Dress Codes - give us your views!

[SAPCOR1]

They may no longer be white but there is still a dress code, just like golf. I'm sure if someone turned up at a tennis club and tried to play in denim shorts\skirt they wouldn't be allowed, so why should they be allowed to wear jeans on a golf course?

Cricket is a team sport and the team wears the same gear to identify themselves as being in the team

Agassi used to play in denim shorts, sometimes with pink Lycra short tights built in! See photo...

I wouldn't wear jeans to play golf or any sport but it doesn't bother me if someone else does. No one can give me a reason other than they don't like it.

Chinos and tailored trousers/shorts with pleats in them are far more offensive to my eyes but if someone wants to wear them then it is none of my business

 

[MashieNiblick]

They may no longer be white but there is still a dress code, just like golf. I'm sure if someone turned up at a tennis club and tried to play in denim shorts\skirt they wouldn't be allowed, so why should they be allowed to wear jeans on a golf course?

To play devil's advocate on this, the tennis people could say the same thing (i.e. you can't wear what you like for golf so why expect to do so playing tennis). Then it's just a closed loop.

As I understand it (some? many?) tennis clubs don't have a brilliant reputation for being inclusive and welcoming to youngsters and it has been given as a reason why we waited 70 years for a British chap to win a grand slam event.

 

[North Mimms]

What I do find a little annoying is the different standards used between Women and Men's dress codes.

Ladies can wear liner socks, Men cant.
Ladies can wear three quarter length trousers, Men cant.
Ladies can wear sleeveless tops, Men cant.
Ladies can wear their tops outside their trousers, Men cant.

How can this be acceptable in this age of equality?

This inequality is for your own good.
No man can look half decent wearing three quarter trews, a sleeveless shirt and liner socks

 

[Hooper]

Cricket is a team sport and the team wears the same gear to identify themselves as being in the team

Agassi used to play in denim shorts, sometimes with pink Lycra short tights built in! See photo...

I wouldn't wear jeans to play golf or any sport but it doesn't bother me if someone else does. No one can give me a reason other than they don't like it.

Chinos and tailored trousers/shorts with pleats in them are far more offensive to my eyes but if someone wants to wear them then it is none of my businessView attachment 5054

I agree. Has anybody come up with a reason for not wanting another person to wear something other than they just don't like it or it's against the traditional rules of the club. If they turn up pay their subs, respect the club and it's members then what is the issue?
I adhere to my club's dress code because I knew the rules before I joined.

 

[steveh]

I wouldn't wear jeans to play golf or any sport but it doesn't bother me if someone else does. No one can give me a reason other than they don't like

This hits it on the head for me, I really couldn't care less what anyone else is wearing as its none of my business so I'd be happy for dress codes to be scrapped other than a requirement for appropriate footwear on the course. But at the same time, as others have pointed out you know the rules when you join up. Of course the problem with this viewpoint is that nothing will ever change.

 

[SAPCOR1]

To play devil's advocate on this, the tennis people could say the same thing (i.e. you can't wear what you like for golf so why expect to do so playing tennis). Then it's just a closed loop.

As I understand it (some? many?) tennis clubs don't have a brilliant reputation for being inclusive and welcoming to youngsters and it has been given as a reason why we waited 70 years for a British chap to win a grand slam event.

So he is British now?

 

[CMAC]

There's a saying "The clothes maketh the man"

If you look the part, you're a large part of the way to playing the part in my view, especially as golf is a very mental game (no jokes).

Smart casual with the emphasis on smart would be the rules if I owned a golf club.

I've seen people with chinos, Nike polo shirt and FJ shoes, perfectly acceptable I hear you say, and I'd agree, except the Chinos were dirty and had been worn everyday for a week, the polo shirt had paint splashes and didnt fit properly and the once white FJ's were caked in mud.

I'm no fashion Guru and I 'need' my better half to dress me sometimes as I don't coordinate very well, like most blokes, but just a bit of self awareness and a cleaned and pressed outfit no matter how old will always look smarter.

 

[mcbroon]

This inequality is for your own good.
No man can look half decent wearing three quarter trews, a sleeveless shirt and liner socks

Amen to that, North Mimms.

edit: really must try not to post immediately after DV. Or maybe I should get a new avatar...

 

[Doon frae Troon]

At my old club the rather snobby club captain button holed my boss [the Director of Council Leisure] about the council allowing youngsters to play in jeans.
His reply was 'well I would rather see youngsters playing golf in jeans than youngsters not playing golf at all'.

I have been involved with golf for many years and must confess that I think many private clubs have their head in the sand when it comes to dress code.
The world moves on, fashion moves on and then 40 years later moves back. I never thought for one moment tank tops, Aran sweaters and bell bottoms would ever have made a comeback but they did.
Anyone know why 1950's teddy boys were called teddy boys? It was because they chose to dress in Edwardian fashion.

Self important committee members trying to make all members agree to their outdated beliefs are mainly to blame.
Some may call them snobs.

 

[Shiny]

•are dress codes still relevant in this day and age...

Answer... Yes they are relevent & so they should be. If you don't want to play at a stuffy club with antiquated dress codes, go and play the local muni.

•what's the policy at your club

Answer...... No denim, shirt with a collar or a properly labelled golf top.

•have there been any recent changes to relax dress code at your club

Answer...... Not on the course but jeans are now allowed in the clubhouse

•have you or any of your fiends/playing partners ever fallen foul of a dress code

Answer...Yes, but suprisingly it was something he had brought 10 minutes earlier from the Pro Shop.

•do you think dress codes put newcommers off the game

Answer...... Sometimes, but if they really want to play they will accept it or play somewhere with no dress code.

•should jeans be allowed in the bar

Answer............... Yes, and they are at ours, although I can still understand dressing for dinner (Jacket and tie) in bigger/posher clubs also.

•if you could write a dress code what would it include

Answer................ As long as its golf branded clothing its okay, also gentlemen can untuck their shift from their trousers if they wish.

would you go down to your club more often for a drink/meal if you could wear more causal clothing

Answer............... It is & i do

•should juniors be subject to the same dress codes as adults

Answer ....... Yes apart from very young juniors who at the age of 6 cannot find or their paraents afford things like golf shoes every 6 months. Some leeway should be given up to the age of 14.

 

[HickoryShaft]

Had part of this discussion at a clubhouse function a couple of weeks back when I was on the same table as several people who dont want a change in policy & yet they were agonising over the fact that the clubhouse is not used as much a it used to be and it is changing (and challenging) the economics of the club.

Our place still has fairly tight restrictions on what you can wear on the course and in the Clubhouse. I dont think there is too much of a problem on the course as we get a good turn out for most comps but the clubhouse is definitely less supported and virtually no juniors or even people in their 20's / 30's who play come along to the club for functions. Surely a 'sensible' relaxation of the rules there would be someting to try out at least.

My views fit with this also - most people playing a sport will adopt its attire and kit themselves out. I personally wouldn't want to change too much from this on the course but would favour a bit of relaxation to allow for some of the very formal rules to be dropped and maybe relax it after 5pm if people want to drop by and play straight after work.

I would also like to see new starters / juniors given a grace period to get into the game before hitting them with all the gear requirements - no matter what we think is appropriate on the course a 10 year old new starter playing in jeans is better than one not playing at all and what offence does it cause?

When it comes to the clubhouse - after a game I am in my golf gear no problem. I usually have shoes - again no problem but what if I had trainers on - whats the issue there? As a club I would prefer people to come in and socialise than go home to eat / drink - or worse, to the pub a few hundred yards down the road.

When it comes to the clubhouse only - i.e. not playing a game but dropping by to meet people etc I think the there should be much less formality to encourage people in.

My own experience was that the very next day after the above discussion at the club myself and my wife walked back to pick up the car as we had decided to have a drink and leave it the previous evening. Got there about lunch and on the spur of the moment thought about popping in for a bite and drink but realised I was in (smart) jeans so couldn't!

We went to the pub instead!

I do think that dress codes need to be revised in the bar . Sure have some functions that are formal but at other times it should be more relaxed to encourage people in.


My best story about dress code is at another local club on a society day. They had a starter on the first & I had on some 'new fangled' golf shoes that were not in a traditional style and he started off by saying I wasn't allowed to play in any old shoes and they had to be golf shoes so please see the pro and get some. I twigged and showed him that they were in fact 'proper' golf shoes from a golf manufacturer so he let us onto the tee (reluctantly I feel). One of the guys I was playing with wears a collared full lengthed arm shirt like you would for an office as he doesn't like polo's and always look smart. He tee'd off last hitting a cracking drive. We were just starting down the first when the Starter called after him - we though he was going to comment what a great shot it was but he actually pulled him up about tucking his shirt in - when we looked it had pulled out when he took his swing and was 'slightly' out one side only. We nearly left there and then and have not been back there in the society since.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Heaven forbid the young generation should have to adhere to rules. What are we thinking? Golf club dress codes are in the main not that strict. A pair of trousers and a polo shirt does it. Granted, you need some shoes but which sport at club level doesn't require the appropriate footwear?

Yes, but if the vast majority of the young people see those rules as outdated and antiquated then they will not bother. I completely agree that youngsters not being able to wear jeans is not a major issue in the decline in golf club membership, and things like cost, other competing leisure interests and the time needed to play a round are big factors. But I would argue that a climate and culture in golf clubs in which young people or prospective members do not feel comfortable, and may even feel slightly intimidated, is a problem. And the dress code is part of that culture.

I am not arguing that the rules are that strict, it's just that I would say they are mostly antiquated in 2013 and do not portray a welcoming image to someone thinking of trying out the sport.

 

[CMAC]

Amen to that, North Mimms.

edit: really must try not to post immediately after DV. Or maybe I should get a new avatar...

don't worry, I'll be changing mine soon

 

[Hacker Khan]

there is no performance issue you are correct. However appropriate clothing on the course covers what the consensus find acceptable. In most cases the consensus doesn't want jeans on a course.

this is probably because there is a correlation between, dress codes & how seriously you take the game. It's a generalisation but if you can't be bothered to dress properly then you will knob your way around in 150 strokes, not rake bunkers, not repair pitchmarks, shout alot and play slowly!! IMO

I think this goes to the heart of the matter. Who's consensus is it? The consensus of the mostly middle to old aged white male members of the committee, or the consensus of the generation that most golf clubs need to attract?

 

[SAPCOR1]

Just bought these which will no doubt upset a few.....

 

[Rooter]

I think this goes to the heart of the matter. Who's consensus is it? The consensus of the mostly middle to old aged white male members of the committee, or the consensus of the generation that most golf clubs need to attract?

I would say the majority of serious golfers (irrespective of age, race, religion, sexual orientation etc) do not want jeans on the course. I suggest mike has that as his first poll. I am with therod on this.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Just bought these which will no doubt upset a few.....View attachment 5066

They are golf shoes though aren't they, so where's the issue? And exactly the reason I don't think the dress code is so strict it would put off youngsters.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I would say the majority of serious golfers (irrespective of age, race, religion, sexual orientation etc) do not want jeans on the course. I suggest mike has that as his first poll. I am with therod on this.

Pointless to have it as a poll on here asking if jeans are acceptable, as the majority on here are not young people or the future generations who the clubs need to attract. So it will prove nothing. And I will reiterate that we should not get too hung up on whether jeans are acceptable or not. As I already said, the dress codes are part of a wider culture at golf clubs than I believe needs to be addressed.

Really interesting article about Troon golfs new dress codes http://golf.about.com/od/golfetiquette/a/troon-golf-daily-fee-dress-code.htm, with the comment

'What Troon's new daily fee dress code policy boils down to is this: They'd like you to show up in a traditional golf outfit, but if you'd rather play in gym shorts and a t-shirt - if that's what it takes to get you onto the first tee - hey, bring it on.

'Michael Lamanna, director of instruction at The Phoenician, succintly explained the reasoning: "The new generation of golfers are turned off by stuffy, formal atmospheres. Troon Golf is simply recognizing this shift and we want to be as welcoming as possible."

I say very best of luck to them and hope it works out.

 

[SAPCOR1]

I would say the majority of serious golfers (irrespective of age, race, religion, sexual orientation etc) do not want jeans on the course. I suggest mike has that as his first poll. I am with therod on this.

Yes, but why not?

 

[DCB]

Re Troon Golf , As a commercial concern they'll do anything to get the footfall on their courses 'cause that's what makes them money.