A decade after its release, Paulina Gretzky’s 2014 Golf Digest cover remains a lightning rod in the ongoing debate over gender equity in sports media, particularly within women’s golf. The daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and wife of PGA star Dustin Johnson, Paulina appeared on the magazine’s fitness edition cover—despite not being a professional golfer—wearing form-fitting workout attire rather than traditional golf gear.
LPGA Stars Slam Editorial Choice
The decision drew immediate backlash from top LPGA Tour players, who criticized the magazine for prioritizing celebrity appeal over athletic merit. Then-world No. 1 Stacy Lewis voiced her frustration:
“We don’t get the respect for being the golfers we are. Obviously, Golf Digest is trying to sell magazines, but you’d like to see a little respect for the women’s game”.
Veteran golfer Angela Stanford echoed the sentiment, questioning why the magazine didn’t feature one of the many fit and accomplished LPGA athletes instead.
A Symbol of Media Disparity
The controversy wasn’t just about one cover—it became a symbol of the broader underrepresentation of female athletes in mainstream sports media. Critics argued that the move reinforced outdated norms, where appearance often trumps achievement for women in sports.
Golf Digest defended its editorial choice, with then-editor-in-chief Jerry Tarde stating that Paulina was a prominent figure in the “golf celebrity scene” and could attract new audiences to the game.
A Conversation Still Unfinished
More than ten years later, the Paulina Gretzky cover continues to be cited in discussions about visibility, respect, and recognition for women in golf. While the LPGA has made strides in popularity and prize money, the media spotlight remains uneven, with many calling for more equitable representation of female athletes based on merit.
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