Major golf associations the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) published new guidelines on Dec. 4 under which male players who identify as transgender have to have undergone transgender treatment before puberty in order to be eligible to compete in key women’s tournaments.
Under the new policies, transgender players must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond stage two of the Tanner scale—a tool used by health care providers to track development during puberty—or after the age of 12, whichever comes first.
In addition, they must show they have “continuously maintained the concentration of testosterone in their serum below 2.5 nmol/L.”
Both policies are set to take effect in 2025.
“At the same time, the LPGA represents the pinnacle of women’s golf where the best female players in the world compete to earn a living, and it is critical that the LPGA ensures in our rules and policies that the playing field is fair and level for the female competing in our elite events.”
The golf association said it consulted with top experts in the fields of medicine, science, sports physiology, and golf performance, and was advised that “a player’s exposure to male puberty provides physical advantages that are beneficial to golf performance compared to players who have not had such exposure.”
“The new policy ensures competitive opportunities are provided for athletes playing in USGA women’s competitions without allowing an unfair advantage for athletes who have received the sports performance benefits of male puberty,” the organization said.
“Current scientific and medical research shows that sports performance differences exist between biological sexes and such differences begin to occur during the onset of puberty.”
The new policies from both organizations would effectively rule out eligibility for transgender-identifying golfer Hailey Davidson, who recently competed in the LPGA’s qualifying series prior to the new guidelines going into effect, despite objection from female competitors.
Davidson, who has undergone hormone treatments and gender reassignment surgery, responded to the updated guidelines from both organizations on Dec. 4.
“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming,” Davidson wrote in an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.”
Davidson missed out on qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open this year.
