The United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have announced that transgender golf players will be banned from competing following changes to their entry criteria at tournaments. The changes were announced on the organisations’ websites on Wednesday.

Transgender players had previously been allowed to compete in USGA and LPGA-sanctioned events if they had undergone gender reassignment.

But from the start of the 2025 season, that will no longer be the case.

“The LPGA has updated its gender policy for competition eligibility, effective starting with the 2025 season,” a statement from the organisation read.

“The policy - informed by a working group of top experts in medicine, science, sport physiology, golf performance and gender policy law - was developed with input from a broad array of stakeholders and prioritises the competitive integrity of women’s professional tournaments and elite amateur competitions.

“This working group has advised that the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance compared to players who have not undergone male puberty.

“Accordingly, under the new policy, athletes who are assigned female at birth are eligible to compete on the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, and in all other elite LPGA competitions.

“Players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned events.

“The policies governing the LPGA’s recreational programmes and non-elite events utilise different criteria to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.

“Golf offers opportunities for all athletes to compete at professional and elite amateur levels. Individual competitions are generally categorised as women’s events, which have specific eligibility requirements, or open events, where any player, regardless of sex, is eligible to compete.”

And LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan explained: “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach.

“The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organisation, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”

Meanwhile, a statement on the USGA website read: “The new policy ensures competitive opportunities are provided for athletes playing in USGA women’s competitions without allowing an unfair advantage for athletes who have received the sports performance benefits of male puberty, meaning athletes must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female prior to going through male puberty in order to compete.

“Current scientific and medical research shows that sports performance differences exist between biological sexes and such differences begin to occur during the onset of puberty.”

And USGA chief Mike Whan stated: “We remain committed to providing opportunities for everyone to compete for a national title or team but have made changes to our eligibility criteria that reflects current scientific data and strives to maintain competitive integrity.

“Our updated policy reflects a thoughtful and thorough process during which the USGA consulted with leading medical professionals from around the world.”