Transgender women who have undergone male puberty will be banned from competing on leading women’s professional golf tours from next year. The LPGA announced updated rules on gender policy, which will apply to the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and other elite LPGA events. Previously, players were allowed to compete if they had undergone gender-affirming surgery and met hormone therapy requirements, but these rules have now changed.
The new policy, effective from the 2025 season, prioritizes the competitive integrity of women’s professional tournaments and elite amateur competitions. A working group of experts in medicine, science, sport physiology, golf performance, and gender policy law advised that the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance. Players recorded as male at birth and who have gone through male puberty will not be eligible to compete in the mentioned events.
The R&A, which governs golf’s rules outside the US and Mexico, is expected to adopt the same policy for its women’s championships. This change will prevent players like Hailey Davidson, a Scottish-born American who transitioned after playing men’s college golf, from seeking membership on the LPGA Tour. Davidson’s participation led to protests from 275 female players who called for changes to the policies allowing individuals recorded as male at birth to compete in women’s events.
Responding to the rule change, Davidson expressed disappointment on Instagram, stating that she saw it coming and felt ignored by those who remained neutral. The commissioner of the LPGA, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusivity while preserving fairness and competitive equity in elite competitions. By updating its policy, the LPGA aligns with other governing bodies in sports like swimming and athletics that have also banned transgender women who have experienced male puberty from competing at the elite level in the female category.
The new rule reflects an extensive, science-based approach to ensure that all individuals feel welcome within the LPGA while maintaining the integrity of competitions. Davidson’s case and the ensuing protests highlight the complexities and controversies surrounding transgender athletes in sports. The decision to ban transgender women who have undergone male puberty from elite women’s golf tournaments signifies a shift in approach to gender policy in sports and aims to address concerns about fairness and competitive advantages.
While the new rule may disappoint some transgender athletes, it also reflects the ongoing dialogue and evolution of policies regarding gender and inclusion in professional sports. The involvement of experts from various fields in informing the decision demonstrates a commitment to making informed and inclusive policies. Moving forward, it will be crucial for governing bodies and organizations in sports to continue engaging with stakeholders and experts to ensure fair and inclusive competition for all athletes.
