Will Manufacturers Drive Dress Code Change in Clubs?

[Voyager EMH]

Seen yesterday at the Scottish Open

https://twitter.com/x/status/1552662107434487808

I want one. Where can I get one? I'm usually a size 18 for gender neutral sizing.

 

[Backsticks]

I agree....but I don't really want to see this either....

All fine. Only the prejudiced or snobs would have any issue playing along side those natty looks.

 

[D-S]

Of course there are places with dress codes, but both your examples are not on the course..western you have to arrive wearing jacket and tie, Ellie you still have to wear long socks with shorts, but on the whole clubs up here are far less strict on dress codes. I think my club is prob the only club in the area that doesn't allow jeans, but pretty muck ever other one does.

I realise that some of these are off course dress codes but they are dress codes none the less and interestingly they are as strict if not stricter than anything I know of in the south west of England and I do not know of many claiming that golf in this area is a ‘working man’s game’.
I have tended to play moderately ‘touristy’ courses when I have visited Scotland but when playing Gleneagles I noticed Auchterarder golf course, I am not sure of its status inthe pecking order but checked its rules and dress code for visitors :-
CLUB RULES FOR VISITING SOCIETIES

1. Four-Ball Stroke-Play is only permitted at the discretion of the Professional.
2. The wearing of Denim Jeans, Football / Rugby type shirts and shorts, vest-type shirts, collarless T-shirts, Track suits and Trainers are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN IN THE CLUBHOUSE AND ON THE COURSE. Shorts, if worn, must be tailored.
3. The use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden in the lounge areas of the clubhouse and on the course.
4. Excess consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Any visitor in obvious breach of this rule will be refused access to the course and asked to leave the club.

This is at least if not more strict than anywhere down here.
Just randomly checked another course in the area £25 midweek, decent value. Dress code
“The club operates a dress code both on the course and in the Clubhouse.

It would be appreciated if visitors would abide by this code, detailed below:

No denim jeans or jean like trousers on the course

Shirts should have collars and sleeves

Ladies may wear sleeveless golf shirts

Shorts should be tailored

No football shirts or tracksuit bottoms

No spikes or golf shoes or caps/hats in the clubhouse.”

Again seems exactly the same as down here - this is Craigielaw by the way.

 

[KenL]

I don't think that golf is more of a "working man's game" (hate that phrase) in Scotland.

There are some extremely snooty clubs up here and some more relaxed ones just like there will be in Wales, England, the USA etc.

 

[Oddsocks]

Ok so women can wear sleeveless, how long before someone who identifies as male/him/his/he wears for example an under armour sleeveless tee shirt and the plays the discrimination card…. It’s coming!

 

[Alan Clifford]

I agree....but I don't really want to see this either....

The dungaree look is good.

 

[KenL]

Ok so women can wear sleeveless, how long before someone who identifies as male/him/his/he wears for example an under armour sleeveless tee shirt and the plays the discrimination card…. It’s coming!

Fine!

 

[Voyager EMH]

Ok so women can wear sleeveless, how long before someone who identifies as male/him/his/he wears for example an under armour sleeveless tee shirt and the plays the discrimination card…. It’s coming!

That's why I advocate pre-empting that with a gender neutral dress code.
If a club is going to have a dress code, making it gender neutral makes it easier to write.
It would solve issues with regard to socks, sleeves and shirt-tucked-in.

 

[tigerwes]

I'm really not bothered at all what people wear on the golf course, it really makes no difference to me or my game.

We've had strict dress codes for years, which some seem to think keeps the riff raff off the course. But these are the same people that refuse to let you through and fail to repair pitchmarks. But hey as long that shirt is tucked in.

 

[Brads]

I'm really not bothered at all what people wear on the golf course, it really makes no difference to me or my game.

We've had strict dress codes for years, which some seem to think keeps the riff raff off the course. But these are the same people that refuse to let you through and fail to repair pitchmarks. But hey as long that shirt is tucked in.

I know a member of the riff raff and he’s a great golfer.

 

[tigerwes]

I know a member of the riff raff and he’s a great golfer.

I didn't realise you knew me ?

 

[HeftyHacker]

The best golfer I've ever played with rocked up in a pair of faded old combats and a retro Liverpool shirt hidden underneath a tracksuit top. The round had been arranged by my mates gf as he was new to the area and looking for some people to play with.

Me and my mate looked at each other with raised eyebrows on the first tee but any doubts about his golf were answered when he smoked his 5 iron about 240 yards and proceeded to play the kind of shots I'd never seen live before.

Turned out he played off +2 and used to be in the same junior team as Rory in NI.

At our place theres no dress code as such and I've played in most attire short of my work suit tbh. For comps I'll always wear proper golf clothing but for casual rounds I just chuck on whatever gym stuff is closest to hand.

I've definitely seen an change in on course fashion recently with the hoodies and cuffed trousers etc and I think its a good thing. Not sure why people think that looking like the American dream is the ideal golf attire.

 

[sunshine]

Blimey - the why again is simple

Because that’s not what golf authorities, clubs , courses , driving ranges , players etc have deemed to be suitable clothing to play golf in

And I have seen plenty at local pay and playing topless etc - in fact recently at Belton Woods two group of lads topless etc

Can the why not be “looks” and standards ?

There doesn’t have to be a practical reason why - but you have been told the reason why clubs and authorities impose dress codes

If you turned up at a restaurant with beach shirts etc and they said no entry would you stand there constantly asking why ?‍

Were you ever in the army / armed forces?

There’s something about the way you can’t understand orikoru’s points, and unquestioning adherence to the rules.

 

[sunshine]

Well, we had ours re-tarmaced and new spaces marked out a few years ago. And if you are a visitor coming to a club, first impressions can count. And even a nice clean car park helps in that.

Sounds very plush. Has your course made it into the top 100 golf club car park rankings?

 

[sunshine]

Totally agree on cargo shorts, the extra pockets would be perfect and they look pretty smart. Cannot understand why so many clubs say they're not allowed.

Middle aged men in cargo shorts. Maybe the club doesn’t want to look like a U2 concert?

 

[FourPutt]

Were you ever in the army / armed forces?

There’s something about the way you can’t understand orikoru’s points, and unquestioning adherence to the rules.

Hey now, no need for this. I am outraged down to my pink chinos and deck shoes.

 

[IanM]

Modern golf gear is so good in all weathers, why would you wear jeans or trackies? Maybe you like getting hot and sweaty? It's cheap as chips on County Golf or similar too, so playing golf in golf clothes (radical!!) isn't a price issue. Maybe it's inverse snobbery, which is a daft as the regular kind. Hoodies? Why not, but actually, "why?" I don't need a hood flapping being my head while over a shot thanks. Elasticated trouser bottoms with a gap above your shoes? I'll get the sting cream ready for you when you come in! (and it looks silly!)

But I am not saying that dress codes are rational. Long socks with shorts defies logic. But of the c2k courses in the UK, how many are actually like that? Not very many. I was a Rye a few weeks ago and the "members' uniform" was "salmon colour shorts and long multi coloured socks and it was change into J&T. between rounds too." Long trousers for me thanks. Place was full of old admirals and colonels and a very friendly bunch they were too. I'd go back again tomorrow without hesitation.

Three days later I am at Aberdare, up the Valleys. (Welsh use of the word Valleys, not the English misunderstanding that "Valleys" means "Wales!") Very very different vibe altogether. The folk on here who say "golf is stuffy" need a game there! Stuffy it certainly isn't. But they have their rules too.

Both Clubs and ways of doing things are equally valid and have their place. That's why I love golf, the diversity of clubs, courses and landscapes is endless!

 

[Oddsocks]

Modern golf gear is so good in all weathers, why would you wear jeans or trackies? Maybe you like getting hot and sweaty? It's cheap as chips on County Golf or similar too, so playing golf in golf clothes (radical!!) isn't a price issue. Maybe it's inverse snobbery, which is a daft as the regular kind. Hoodies? Why not, but actually, "why?" I don't need a hood flapping being my head while over a shot thanks. Elasticated trouser bottoms with a gap above your shoes? I'll get the sting cream ready for you when you come in! (and it looks silly!)

But I am not saying that dress codes are rational. Long socks with shorts defies logic. But of the c2k courses in the UK, how many are actually like that? Not very many. I was a Rye a few weeks ago and the "members' uniform" was "salmon colour shorts and long multi coloured socks and it was change into J&T. between rounds too." Long trousers for me thanks. Place was full of old admirals and colonels and a very friendly bunch they were too. I'd go back again tomorrow without hesitation.

Three days later I am at Aberdare, up the Valleys. (Welsh use of the word Valleys, not the English misunderstanding that "Valleys" means "Wales!") Very very different vibe altogether. The folk on here who say "golf is stuffy" need a game there! Stuffy it certainly isn't. But they have their rules too.

Both Clubs and ways of doing things are equally valid and have their place. That's why I love golf, the diversity of clubs, courses and landscapes is endless!

Don’t go being all open minded for god sakes, there’ll be a riot. Pink castle tees all over the place, people standing in the wrong place, flags being attended … total anarchy!

 

[sunshine]

Short answer, no.

Going back to the original question: Short answer, yes.

Apparel manufacturers are always looking to push mainstream clothing trends into golf. They need the pros to wear it on tv to normalise it and create the desire to purchase it.

Junior open at my club last October and almost every participant was wearing a hoodie. Sometimes it takes a few years for acceptance but it’s inevitable.

Ps Nothing like a dress code debate to stir up emotions on this forum. I feel like the mods have instigated this to divert attention away from the Saudi thread ?

 

[IanM]

Junior open at my club last October and almost every participant was wearing a hoodie. Sometimes it takes a few years for acceptance but it’s inevitable.

Otherwise we'd all still be dressing like James Braid!