We’ve all had those days on the golf course—slices, shanks, the dreaded three-putt from six feet, and let’s not forget those nightmarish shots from the rough. The golf world’s most glamorous maverick Paige Spiranac, known for her signature looks—that perfectly unites a mix of sporty and glam— had one of these, too. The reason? You’re not going to believe it!

On June 22, the professional golfer-turned-content creator took to X after what was a frustrating day on the course. “I love golf but nothing makes me want to quit more than when I keep hitting hooks off the tee. It’s infuriating,” she wrote while adding what could’ve been a possible reason for the suffering.

Posting a selfie in a sporty light gray button-up polo paired with black shorts, the 32-year-old wrote, “If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I have this working theory that I play better when I wear less clothes. Can confirm that science is right once again. I played like [s—] today,” she confessed as her theory was finally confirmed. Notably, this is not the first time that the star has talked about the same. Back in 2023, when her on-course attire was a subject of much debate and criticism, Spiranac had defended herself, saying, “I was a gymnast before I switched [to] golf. 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. That was always my mindset when I got into golf, and it really rubs people the wrong way which is shocking. They’ll have really intense discussions over if they should wear shorts or pants or a blade collar or a real collar and I’m just out here just in tank tops or spandex and people are like ‘What are you doing?’ But I love it.”

Having said that, what is it with critics’ dissatisfaction with Paige Spiranac’s outfits?

Paige Spiranac’s outfit battle with the critics

While Spiranac has come a long way from being a college golfer to now a social media sensation, her outfit choices on the golf course have always been the center of attention.

“I grew up playing on public golf courses where guys were wearing cut-off jean shorts and tank tops. So when I started posting in tank tops and leggings, it blew people’s minds in golf. It was just the most risqué thing that anyone could be doing,” Spiranac said earlier this year. She also added that it is harder to connect personalities if they don’t show their true nature online. And her way of expressing herself is through her choice of outfits.

Many golf critics blamed her outfits for being insulting to the game. Even when the LPGA Tour’s stricter dress code in 2017 sparked controversy and resistance, Spiranac was a vocal opponent. She said she can still uphold the values of the game and also be authentic to herself. “You can still respect and uphold the tradition of the game – it doesn’t have to be all about your wardrobe. I’m just trying to share my personal story and be authentic to myself,” was her statement, while lashing back at critics.

So, whether it’s fewer clothes or fewer hooks, Spiranac’s formula for success is still under construction. But one thing’s for sure, she’ll always do it unapologetically.