"American women are getting outplayed by golfers who have placed substance over style, and simply want it more."

On the eve of the Solheim Cup in Germany where the U.S. women might be underdogs, GolfDigest.com's Jaime Diaz calls out America's best for getting too caught up in style.

Diaz writes:

If anything, more ground has been lost, primarily to the South Korean juggernaut. With an efficiently tiered system of multiple professional tours, and instruction that churns out wonderful golf swings, the small country produces players that are skilled, driven, poised and ready.

Among U.S. players -- perhaps in self-defense -- there’s an increasing drift toward style over substance. Instagram accounts, good looks and general buzz seem as important as performance, if not more so.

Media outlets -- including Golf Digest -- have played an important part in encouraging the trend. It’s understandable. More than their predecessors, American female golfers can make real money in endorsements.

The U.S. pattern of becoming a star without commensurate results breeds entitlement and competitive softness. Inevitably, Americans women are getting outplayed by golfers who have placed substance over style, and simply want it more.

There's no question the U.S. women have spent a lot of time on their hair, dress, highlighting their off-course life, etc...but in their defense, nearly all of it has struck me as sincere and they are trying to get attention for their sport. In many ways it has worked, though as we noted yesterday many were turned off by the face painting and ribbons last time around at the Solheim, but someone has to sell the sport and these wonderful sportswomen. So while I get his point, I also don't begrudge America's finest from going all out to promote themselves in hopes of expanding their place in the crowded sports spectrum.