Golf influencer Paige Spiranac found herself back in the headlines this weekend after her golf attire once again triggered controversy online. While practicing her swing at the driving range, Spiranac wore a snug one-piece outfit—and despite its simple design, critics wasted no time weighing in.
“I hit my very first golf ball on this range and all these years later it’s still one of my favorite places,” she captioned a set of Instagram photos from the outing. But what was meant to be a nostalgic moment quickly turned into a fashion debate.
Critics Call Out Outfit, Spiranac Fires Back
As comments piled up under her post, Spiranac, who’s long been targeted for her on-course wardrobe choices, appeared genuinely surprised by the backlash.
“People are so mad about this outfit,” she wrote in a since-expired Instagram Story, according to the New York Post. “The funny part is I really thought it was one of my more conservative looks.”
Past Experience Shapes Present Style
Paige Spiranac, known for breaking stereotypes in the golf world, isn’t new to negative commentary about her appearance. She has regularly addressed online criticism and remains unapologetic about her clothing choices. In a 2023 Sports Illustrated interview, she detailed how her background as a gymnast influenced her athletic wardrobe.
“I was a gymnast before I switched into golf,” the former All-Mountain West Conference golfer said.
“I was so comfortable wearing spandex and very little of it because that’s just what you wear when you’re wearing a leotard and you’re competing.
“When I switched into golf, we were struggling a little bit financially and so I didn’t have the luxury to go out and buy a whole new golf-appropriate wardrobe. And so, I wore what was in my closet which was workout clothes. That’s just how I learned to play the game.”
Double Standards in Sports
In July 2023, Spiranac tackled what she called the “hypocrisy” of how society reacts to male athletes baring skin versus female athletes. Her comments came after a viral video showed two shirtless baseball players joking on the mound without facing any public scorn.
“Interesting how different the reaction is online when men choose to show off their bodies,” she wrote on X at the time. “Not one comment on this video calling them attention whores or sluts. Just a ton of women saying baseball is now their favorite sport but those same women harshly judge me. The hypocrisy lol.”
An Online Powerhouse
With more than 4 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok, Spiranac has built a massive fanbase. While her popularity continues to rise, so does the scrutiny. Still, the influencer shows no signs of backing down. Whether on the golf course or on social media, Spiranac remains firm in her stance: confidence isn’t up for debate.
