Is this woman too sexy for a golf magazine?

Some say she's an albatross around golf's neck, others think it's all part of the rub of the green. Source: NewsComAu

THERE'S a major debate raging in the golfing world this week and it's got nothing to do with who's going to win the Masters which starts on Thursday.

It's all about Paulina Gretzky, the glamorous daughter of ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky, who has appeared on the cover of US golf magazine Golf Digest for no other apparent reason than she looks good in white lycra and is engaged to world number 10 golfer Dustin Johnson.

Here she is in all her glory. There's even a bogus editorial tie-in called "6 Moves to Lower Scores", in which Gretzky presumably gives all the priceless tips she's accumulated in her four months or so as an amateur golfer.

Who knew Golf Digest did a swimsuit issue? Source: NewsComAu

Understandably, many are asking if having a birdie like Gretzky on the cover is a fair way to sell the sport of golf.

Mike Whan, commissioner of America's Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), teed off at the magazine, saying "Obviously we're disappointed and frustrated by the editorial direction (and timing) Golf Digest has chosen with the announcement of its most recent magazine cover,"

"If a magazine called Golf Digest is interested in showcasing females in the game, yet consistently steers away from the true superstars who've made history over the last few years, something is clearly wrong

Mr Whan went on to list a bunch of incredibly well performed female golfers, none of whom have come close to gracing the cover of US Golf Digest.

"Growing the game means a need for more role models and in these exciting times for women's golf, the LPGA is overflowing with them," he said.

But a lot of people think Whan must be living in a bunker.

"Sports figures, celebrities and models have appeared on Golf Digest covers since the magazine's beginning," Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest's editor in chief said.

"Paulina ranks at the high end of the golf celebrity scene today, and she has a compelling story to tell. She also might get some new people interested in the game."

Dustin whispers some golfing tips to Paulina — as captured on her Instagram account. Source: NewsComAu

Here in Australia, Australian Golf Digest editor Brad Clifton told news.com.au his magazine has featured Australia's current best female golfer Karrie Webb on the cover twice previously.

"It will be interesting to see whether the Paulina Gretzy cover helps to build a stronger readership base for the Americans," Clifton said. "It will certainly generate debate.

"Some may argue it's a bit like putting Candice Falzon on the cover of Inside Cricket."

Selling golf through sex is hardly new territory for Australians. Our best female golfer of the 1970s and early 80s, Jan Stephenson was happy to do what it took to generate interest. Yes, even this awesomely tacky Marilyn Monroe-style shoot.

Some like it putt? Source: NewsComAu

Perhaps the last word should go to US website thewire.com, which weighed in with this rather feisty smackdown. It sympathises — briefly — with the plight of elite female golfers who don't get the respect they deserve. But it then rips into critics of the Paulina Gretzky cover the way John Daly rips into a bottle of bourbon.

"Golf is so completely rotten and has such a terrible track record on every single issue of social change over the past century that uproar over the Gretzy cover is like fretting about a small sapling in the middle of the Black Forest. Ha ha — well, the White Forest, anyway."

Ouch. So golf itself, not sexism, is the real villain in the piece. That's probably several strokes over par, but there you have it.

Well, you tell us. Does this magazine cover denigrate women's sport, or is it the brilliant editorial equivalent of a hole-in-one?