which she believes are discriminatory.
The LPGA and USGA’s policies were influenced by the need to address the question of fairness in women’s sports, where male puberty may provide advantages in physical attributes such as muscle mass and cardiovascular endurance. The organizations’ leaders have emphasized that these changes are not a reflection of political considerations but rather a desire to maintain a level playing field. They aim to ensure that players competing in women’s tournaments are competing under conditions that reflect the typical physical characteristics of women, with particular attention paid to the effects of male puberty.
Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA and former commissioner of the LPGA, explained that the policies are rooted in competitive fairness, aiming to create an environment where no player has an inherent advantage based on gender. The policy, Whan stated, was developed independently by the USGA and is similar to policies already implemented in other sports like swimming and track and field, which have also addressed the issue of transgender athletes in women’s events.
The new policy for the USGA will take effect during the 2025 championship season, which starts with the US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball in May. While the policy sets clear guidelines, the USGA has acknowledged that future medical advancements could lead to adjustments in the policy. However, for now, the policy stands as a response to current medical and physiological understanding. Whan emphasized that the USGA aims to make fair decisions without getting entangled in political or state-specific debates.
As these new policies from both the LPGA and USGA prepare to come into effect, they are likely to spark further discussions and debates about gender and fairness in sports. While the policies are framed as being about equity and science, the impact on transgender athletes, like Davidson, remains a point of contention. This move highlights the challenges faced by sports organizations as they navigate the complex intersection of gender, identity, and fairness in competition.
