What not to wear.

[jammag]

Sleep well and I look forward to pictures in your clown outfit tomorrow on the first tee :-D

 

[Parmo]

I wouldnt wear combats on the golf course, then again I wouldnt wear them off the golf course either. They are awful in my eyes. Im not an old crusty, Im only 28 but I know good dress sense.

Judging by your location that is debatable. ;-)

On a serious note, I don't see why looking smart on the course has to be wearing chinos? I wear Adidas trousers and a polo and look smart and feel good on the course, I hate looking at chav on the course with their jeans on, you find the same people are the ones hacking the greens up.

 

[Slicedwight]

I have noticed that the current 'fashion' for the kids is wearing chinos (albet with elasticated bottoms), white espadrills and polo shirts, and a tank top (or sweater vests as they call them!!) if its chilly, so golf cannot be that fuddy duddy etc if the teenagers are copying the style! infact my son (who at 16 is obsessed with the right brands etc) has a wardrobe that contains lyle&scott & pringle which are synonomous with golf. Infact all of the brands they wear these days was either golf or tennis attire initially.
I think the fact that golf has its own identity clothing wise is part of the appeal to me - i often fancy trying some of the real bright gear but always lose my bottle!

 

[Richie13]

Like you say, as long as you abide by the club rules then all is well in the world. Unfortunately, people don't.

wait, you where getting at me yet, i have not broken any club rules....not only are you narrow minded and snobby, your also a hypocrite

 

[Mungoscorner]

Problem is,a lot of narrow minded sorts,seem to think you can tell what sort of person somebody is, by how they dress ?
Theres a club near me,where if you ask for peanuts or crisps with your pint,they open the packet,and tip them into a bowl,before handing them to you !

I know it is getting late, but what does peanuts in a bowl, have to do with judging you on the way you dress

It's another reference to what some clubs deem "acceptable".As i've stated twice already,i'm all for standards on and off the course,whether they are to do with dress codes,or etiquette/behaviour,but having to eat crisps and peanuts from a bowl is ridiculous.

 

[Baldyeagle]

Are people not forgetting that golf is a members game. You choose to pay your fee's (wether that be membership or green fee's) to play the course. The course can set what ever dress code they like. You don't like it, Jog on... and how can we criticise a game for its traditions when its exactly that what makes the game great.

It's hardly the dress code that's made the game great, more likely it's just one of the obstacles put in place in the early days to stop the 'wrong' sort of people playing, an attitude that's sadly still in evidence at a lot of clubs.

I agree absolutely with insistence on honesty, good manners on the course and consideration of other players contributing to the 'great game' but I'm struggling to understand how pockets or no pockets has helped?

Lets not confuse continuation of unsubtle attempts at class distinction with the spirit of golf!
(God that sounded pompous but you know what I mean)

 

[Mungoscorner]

Are people not forgetting that golf is a members game. You choose to pay your fee's (wether that be membership or green fee's) to play the course. The course can set what ever dress code they like. You don't like it, Jog on... and how can we criticise a game for its traditions when its exactly that what makes the game great.

It's hardly the dress code that's made the game great, more likely it's just one of the obstacles put in place in the early days to stop the 'wrong' sort of people playing, an attitude that's sadly still in evidence at a lot of clubs.

I agree absolutely with insistence on honesty, good manners on the course and consideration of other players contributing to the 'great game' but I'm struggling to understand how pockets or no pockets has helped?

Lets not confuse continuation of unsubtle attempts at class distinction with the spirit of golf!
(God that sounded pompous but you know what I mean)

+1

Excellent post.

 

[d2cko]

Like you say, as long as you abide by the club rules then all is well in the world. Unfortunately, people don't.

wait, you where getting at me yet, i have not broken any club rules....not only are you narrow minded and snobby, your also a hypocrite

Nicely taken out of context, thank you.

I wasn't having a go at you for breaking any rules, I don't think I said that once. I was having a pop because you were wearing a football shirt. Wether there is a dress code or not I personally beleive that a football shirt has no place on a golf course. This is how I have been brought up and it is a view shared by everybody I played with today.

 

[Hooper]

Are people not forgetting that golf is a members game. You choose to pay your fee's (wether that be membership or green fee's) to play the course. The course can set what ever dress code they like. You don't like it, Jog on... and how can we criticise a game for its traditions when its exactly that what makes the game great.

It's hardly the dress code that's made the game great, more likely it's just one of the obstacles put in place in the early days to stop the 'wrong' sort of people playing, an attitude that's sadly still in evidence at a lot of clubs.

I agree absolutely with insistence on honesty, good manners on the course and consideration of other players contributing to the 'great game' but I'm struggling to understand how pockets or no pockets has helped?

Lets not confuse continuation of unsubtle attempts at class distinction with the spirit of golf!
(God that sounded pompous but you know what I mean)

Well said Baldy

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Most clubs including many munis have a dress code avaiable on their websites so it isn't as though you could be caught unaware of any transgression if you took the trouble to do some basic homework first. Personally I like the idea of "proper" golfing attire (trousers polo etc) and I'm not a fan of jeans, cargo shorts etc on the course. It's like any sport, there are specific clothes to wear (whits in cricket, team colours in football etc) and no-one would think of turning up and playing in anything different.

I for one don't think the dress codes at clubs makes any difference in this day and age. What use to get people's goat was the mandatory wearing of collar and tie, sometimes even for a lunchtime meal and certainly in the evening at clubs. That for the most part has gone as clubs move forward. What does need clarification is the plicy on shorts and socks. What length of sock is acceptable (knee length, trainer type etc) and perhaps some firmer stance on what constitutes a cargo short. I played at Maidenhead yesterday and they had pictures in the locker room of the type of fashion short they deemed acceptable and those that weren't with clear directions on what made each onegood or bad to wear. No fuss, no bother and clearly laid out for everyone to follow

If you accept jeans etc onto the course where do you draw the line. Would it be acceptable for someone to turn up in footie boots as they don't own golf shoes and didn't want to fork out for a pair? If you don't want to adhere to a club's dress code don't play there.

 

[BluenoseGolfer]

I read something along these lines yesterday on here, and I do agree. I love wearing the correct clothing, not only do you look smart, but it makes you FEEL the part, which certainly has an effect on my game.

 

[jammag]

I think the whole feeling the part though could be the reason he may not of dressed up for the course he was playing, if no one else usually wore full golfing attire then you would feel uncomfortable being the only one, same as if you wore a football shirt and everyone else was in shirt and tie.

The problem with a dress code unlike other sports is there is no dress code throughout the whole game its all based on individual clubs and what they choose. some want you to wear ankle socks others want socks on show etc. The other sports you are stating are team sports where you are told to wear the same kit within the rules of the game not the club you go to?

 

[sev112]

It's like any sport, there are specific clothes to wear (whits in cricket, team colours in football etc) and no-one would think of turning up and playing in anything different.
...
If you don't want to adhere to a club's dress code don't play there.

Cricket analogy is interesting ... havent all the international teams been playing in every colour under the sun for yeasr now, yet all the naysayers said it was a terrible breach of the traditional aspects of the game, yet it has coincided with a growth in the game with 20 20 and day night games etc.
Add to that that when i used to play cricket (albeit years ago) there was always someone who had been brought in at the last minute in jeans or brown slacks, blue shirt etc . Did we care ? No


And that standard retort about not playing there - well you find that we do play there, and we generally do adhere to the stated dress code. Doesnt mean that we dont think that the code is an anacronism (?) in the 21st century for all the satted reasons in the thread above.

Believe it or not, I really dont mind about dress codes per se - what i do mind about is individual components of dress codes that have no reason.

So here are some "suggestions" for what might be a reasonable set of "Guidance" realting to approriate dress to play golf. Feel free to add / comment.

Caps on in clubhouses - has a semblance of logic, perhaps because covering your face is deemed (by some/many) to be rude; having your face uncovered will help freindly interaction and engagement. So perhaps a not unsensible "rule".

Collars on (playing) shirts - non-sensible as the worlds top golfers wear them. Any shirt/tee shirt designed for out door sport is acceptable, with our without collars (subject to the subsequent rule on Football/Rugby etc shirts below)

Knee length White socks - ok you could (very) possibly make a case for long socks (snakes in the rough) but why do they have to be white ? Non-sensible. Socks may be any length. Socks are optional (i.e. if you play in golf/spiked sandals you dont need to waer socks as well. You coudl make a reaonable case to have a requirement for socks in the clubhouse due to odours.

Golf shoes - highly sensible, but banning trainers outright appears illogical because pros and caddies wear them.

No Football (or rugby etc.) shirts - raesonably sensible as they are highly visible "allegiance" and might lead to stressful arguments between players who shoudl not be distracted from playing golf and pleasant conversation. OK . (i would consider "banning" caps, crests on shirts etc as well because i cant see how you can have one with out teh other).

Shorts need to be approximately knee length (ie cover most of the thigh - for reasonable decency reasons). Shorts can be patterned (because if you can allow John Daly-esque trousers, you cant ban shorts with the same paterns)and may have pockets on the outside.

Shirts do not need to be tucked in. In fact anyone of my Body Mass Index and above should be positively encouraged to NOT tuck them in. In fact there is probably a good health reason to encougae shirts to be "out", i.e. minimising sweating, body odour and keeping a sensible body temperature

Jeans are acceptable. (i just cannot work out any logic whatsoever for banning "jeans" and it probably relates to not beinhg able to define "jeans" in the first place.

ALL clothes worn should be in a presentable condition and clean.


How you deal with the clothes (not) worn by most women on the courses these days is beyond me ...




I know that i'm a bit of an anarchist on this subject, and i think i would be more accepting if it weren't for the "Rules Hitlers" out there who delight in shouting at you for every minor transgression. Personally I think they shoudl be Guidance, not rules, and then the pro can have a quiet word with anyone that is too far from the limit.

 

[bluewolf]

I don't really see what all the fuss is about to be honest. Some clubs can be a bit OTT, but mainly the only problem is some of the overzealous senior (they're always senior) members who seem to take great delight in policing the course (I saw one guy last week berate a junior member just for the fact that part of his polo shirt had become untucked). I actually quite like the fact that I have to "dress up" for the course. I always wear jeans, cargo pants etc, so it's nice to change.
The chino's that keep getting mentioned aren't really a problem as there are plenty of straight leg, flat fronted trousers that look pretty cool (on the right people) and could be worn off the course. My golf shoes are the trainer type and look pretty cool. Polo shirts are a fairly fashionable item and some of the jumpers/fleeces/tops these days look fantastic.
I should also mention that "the kids" these days have a new game when out for the night. Has anyone else seen the groups of girls/lads who are out in golf gear and marking a card with every drink purchased.
As with anything else, golf wear can be cool, but if you wear 10 year old chinos with a crappy polo shirt and some cheap shoes, you will look daft. You will also look daft at the football wearing a pair of tesco jeans and a 3 year old football shirt. If you want to look cool, spend some money on some decent gear...

 

[viscount17]

Dress codes are irrational nonsense. Give me a football shirt and cargo shorts every time rather than the eyesores Daly and Poulter wear.

now to me football shirts should never be seen - anywhere other than a football pitch (certainly not in the stands covering a XXXXL belly).
JD's now, nothing wrong with them, just don't mix patterns as the lost soul in the pic above has done.

mine is a course where members are 'expected' to abide by a dress code while the pro shop never checks casual players - It does nark me to see street shoes worn on the greens. A growing number of members are tending to play lip service to the rules for casual games, quite a few pairs of cargo shorts about, though none in any variation of camo.

I am definitely agin 'shirts must be tucked in'; just take a look at Pettersen, Calc (or me) to see why.