Dress Code - Who is responsible?

[jim8flog]

We have no control over what is worn in the clubhouse.

We franchised out our catering and it is open to all comers, regardless of whether or not they are playing golf. What goes on in the lounge and dining room is down to the caterers and I do not see them turning down business because of what a person is wearing.

Previously we had a reasonably relaxed dress code anyway.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Mixed messages at my club. Shirts for men must be tucked in on the course. However if they are tailored (have the V cuts on the sides) they are allowed to be untucked in the clubhouse. Women it seems are free to be untucked regardless. Does it bother me? Not a jot. I'll simply abide to the rules and if I play away, ensure I'm tucked in at all times to avoid any potential embarrassment

 

[r0wly86]

The "because it's their club and their rules" argument is a good one for why you must adhere to the dress code if you want to play there.

It is not an argument against why we cannot simultaenously adhere to the current rules and find the rule antiquated and wrong and try to change them.

How would some of these stuffy old clubs react to someone wearing the Nike AeroReact shirt, which basically doesn't have a collar and some of the new trainer style golf shoes. Would they react the same if Jason Day rocked up to play in the same gear.

Golf unfairly has an image with the wider public as old fashioned, discrimiatory and rum by stuffy old white guys who want to keep things as it has always been. The vast majority of clubs are not like this, many will allow more comfortable wear in the club house. It's the high profile clubs that give golf a bad name.

Trying to persuade non-golfers that Muirfield was an exception not to allow women members was the devil's own job. The more of these old fashion clubs join the 21st century (20th century for some of them would be a good step) the better for golf as a whole

 

[jim8flog]

I noticed in the club house yesterday that one of our long term Societies had a meet, mainly older guys with a lot of ex captains and directors.

Years ago all of them would be sat at the dining table in jacket and tie yesterday there was just one and the jacket very quickly came off.

We had a funny a few weeks ago. Away match directive came out - casual clothes but no shorts for after match meal. More than half of the home team were wearing shorts.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Golf unfairly has an image with the wider public as old fashioned, discrimiatory and rum by stuffy old white guys who want to keep things as it has always been. The vast majority of clubs are not like this, many will allow more comfortable wear in the club house. It's the high profile clubs that give golf a bad name.

This image is well deserved, unfortunately, and things still need to change drastically to dispel it. Progress is being made but painfully slowly.

 

[r0wly86]

This image is well deserved, unfortunately, and things still need to change drastically to dispel it. Progress is being made but painfully slowly.

The reason why I say it is undeserved is because it is only a small minority of clubs albeit the higher profile clubs are actually like the reputation golf has in general. If you walked into the the vast vast majority of local clubs up and down the land you would usually be very warmly welcomed.

The problem is the high profile clubs, like Muirfield and Wentworth are the ones the non-playing public know about because they are on TV and host the big tournaments, this si why golf has such a reputation.

For instance I play at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club, it is a very old club, starting in the mid 19th century. In the grounds of Home Park a Grade 1 Historical site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with views of Hampton Court and Long Water on the course. In terms of setting it's about as prestigious as you can get, and apparently used to be a very stuffy old fashioned club. But now it is super friendly, you can where jeans, trainers and t-shirts in the club house, as long as they reasonably smart. This means frends and family who aren't necessarily golfers can come down to the club. In my experience most clubs I have played are like this, but whenever I tell a non-golfer I play at HCPGC I get a look of quiet judgement that I play at a snooty old boys club

 

[Orikoru]

The reason why I say it is undeserved is because it is only a small minority of clubs albeit the higher profile clubs are actually like the reputation golf has in general. If you walked into the the vast vast majority of local clubs up and down the land you would usually be very warmly welcomed.

The problem is the high profile clubs, like Muirfield and Wentworth are the ones the non-playing public know about because they are on TV and host the big tournaments, this si why golf has such a reputation.

For instance I play at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club, it is a very old club, starting in the mid 19th century. In the grounds of Home Park a Grade 1 Historical site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with views of Hampton Court and Long Water on the course. In terms of setting it's about as prestigious as you can get, and apparently used to be a very stuffy old fashioned club. But now it is super friendly, you can where jeans, trainers and t-shirts in the club house, as long as they reasonably smart. This means frends and family who aren't necessarily golfers can come down to the club. In my experience most clubs I have played are like this, but whenever I tell a non-golfer I play at HCPGC I get a look of quiet judgement that I play at a snooty old boys club

Yeah, my club is very relaxed - although it is a public council-run course to be fair. Their dress code is very laid back - simply that collared shirts, tailored trousers/shorts and golf shoes must be worn. In the clubhouse I don't even think there's any dress code. Never seen one mentioned anywhere anyway. I'm usually just wearing my golf stuff in there anyway so I haven't needed to check - but I recall when I went down to meet the club sec for the first time I was wearing jeans (didn't think anything of it) and he didn't say anything.

Edit: Meant to say most of the local clubs I've played are near this sort of level. The most strict I've been to said hats off and shoes rather than trainers in the clubhouse, but that was it.