Dress code objectors - a poll as to why

[Slab]

The thing about a dress code is that the course doesn’t care what you wear, the clubhouse doesn’t care either, the history or tradition of a club doesn’t care, the only component that cares what we wear is other people

We are told through dress codes to wear/not wear xyz this is because some people are offended by the alternatives or the act of non conformance or that they believe someone else will be offended and they think it’ll be bad for business

Resort and municipals courses I imagine would do what's good for business now and going forward, member’s courses it may be argued give a larger consideration to their past revenue when deciding on dress code or club rules

 

[Hacker Khan]

Does this, or does this not, show the dress code off the course to be ridiculous and pathetic?
How does the addition of a jacket, over normal golfing attire, suddenly change you into someone who is acceptable to sit down and eat a meal?
I don't care what other people wear, on or off the course. And if they have issue with what I wear, its their problem.
It really is time Golf/ Society stopped judging people on clothing.

Like

 

[USER1999]

When it's hot, I'd like to unstuck my shirt. I guess that makes me a slob, but it's way more comfortable. Sadly that's a no.

On the other hand, anyone who tucks their trouser ends into their socks in the winter should be bludgeoned to death with a nine iron, and buried in the nearest bunker.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I don't mind a dress code, although I think in some cases it could be updated and modernised. I think the dress code at our gaff is quite sensible for playing, relaxed in the clubhouse with jeans allowed. Jacket and tie only required for dinner after club matches. I'm fine with it all, the bug bear for me is people who blatantly flaunt it - it is what it is, if you disagree with it, petition the committee for change, but until it is changed, you abide by whatever dress code is in place when it is in place, or you go somewhere else that fits your own requirements, fairly simples to me.

 

[TheCaddie]

I am not a member of a club as of yet, but I would have to agree with the general sentiment here.

Standard golf attire when playing; trousers and polo, or tailored shorts when hot and proper golf shoes. In the clubhouse, smart casual, unless there is a club function on. Then maybe club jackets, shirt and tie. There would be an initial outlay for Jacket shirt and tie, but then once you've got them, it's done. Plus, not everyone will want to attend club functions which leaves them to be able to dress smart casual any other time.

I agree with the viewpoint that if it's smart casual, you are far more likely to pop into the club for some lunch or a beer with your friends and family on the days you aren't playing, and there will be a much better family feel to the clubs. Increasing revenue, etc, etc.

In fact, I would even go as far to say if the clubhouse is run well, and you were allowed to bring in a few friends on the odd occasion, then it may even improve participation! If you start to bring non-playing friends into the club for a beer, they get to know people, and then would be potentially more inclined to try playing.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Is it any wonder golf's image is still partly that of stuffy old colonels wearing ties and blazers? How on earth can we attract new folks while this is still countenanced?

No vests, flip flops or football shirts unless you're under 10, (this applies to life in general) otherwise it's all good.

Every clubs choice of course so my opinion is irrelevant

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I agree with a dress code.dont think jeans and hoodies should be worn.There are no excuses now clothing has never been as cheap.But I think long socks with shorts has had its day.dont expect people to turn up in hugo boss or j lindeberg.nike and Adidas are far from expensive.

...and again - despite my gut instinct - what is actually wrong/upsetting/distracting/disrespectful about a youngster or teen wearing jeans and a hoodie when playing with his or her mates.

We know it's not the best clothing to wear from a practical point of view when playing - especially if it rains - and any young lad who catches the golf bug will soon enough realise that after a drenching - and will adapt what he wears.

 

[Fyldewhite]

We 'lightened up' ours some years ago - nobody has died yet. Some people still object, most have no real problem either way. Plenty wear jeans, cargo pants etc. Most are there to play golf and don't bother what other people wear to have a drink or a bite to eat. Most clubs in the area are following suit. For some it will no doubt take another 50 years but they will get there in the end.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Don't care, I know the rules of each club I play at and will abide with there dress code.
If a club has no dress code, fine, I would rather play with someone in a hoody who can keep up with play and knows about rules and etiquette than someone who has all the gear and no idea.
Actually slightly offended by the Club mentioned on here that states you must wear a Red Polo to play!

 

[trevor]

Could it not be the fact that it's not so much the dress code itself that's wrong but the fact that most adult males simply don't like being told what to do or wear.
As others have mentioned if there were no code at all I'm sure most people would carry on wearing smart golfing clothes.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Don't care, I know the rules of each club I play at and will abide with there dress code.
If a club has no dress code, fine, I would rather play with someone in a hoody who can keep up with play and knows about rules and etiquette than someone who has all the gear and no idea.
Actually slightly offended by the Club mentioned on here that states you must wear a Red Polo to play!

There are some clubs who play on common land where it is sensible for golfers to be highly visible to the public - for example Wimbledon Common - and as their traditional garb would have been a red jacket it is reasonable I think for them to ask you to wear a red polo when you play - it's a nod to their tradition and still makes common sense. I suspect most of us have a red polo shirt - and that the club has a stock of polos to loan out. Actually I read that with Wimbledon Common GC it is a requirement put on the club that players must wear a red outer garment!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

There are some clubs who play on common land where it is sensible for golfers to be highly visible to the public - for example Wimbledon Common - and as their traditional garb would have been a red jacket it is reasonable I think for them to ask you to wear a red polo when you play - it's a nod to their tradition and still makes common sense. I suspect most of us have a red polo shirt - and that the club has a stock of polos to loan out. Actually I read that with Wimbledon Common GC it is a requirement put on the club that players must wear a red outer garment!

So are other users of the Common not allowed to wear Red? I would've though carrying or pulling a bag or swinging a club would be a clue.

 

[SugarPenguin]

Dress codes change at different courses.

I Still like the idea of playing in appropriate clothes but as people have mentioned - it hard to attract people to the game when the perception is that you have to dress like a groomsman to get into a clubhouse.

I remember taking my old man round my old course - Doncaster Golf Club. He hit a shot and started walking down the fairway. He has a fairly old bag and trolley and you can tell he wasn't a member but everything he wore was well above board and had appropriate footwear etc...
To older men in their 60s stormed across to us and it was out of their way to do so and started ranting about how my old man should have his shirt in at all times as it was hanging out the back after he had hit his shot. They were very aggressive and rude in all honesty and it was completely inappropriate.

Stuff like that is just unnecessary. My dad was livid. It took all my persuasiveness in order for him not to lamp them both.

 

[TheJezster]

Don't care, I know the rules of each club I play at and will abide with there dress code.
If a club has no dress code, fine, I would rather play with someone in a hoody who can keep up with play and knows about rules and etiquette than someone who has all the gear and no idea.
Actually slightly offended by the Club mentioned on here that states you must wear a Red Polo to play!

It's not the club who makes the rule. It's the conservators of Wimbledon Common. It's a byelaw, a condition of allowing the clubs to operate and play golf on the common (to distinguish golfers from others who use the common too).

 

[Slab]

By jove I think I’ve cracked it... clubhouse dress codes... the problem is flesh! Some people are offended by the flesh of others

No to tee-shirts, because they don’t cover your neck
No to flip flops/sandals because they don’t cover your feet
No to ankle socks because they don’t cover your lower leg
No to un-tucked shirts because they don’t cover your gut
No to vests because they don’t cover your arms

But a big thumbs up to a two tone blazer & tie combo that looks like it’s been handed down from a much bigger lad

Clearly the reason we need a dress code is because golfers are mingers, yup we need the dress code to protect the rest of us because you're all fat & ugly with bingo wings & scabby crow feet and if the committee thought they could get away with it they'd make you stick a bag on yer head... come to think about it I do believe I’d support a more stringent dress code now

 

[Oddsocks]

To me the complete sport and golf industry has moved on from tailored shorts, knee high white socks and cotton polo's. There are more technical fabrics which perform better and make it more comfortable in addition to enjoy the sport

The image of sport has also moved on, golfers are now athletes not just fat duffers

 

[Hacker Khan]

To me the complete sport and golf industry has moved on from tailored shorts, knee high white socks and cotton polo's. There are more technical fabrics which perform better and make it more comfortable in addition to enjoy the sport

The image of sport has also moved on, golfers are now athletes not just fat duffers

Speak for yourself. Having said that I am also an athlete, it's just that I've hidden my athletes body inside the body of a fat duffer.

 

[Oddsocks]

Speak for yourself. Having said that I am also an athlete, it's just that I've hidden my athletes body inside the body of a fat duffer.

My point was more so from a pro am / pro level, golfers of this era are now in the gym, well trained and toned machines in new modern breathable technical fabrics.

Compare your new galvin green waterproofs to that of the ones from the late 80's early 90's that made you sweat like hell and were pretty much rubberised plastic...

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Chelthacker and drew83, would be interested to hear why you think 'other' ??

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Chelthacker and drew83, would be interested to hear why you think 'other' ??

I did reply up front!

Mainly disagree with it because I really don't care what other people wear. If someone wants to play golf dressed as a clown, then it'll be tougher for them with the big feet, but that's for them to decide.