Is Golf's Dress Code Outdated?

[ParFore74x]

The munis in this area are pretty relaxed, several people wearing tees and jeans. That attire doesn’t bother me in the least at a muni. Last year was interesting though, started seeing quite a few guys in basketball/athletic shorts and t-shirts with the sides cut out. There were even a few occasions of guys with no shirts at all. Way too relaxed IMO. However, the way they dress is on them not me so I say whatever makes them happy at the munis.

I prefer golf shorts, or pants if it is chilly, and a polo or 1/4 zip because I find them to be comfortable. Doesn’t bother me in the least at a semi-private or private club if they have a dress code. Their course, their rules. 

[Golf2Much]

Are golf dress codes outdated?  I'm sort of in the camp of "no, but..."

No, in that I view many dress codes as an element of respect.  You dress "appropriately" to respect the game, the course and your fellow players.  The classier the golf venue, the classier dressed you should be.   However, there should be some basic minimum standards that should be adhered to.  Respect the game, others and yourself by dressing nice.

Why have some minimum standard?  Ever try to implement a dress code at your workplace?  You start out with good intentions and agree on what many feel is a reasonable set of guidelines.  However, there's always a group of people that feel they need to stretch the guidelines to the point that you are constantly updating and placing more restrictions on what can and cannot be worn.  Jeans are OK, but ripped jeans are not.  Shirts are OK, but nothing with "objectionable" sayings.  You get the picture.  Finally, everyone throws their hands up and you go back to your original dress code.  

Here's the but.  Unfortunately, some golf venues look at the dress code as a revenue weapon to penalize players and guests.  When they see someone who may be pushing their perceived dress envelope, the put their foot down and make an expensive event even more expensive by requiring them to buy shirts or other "conforming" clothing.  Yes, golfer should check the courses dress code (but how many do).   However, if someone is "tastefully dressed" for the environment, they need a pass.

Unfortunately, trying to define and apply a dress code is like what the Supreme Court said about obscenity and pornography:  I can't define it, but I know it when I see it!

[HeathS16]

As a High School golf coach I have my .02. 
 

Dress code: yes there needs to be something. But it shouldn’t be beyond no jeans and no tank tops. my players want to play in shorts and a t shirt. They also love joggers, which I tried and WOW were they comfy! But I do think clubs, yes, even munis should have some sort of code. 
I think the biggest problem is alcohol tbh, I know that take might get me a lot of hate lol  

[fixyurdivot]

I don't think it is outdated.  I like seeing neatly dressed folks on the course. Many restaurants and other venues have dress code requirements and there is nothing wrong with that IMO.

[Jim Shaw]

8 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/is-golfs-dress-code-outdated/

the article hits on some valid points, I feel every golf course should have "their" dress code front and centre so if you want to play golf on one particular golf course you won't be surprised when you arrive. 

If I go to a golf course that is new to me I always check their dress code, if I don't agree with it I don't play it.

the perception of the player will determine if the golf course makes money or not, if the dress code is perceived to be too strict for the style of gold course the players will go somewhere else, then if the course starts seeing a decline in green fee players they may change their dress code etc. etc.

If the question pertains to "professional golf" I don't mind seeing shorts on the athletes, I don't know if they "have" to wear shorts or if it is an option but it looks fine to me. 

[Preeway]

Outdated? No. Should we mandate strict dress codes everywhere? Also, no. Keep it respectable and clean. My only gripe is tank tops. I care far more about pace of play than someone’s shirt. 

[Guest-0]

3 hours ago, HeathS16 said:

As a High School golf coach I have my .02. 
 

Dress code: yes there needs to be something. But it shouldn’t be beyond no jeans and no tank tops. my players want to play in shorts and a t shirt. They also love joggers, which I tried and WOW were they comfy! But I do think clubs, yes, even munis should have some sort of code. 
I think the biggest problem is alcohol tbh, I know that take might get me a lot of hate lol  

I enjoy a drink as much as anyone but rarely on the course!! Scramble ya sure but for the most part it ruins the game I love. Not much makes me more angry than a drunk in a golf cart tearing up the course and the cart. I agree with you on that point and I don't care what anyone wears but the tank top is a nogo and as far as I'm concerned those joggers are but to each his own my kid loves them

[FallenSaber]

12 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/is-golfs-dress-code-outdated/

I'm a fan of collared shirts on the course. I like the tradition and I feel there is a sign of respect for the game. I don't like when it gets over the top with the need to tuck in the shirt or wear long pants. I think there should be room for flexibility. Especially for public courses. If a private course wants strict dress codes then it is their right to do so and I do not think they would follow the PGA.

[HeathS16]

1 hour ago, Marlin Dave said:

I enjoy a drink as much as anyone but rarely on the course!! Scramble ya sure but for the most part it ruins the game I love. Not much makes me more angry than a drunk in a golf cart tearing up the course and the cart. I agree with you on that point and I don't care what anyone wears but the tank top is a nogo and as far as I'm concerned those joggers are but to each his own my kid loves them

I swore I would never do it but man...it was so nice to walk a round of golf in them. So comfortable...I was shocked just hoe much I liked them. 

[Guest-0]

6 minutes ago, FallenSaber said:

I'm a fan of collared shirts on the course. I like the tradition and I feel there is a sign of respect for the game. I don't like when it gets over the top with the need to tuck in the shirt or wear long pants. I think there should be room for flexibility. Especially for public courses. If a private course wants strict dress codes then it is their right to do so and I do not think they would follow 

So wearing a collared shirt shows respect for the game untucked and wearing shorts?? Bro I had too sorry it just read funny to me I'm a clown pay me no mind. I just find it comical we can all tell anyone the specs of every new golf club or piece of equipment and all the innovation in the game but we are worried about a collar on a shirt??? Its just funny to me. I do wear collared polo shirts almost daily and like them but could care less what another man is wearing! I think it's time to put the code to bed with the metal cleats and steel shafted drivers

4 minutes ago, HeathS16 said:

I swore I would never do it but man...it was so nice to walk a round of golf in them. So comfortable...I was shocked just hoe much I liked them. 

Bro they are sweatpants and always have been!!! Dont fall for the "jogger" Kool aid

[FallenSaber]

13 minutes ago, Marlin Dave said:

So wearing a collared shirt shows respect for the game untucked and wearing shorts?? Bro I had too sorry it just read funny to me I'm a clown pay me no mind. I just find it comical we can all tell anyone the specs of every new golf club or piece of equipment and all the innovation in the game but we are worried about a collar on a shirt??? Its just funny to me. I do wear collared polo shirts almost daily and like them but could care less what another man is wearing! I think it's time to put the code to bed with the metal cleats and steel shafted drivers

Bro they are sweatpants and always have been!!! Dont fall for the "jogger" Kool aid

I've never really had a problem with what anyone else was wearing. I saw a guy in a sleeveless shirt that he clearly ripped the sleeves off of. I did think that was a bit too far. There is a point to the fact that it probably shouldn't matter what people wear.

As for the PGA, if they ever make a change, I think it'll be to a local rule where the clubs have their own rules for dress code, similar to professional tennis.

[Guest-0]

1 hour ago, FallenSaber said:

I've never really had a problem with what anyone else was wearing. I saw a guy in a sleeveless shirt that he clearly ripped the sleeves off of. I did think that was a bit too far. There is a point to the fact that it probably shouldn't matter what people wear.

As for the PGA, if they ever make a change, I think it'll be to a local rule where the clubs have their own rules for dress code, similar to professional tennis.

Yeah I'm with you on tank tops or no sleeve specials!! But there are some really sweet performance wear t shirts that look nice and matter of fact my favorite golf shirts are those and I bought them in the pro shop at The Quarry at Bay Harbor and that's ultra exclusive. I am comfortable in collared shirts though and wear them going to a new club always but I will always wear shorts I cannot imagine long pants in Key West in May

[berkeleybob]

2 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

So wearing a collared shirt shows respect for the game untucked and wearing shorts?? Bro I had too sorry it just read funny to me I'm a clown pay me no mind.

I’m of that generation/upbringing that mandated that I tuck in my shirt. Period. Then about five or 10 years ago, my wife said in the politest way possible that I look like an old man whenever I tuck in my shirts. I started looking around sure enough everyone with a tucked-in shirt had white hair. I mean, I’ve got gray growing in, but I don’t necessarily want to advertise it.

So, yeah, tucked-in shirts is just antiquated fashion.

2 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

Bro they are sweatpants and always have been!!! Dont fall for the "jogger" Kool aid

That was my first thought, too, but “sweatpants” was always a strange term. It always makes me think of the high school wrestlers trying to maintain their weight class.

Edited March 16 by berkeleybob

[Cade Rousseau]

18 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

Not picking at you at all here and iam a club member and would never wear jeans golfing but what about someone wearing jeans bothers you??? I mean iam just trying to understand? I've seen guys freak out on people for what they were wearing and I always wondered why???

I think jeans are completely fine in the right setting (local muni). I just wouldn’t prefer to wear them personally. I wouldn’t by any means freak out if I saw someone wearing them. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re swinging your swing and wearing your clothes in comfort! 

[Northern Monkey]

Gotta agree with the majority here in that I’m more interested in people looking after the course and keeping a reasonable pace of play than how they are dressed. 
I have no problem with a dress code and my own club has one but does it really make any difference to the quality of the course? Not really

Having said that I have played some really strict courses here in UK including one where I got reprimanded for having the wrong length socks whilst wearing shorts. The club maybe thought they were being progressive by allowing shorts, but in my opinion the sock issue was ridiculous! I mean what impact does the length of your socks have?

[Hacker60521]

Two part answer for me. At the private club we belong to I think we have a reasonable dress code. Collared shirt (tucked in), no jeans, appropriate shoes. It’s a club, and you accepted being subject to these rules when you joined. For public courses, people should be able to wear what they want — it’s a public course.

 

That said, it would be great if everyone wore clothes appropriate to their age and body type. Just because you have a tank top t shirt doesn’t mean you should wear it. 

[BallsLeon]

I’ll admit it, I don’t like playing with a tucked in shirt. Feel like I’m constantly adjusting it.

[unccross]

In my opinion, public courses should be a little more open, but private and semi-private courses should have whatever dress codes their members vote on.

[fixyurdivot]

13 hours ago, HeathS16 said:

I think the biggest problem is alcohol tbh, I know that take might get me a lot of hate lol  

Maybe more like excessive amounts of alcohol...which usually results in bad decorum and even worse play...and some really don't need to double down on the last part .  I mean it's clear that for some booze and cigars are as important as the golf itself.  So long as they don't adversely affect others out on the course (poor behavior, pace of play, burn marks on greens, etc.), to each their own.

Getting back to dress codes, I will say that when the LIV/PGAT marriage vows are complete, I suspect they will include the option to wear dress shorts.

[fixyurdivot]

2 hours ago, Cade Rousseau said:

I think jeans are completely fine in the right setting (local muni). I just wouldn’t prefer to wear them personally. I wouldn’t by any means freak out if I saw someone wearing them. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re swinging your swing and wearing your clothes in comfort! 

I've worn jeans on courses in Montana because showing up in a pair of skinny man dress pants draws strange looks from the cows .

[Michael.Sandoval33]

If I am playing the course and not just range/practice, I kind of like the dress code. It feels like a thing. Waking up, showering, getting ready and dressed to play. I'm not saying that it is for everybody and it doesn't bug me to see people out enjoying themselves in any way. But the respect for the course still has to be there in some capacity. 

[hoppman]

1 hour ago, BallsLeon said:

I’ll admit it, I don’t like playing with a tucked in shirt. Feel like I’m constantly adjusting it.

Exactly, plus I have to wear a belt with a tucked in shirt, with my shirt untucked, no belt, depending on the shorts I am wearing. 

[hoppman]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

I've worn jeans on courses in Montana because showing up in a pair of skinny man dress pants draws strange looks from the cows .

Same in Colorado, especially on the western side when weather is nasty or could turn nasty meaning early spring late fall. I even saw a guy playing in denim farmer coveralls with a long sleeve farmer work shirt at Devils Thumb in Delta, didn't bother me one bit, was probably a local. 

[funkyjudge]

I agree with Connor (the author).  The dress code for golf has long been outdated. At least most, if not quite all, of the elite private courses that I play on the winter golf tour have greatly relaxed their dress codes (several still do require that players remove hats when they go indoors, but virtually all of them have removed the requirement that golfers wear collared shirts, and joggers are acceptable almost everywhere).  Given, this is a "winter" tour, but we play from Nov. 1 to about April 15and there have already been several warm days (this Thursday's event was played in mid-70s temperatures, and 80-90% of the participants were wearing shorts and there were several wearing collarless "T-shirts". I didn't necessarily think that some of these T-shirts looked appropriate, but they didn't "offend" me.

At public courses, I see nothing wrong with golfers (male or female) wearing collarless shirts and sweatpants, if this makes them more comfortable I'm much more concerned with the golfers observing proper golf etiquette, maintaining a reasonable pace of play, and repairing ball marks and divots, which unfortunately doesn't happen on both public and elite private courses, based on my experience.

[funkyjudge]

10 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

So wearing a collared shirt shows respect for the game untucked and wearing shorts?? Bro I had too sorry it just read funny to me I'm a clown pay me no mind. I just find it comical we can all tell anyone the specs of every new golf club or piece of equipment and all the innovation in the game but we are worried about a collar on a shirt??? Its just funny to me. I do wear collared polo shirts almost daily and like them but could care less what another man is wearing! I think it's time to put the code to bed with the metal cleats and steel shafted drivers

Bro they are sweatpants and always have been!!! Dont fall for the "jogger" Kool aid

There are "joggers" made from dress pant material, with a fly and belt loops that are by no means "sweat pants" (I have a pair from Eddie Bauer, and they are not of the "skinny jeans" variety).  They have normal pockets and a fly and I wear a belt with them, like normal dress pants or jeans.  I would wear them for golf at any course where they are allowed, and I think that they look better than many of the current "golf slacks" that are skin tight.

[Rob Person]

Relating strictly to fashion, and nothing more, here's my take on it. With dozens, if not hundreds of companies,  producing clothing labeled as Golf wear, there is no shortage of options available for the consumer.  From online and to in-store retail options there is always something. 

My preference is not the same as yours,  and I am ok with that. I have some loud and awkward golf wears.  I have a bizarre sense of fashion. But I also have some plain Jane items too. It's all dependent on where I am playing. If I am an invited as a guest somewhere more upscale than my normal places of play, I will absolutely get the scoop on what's expected.

I work at a course part time, and absolutely believe in exceptions too.  It is a public course, but it has membership options as well.  We have 8 + high schools that practice everyday there (on different days) they hit the range,  then grab a 9 hole round after.  They go out in their gym clothes for the range, then out on the course. They play amongst the public players like this. Again, no issues with that from the management. They've made a reasonable accommodation decision based on revenue needs. A few guests raised question to this, but were understanding once an explanation was presented to them.

We do have a sign that says collared shirts required and no metal spikes as well.

If you are in the Echelon that belongs to an exclusive private club, then the BoD's have probably set, and enforce, definitive rules and expectations. 

 

[Bosox04]

The clothes I wear for golf are probably as comfortable as the clothes I wear off the course. A modern collared golf shirt would be more comfortable on the course than a cotton t shirt. I don’t think the golf dress code is outdated. I think some people just don’t like to be told what to do.

[chisag]

9 hours ago, berkeleybob said:

I’m of that generation/upbringing that mandated that I tuck in my shirt. Period. Then about five or 10 years ago, my wife said in the politest way possible that I look like an old man whenever I tuck in my shirts. I started looking around sure enough everyone with a tucked-in shirt had white hair. I mean, I’ve got gray growing in, but I don’t necessarily want to advertise it.

So, yeah, tucked-in shirts is just antiquated fashion.

 

... Yup, we grew up in a shirt is always tucked generation. Hard for young folks to understand that because they grew up in the opposite with shirts untucked. Add to that our generations shirts usually had pretty long tails and you looked like a slob in a mini skirt with them untucked. 

... Moving to Phoenix cured me of my tucked tradition and once the temps get over 100* I wear my shirts untucked because the last thing I want to do is trap any of my body heat. This facilitated me completely updating my shirt wardrobe to modern polo's that have a short tail and are designed to be worn untucked. I still wear them tucked in winter (at least I wear a white belt not brown with brown shoes ) but for the other 6 months they are untucked. 

[Josh Parker]

Everyone has seen photos of how terrible our greens look at my course.  I don't really care what people wear within reason but at the end of the day, I would much rather see people repair divots, pitch marks, keep pace of play and respect the course.  Even when it's as bad as ours.  

[GolfSpy_APH]

Great feedback from all so far, nice to see a good discussion all around. 

@GolfSpy_Connor thanks for a great piece!