EGU Says Relax Dress Codes and Allow Mobile Phones

[HawkeyeMS]

Most people in the world don't. They are playing golf, but occasionally they need / want to send a message. I never understand why it's one extreme or the other. Just because we start to allow mobiles everyone turns into an idiot incapable of striking a balance between playing golf correctly and in a timely manner and spending time texting, facebooking etc etc. People come to play golf, not walk around on their phone, so allowing them isn't going to suddenly open the door to everyone abusing the right

But I thought the whole premise of this thread was that golf courses would make more money and attract more players if they allowed mobiles and Jeans?

 

[didsbury_duffer]

.....and as for the bloke that wears the 3/4 length thingies, if it is not a wind-up, then stick him off the reds and book him in for 'the' operation !!

 

[chellie]

Can't see the problem with keeping a spare pair of smart trousers and shoes in the car in case you are passing the club and want to go in.

My opinion - I would hate for jeans to be worn at our place on or off the course.

 

[Jack_bfc]

Dress codes is a tricky one. I understand its difficult for the established old guard to let standards slip but they have to move with the times.

Jacket, collar and tie at presentations evenings etc is so outdated.

Smart casual in the clubhouse should be the order of the day and dont get me started on the 'tailored' shorts and socks issue.... !!

 

[woody69]

But I thought the whole premise of this thread was that golf courses would make more money and attract more players if they allowed mobiles and Jeans?

The perception of some non-golfers is that golf is an old mans past-time with out-dated rules and traditions. In some clubs this is true and the banning of jeans inside the club house and mobile phones on and off the course does little to remove this stigma.

If a non golfer thinking of taking up the game visits a club but has doubts on what they are wearing it is unlikely they will go. If it was made clear that no such restrictions existed in the club house that rule may make that person less apprehensive about visiting. I can wear smart jeans to Michellin Star restaurants, so I don't see why I can't wear them to my golf club's bar. I don't advocate that jeans should be allowed on the course and I'm actually a firm believer in keeping that in place, for the same reason I don't play football in my jeans.

However mobile phones if used discreetly and responsibly pose no threat and if I had to choose a club between one that allowed them and one that didn't, I would go with the one that did pretty much every time and I'm sure my opinion is echoed by many.

 

[stevie_r]

Lol -only with full length socks just below the knee

White ones obviously

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The perception of some non-golfers is that golf is an old mans past-time with out-dated rules and traditions. In some clubs this is true and the banning of jeans inside the club house and mobile phones on and off the course does little to remove this stigma.

If a non golfer thinking of taking up the game visits a club but has doubts on what they are wearing it is unlikely they will go. If it was made clear that no such restrictions existed in the club house that rule may make that person less apprehensive about visiting. I can wear smart jeans to Michellin Star restaurants, so I don't see why I can't wear them to my golf club's bar. I don't advocate that jeans should be allowed on the course and I'm actually a firm believer in keeping that in place, for the same reason I don't play football in my jeans.

However mobile phones if used discreetly and responsibly pose no threat and if I had to choose a club between one that allowed them and one that didn't, I would go with the one that did pretty much every time and I'm sure my opinion is echoed by many.

I think we agree, definitely about jeans and probably about phones. The bit in bold is the key, I guess I have less trust in people to do this than you do. Also, I have my doubts that they wouldn't contribute to slow play, maybe not directly but certainly indirectly.

Consider the situation where you are hitting your tee shot and for whatever reason you lose the flight as it goes into the rough, you turn to your playing partners and ask if they saw it and they reply, "no sorry, I was just checking my text messages". You're then searching for a ball that may otherwise have been seen. I know this come under "discreetly and responsibly" but this is exactly the kind of situation I can see happening if mobiles are allowed.

 

[stevie_r]

I agree that golf doesn't need to permit jeans... golf just shouldn't be seen as banning them

Its the banned from this/that, prohibited from this/that, comply with this/that approach that makes clubs unwelcoming to potential members and pay as you play customers (what some clubs call visitors)

Its the prominence clubs give to things you cant do that puts people off

I can't find our dress code published anywhere; it's not in the rules in my little fixture diary, it's not on the website.

We are a hotel based proprietary club; I doubt the hotel would turn away any guest wanting to play in jeans (shoes might be different on H&S grounds).

I have never seen anyone on the course in jeans/ trackies etc , ever.

 

[Duckster]

Dress codes is a tricky one. I understand its difficult for the established old guard to let standards slip but they have to move with the times.

Jacket, collar and tie at presentations evenings etc is so outdated.

Smart casual in the clubhouse should be the order of the day and dont get me started on the 'tailored' shorts and socks issue.... !!

Must admit, I have no issue about jeans in the clubhouse, I always think that if you can wear it round town on a Friday or Saturday night, then it should be fine in the golf club.

But I quite like the jacket, shirt & tie at presentation evenings. Makes it seem a bit more special, I mean, it's not as if they happen every week. I go to more sportsman's dinners (mainly football) than I do golf presentation evenings each year and the sportsman's are always fully "suited and booted". No one complains there and they get a broad spectrum of young & old etc..

 

[Slab]

I can't find our dress code published anywhere; it's not in the rules in my little fixture diary, it's not on the website.

We are a hotel based proprietary club; I doubt the hotel would turn away any guest wanting to play in jeans (shoes might be different on H&S grounds).

I have never seen anyone on the course in jeans/ trackies etc , ever.

I know and that's why it seems strange that its so prominent on many club sites (that obligatory pic we've all seen of the 1/2 and 1/2 golfer)

I think many hotel/resort courses wouldn't dream of using it (not saying they wouldn't have a dress code, just that it wouldn't be so prominent) and in my limited experience it does seem to be member club sites that want to make sure their 'visitors' adhere to codes/rules etc which brings me back to the point of the perception of how welcoming clubs are deemed to be towards their customers

 

[Doon frae Troon]

http://monologues.co.uk/Brahn_Boots.html

I am always reminded of this poem when dress codes are discussed.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I am not sure that this is dumbing down but I would add that my views for on the course and off differ. I have often said that my club could make more money from me and a number of people I play with. All of us have passed the club when we need some lunch or a drink and allhave driven past because we are in jeans or trainers. Money that we would spend at the club goes elsewhere.at one of my previous clubs I used to get up there early in the morning, have ba couple of coffers, maybe breakfast and check my emails and read the news on my phone. No phone use in the clubhouse at my current club so more money lost. Just because the rules change does not mean that everyone is going to suddenly pitch up in ripped jeans and a hoodie whilst yelling down a phone but it does allow people to dress and act in a way that is more relaxing and normal to them.

I like the cut of your gib.

I do find it strange that a lot of golfers seem to think that their course will be full of hoards of rampaging youths on phones in jeans if the dress code is relaxed a bit. I've said it again and I will say it again, if you are allowed to wear jeans on the course there will be a very very small percentage of people in the clubs the members of this forum are in who wear them. And the vast majority of people will still wear more traditional golf attire.

It does not bother me one jot if jeans are allowed on the course. I won't wear them as as someone has said, they are not the most comfortable thing to wear to walk around for a few hours in, and anyone over 40 looks mostly silly in jeans anyway. And I imagine the vast majority of others I see on a course will not either. And if I see someone with them on then I am sure I will get over it.

But if it encourages someone to think about giving the game a go or does something to break down the perception of the game then what's the problem? I actually do not think on it's own it will make a jot of difference, and would much rather see dress codes say something along the lines of 'dress how you think is appropriate and what you feel comfortable in'. But I do not get the horror and anger when it is suggested.

 

[stevie_r]

Oh, and just a quick note to those who have joined the forum since Xmas - you will see all this again under a slightly different thread title before June

 

[Hacker Khan]

I agree that golf doesn't need to permit jeans... golf just shouldn't be seen as banning them

Its the banned from this/that, prohibited from this/that, comply with this/that approach that makes clubs unwelcoming to potential members and pay as you play customers (what some clubs call visitors)

Its the prominence clubs give to things you cant do that puts people off

Great point there sir. I kind of hate it when you go to club web sites and the dress code banning this and that is often very prominent, sometimes even before you can find how much it costs to play! As you say, it's more the perception it gives.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Oh, and just a quick note to those who have joined the forum since Xmas - you will see all this again under a slightly different thread title before June

Mid March more like In which I will be saying the same thing as I always do.

 

[MegaSteve]

If there was a choice I'd take oiks in jeans ahead of oiks with mobiles glued to their ear ...

 

[Rooter]

jeans on the course? No. however, i would like to see the rules relaxed to include the club house and the practice areas. I would practice more regularly if i could just pop there for an hour. If i am working from home, i am in jeans. Smart jeans, not ripped ones showing off my pants!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The problem is, not everyone is like you. If as you say you don't delay play and are ready when it's your turn, then I have no issue with you sending the odd text message. However, as soon as you allow phones on the course, it won't be people doing it discreetly(sp?) it will be people openly walking down the fairway talking, texting, facebooking, twittering or whatever else people seem to be unable to go without for more than a nanosecond. It will delay play and it will be distracting and golf will stop being the game it is now.

Personally, I don't feel the need to send a text message when I'm at golf and I certainly don't see the need to constantly check my phone just in case someone I know has just updated their status to tell me they've got a hangover. If I need to communicate I'll do it before or after golf, when I'm playing golf that's what I'm doing, everything else can wait.

...and yet again @Hawkeye you took the words right out of my mouth - 100% agree and all points covered.

I am more relaxed about dress code for juniors. Still think that adults can understand and rationalise better a dress code - kids and teens merely react at such a thing because kids and teens brains are wired that way.

 

[TheJezster]

Thought you were talking about something like this - http://www.littlewoods.com/goodsoul...-Ob+Mens+Casual+Shorts-_-qhJ6DX8c_21334966641

Just above the knee is normal standard

Good shout, I like them! Thanks for sharing, I think I will buy a pair.

As for someone wearing jeans on the course. Why the hell would you care what anyone else wore?? I just dont get it!? It doesnt affect you in the slightest if a chap on the next fairway is in jeans or not. Not one little bit. No discussion required, it just does not affect you.

So let it be, it's got nothing to do with you. clearly they were happy to don jeans for the round, so what? You might be wearing 15 year old dog eaten chino's which should never be seen anywhere.

We can all be too judgmental sometimes, just worry about what you wear, if you are happy then thats fine.

 

[fundy]

jeans on the course? No. however, i would like to see the rules relaxed to include the club house and the practice areas. I would practice more regularly if i could just pop there for an hour. If i am working from home, i am in jeans. Smart jeans, not ripped ones showing off my pants!

Our range and practise area has pretty much no dress code, occasionally see people pop on there for half an hour in jeans, especially if theyve brought the kid up for junior lessons. Dont see any issue with it at all (no difference to going to a public driving range really which have no dress code). Would rather not see them on the course but as long as smart see no probs in the clubhouse either.

As for phones, times change and they are becoming more and more a way of life for most people. My phone will be on silent in my pocket all the time at the club, and Ill look at it in quiet moments (including on the course), usually looking at latest sports scores!