Solheim Cup: no more 'rah-rah stuff' says US skipper

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US Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster has called for her players to keep a lid on the "rah-rah stuff" at this week's event in Germany.

America will try to stop Europe winning the match play event for the third time in a row, and are licking their wounds after being thumped on home soil two years ago. 

US player Lizette Salas said Inkster had told her team to concentrate on winning the trophy.

"We haven’t spent any time on nails. It’s a different group, so we’re doing fine," said Inkster.

American player Stacy Lewis added: “Hopefully, everybody is past all the tattoos and the face paint and all that. Paula is still wearing her hair ribbons and all that, but it's just growing up a little bit and knowing that you don't need to go crazy and get the crowd going all the time."

European captain Carin Koch is hoping the event will inspire more women to take up the game in the United Kingdom.

"In the UK there is a long way to go on a lot of traditions which need to change in order to get more women into the sport," said the Swede.

"There are still all men’s clubs and even mixed clubs have strict rules on clothing and other things which put people off. Women are a little more social and I think they are afraid of how they will find groups at clubs and whether they will be made to feel welcome with all these rules."

The Solheim Cup takes place at St Leon Rot in Germany from 18-20 September.