What is Smart Casual dress code?

[SandyBalls]

I was reading in GM this month about a recent visit by readers and forum members visit to the Belfry.

I treated myself to play the PGA and Brabazon course back in August. I went up there with 3 friends for what we considered to be a real treat.

I checked their website and also phoned to check on dress code for the restaurant, bars and golf courses. Normal course attire I was told for the courses and 'smart casual' for the bars and restaurants.

So imagine my dismay when I found many people wandering around the place in flip-flops, jeans and t-shirts. Not only in the bar but in the evening in the restaurants.

I wouldn't mind if I had read 'anything goes' but I didn't. Can this level of dressing down be classified as smart casual or should these people have been turned away?

I felt a little cheated somehow. I know these 'offenders' were probably not golfers. But a dress code is a dress code. Surely the Belfry should either enforce it or scrap it?

 

[Doh]

The Belfry is not a private members club as such as far as the golf course go's it's defiatly no jeans or trainers but in the Hotel anything go's dont forget some people stay there and dont play golf.

 

[DCB]

I've seen the same elsewhere.

A nice couple of days away on a golf break with the wife. back to the hotel, swim, sauna, get dressed for dinner only to find that some of the folks were thinking they were at a Spanish beach resort.

It's just polite to dress properly when using the Dining Room in the evenings I think.

 

[SandyBalls]

The Belfry is not a private members club as such as far as the golf course go's it's defiatly no jeans or trainers but in the Hotel anything go's dont forget some people stay there and dont play golf.

I appreciate this but why tell people one thing then allow something completely different? There should not be one rule for golfers and another for the 'other guests'.

If its not a members club then surely they could not 'enforce' a certain attire on the golf course either? But they do.

 

[Fyldewhite]

The Belfry is first and foremost a hotel. As with most hotels they will always say "smart casual" if asked but so long as you are clean, inoffensive and most improtantly, continuing to spend money on what are usualy grossly overpriced facilities/meals/drinks etc then they will not usually bother too much.

It makes sound business sense and more and more golf clubs are adopting a similar approach. After all, an idiot in a jacket and tie is still an idiot yet we turn perfectly respectable people (and much needed revenue) away because they have trousers made from the devils own cloth - denim.

 

[USER1999]

Smart casual is a linen suit, cravat, and a panama hat.

 

[drawboy]

I saw a "person" on my course at the weekend in an 'effin football shirt. Smart casual..excuse for scruffyness IMO.

 

[viscount17]

Smart casual is a linen suit, cravat, and a panama hat.

is that with flip-flops?

 

[Herbie]

The Belfry is not a private members club as such as far as the golf course go's it's defiatly no jeans or trainers but in the Hotel anything go's dont forget some people stay there and dont play golf.

I appreciate this but why tell people one thing then allow something completely different? There should not be one rule for golfers and another for the 'other guests'.

If its not a members club then surely they could not 'enforce' a certain attire on the golf course either? But they do.

The owners or proprietors can tell you to do what the hell they want you to, or refuse you entry. I know its frustrating, but I dont see it as a problem there, if you dress like crap (and it doesnt take much not to)thats what such people often are.

 

[USER1999]

As long as you wear black socks with the flip flops, yes.