The intersection of athletic performance and golf’s traditionalist dress code has sparked a fresh debate, centered once again on Paige Spiranac‘s long-standing swing theory.
On Monday, the former professional golfer and prominent content creator took to social media to react to a viral training clip of Matt Fitzpatrick.
The video, originally shared by the DP World Tour, features the 2026 Valspar Championship winner engaged in a vigorous speed-training session while shirtless.
For Spiranac, the footage served as the ultimate validation of a philosophy she has championed for years: that restrictive clothing is a hindrance to the mechanical efficiency of a golf swing.
“My theory holds true. You swing faster the less you wear,” Spiranac wrote on X while reposting the video.
From gymnastics to the green
The debate over Spiranac’s on-course wardrobe has followed her since her transition from collegiate golf at San Diego State to becoming a full-time media personality with over 1.1 million followers on X.
In a previous interview with Maxim, she traced her preference for less restrictive clothing back to her roots as a competitive gymnast.
She noted that her comfort with form-fitting outfits is a byproduct of a sport where range of motion is paramount, a necessity she believes translates directly to the golf course.
“I get frustrated when they support everyone except for you ’cause you like to show cleavage,” she explained during her Maxim cover story.
“My dress code my entire life, I like to wear things that are more formfitting. I just became more comfortable wearing less because of my gymnastics background. I like being able to have movement in my swing.
“When I began wearing leggings it started a huge uproar. And now I go to the range and I see so many women wearing leggings.”
While Spiranac continues to push for a more modern, athlete-focused dress code, Fitzpatrick has been letting his performance do the talking.
The Englishman is coming off a major victory at the 2026 Valspar Championship, where he finished 11-under par to secure his third career PGA Tour title.
The win followed a runner-up finish at The Players Championship just one week prior.
Fitzpatrick, who currently sits at a career-high No. 6 in the Official World Golf Ranking, has long credited rigorous speed and data-driven training for his rise, though he typically keeps his shirt on for tournament play.
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