Dress Codes: Good or Bad for the Game?

[pjsnyc]

True, and I'm guessing that most people who would come to a Golf forum would be good golf "citizens".

I wish it were that simple - its clear not all are in agreement based on this thread.

[iQuest Golfer]

Presentable? I can wear a t-shirt to university, to see my grandmother, walking down the street, but not at a golf course?

I can see that we have reached the point of agreeing to disagree, let's leave it at that. Cheers!

[LottaBalata]

Those tie-dies and cargo shorts are really THAT much more comfortable than your golf shirts and a pair of Dockers?

Look, I wear a shirt/tie/suit to work. Its REQUIRED, and I don't mind dressing up for work. But when I'm on the course, MY PUBLIC MUNI, I want to be relaxed, enjoying the sunshine and breeze, playing and improving my game. I haven't worn Docker shorts for years, they don't fit me correctly, I don't like how I feel in them, they're shorter than I like, YES CARGO SHORTS ARE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. And as far as a t-shirt of any kind vs. a shirt with a collar, YES THE T-SHIRT IS MORE COMFORTABLE. I don't care what you buy. Are you that single-minded to think, "Hey, that guy says t-shirts and cargos are more comfortable than the clothes I wear. . .WOW, I just don't believe him." Individuality my friend. What's good for one, isn't necessarily so for another.

As far as the hat backwards thing. . .I wear ballcaps, TW hats, visors to keep the sun out of my face when I golf. I'm not out there to make a fashion statements. Cargo shorts, yes, so much more comfortable. Why is my personal comfort in question here? You'll never convert me to the fraternity. . .

Absolutely valid. You're entitled to think whatever you like.

I think the point is, why? Do you find a 3-piece suite during a 100* car race comfortable? Or did you choose to wear it to just look better, in your opinion. That's what most of this is about, OPINION.

[Grogger31]

You'll never convert me to the fraternity. . .

You can wear anything you like to your Muni. No one's trying to convert you to anything.

Do you find a 3-piece suite during a 100* car race comfortable?

I'd actually prefer a 4-hour visit to the Dentist than to watch a NASCAR race for 15 minutes, but that's a different subject.

[HytrewQasdfg]

Bad for the game. Society has changed, golf should also.

To use an analogy, you are starting to see a lot of churches pop up that go out of their way to emphasize you do not need to dress up to attend services (including the pastor wearing jeans.) Why? Becuase the traditional church dress code was creating a barrier that prevented people (especially non-geriatrics) from attending.

Times have changed. There are tons of white collar professionals (like those that work in the computer industry) that wear jeans to work. "Corporate casual" has replaced the suit and tie in most major corporations. People at all levels just don't dress up as much as they did in the past.

In the past (long, long ago) the people who could afford to play golf were (by and large) were required to dress up for work, so dressing up to play golf was not barrier for them. There are plenty of people today that make more than enough money to play golf who never dress up(at work or at home), but requiring them have a special set of "dressy" cloths just to play golf set up a huge barrier to them entering the sport.

Restaurants have changed their required dress levels in order to survive in changing times. Restaurants that insisted on clinging to a "suit and tie" policy have long folded due to the lack of customers.

The number of people that play golf has been going down for a number of years. Golf is not a growing sport. Golf courses should look towards the restaurant industry. You don't have to abandon dress codes totay, but the traditonal golf dress code needs to be brought into line with current cultural standards.

[HytrewQasdfg]

The dress code is what it is. In most cases the right of admission is reserved by the management\ownership.

You seem to be under the impression people are banging down the walls to play golf courses. The truth is the number of golfers is declining, and a lot of golf courses are scrambling to make money (in my area I can name any number of golf courses that have been turned into subdivisions over the years simply because the golf course wasn't turning a profit.)

If you turned up to a restaurant where dinner dress, with tie is required and you were in a vest and shorts, you would be refused entry.

Actually, what has happened

in the real world is restaurants have changed their dress code to match their customer base. Their customer base quit wearing ties, and restaurants followed suit (or folded.) Golf should do the same. You do realize that a golf course is a business enterprise don't you? If it doesn't make a profit, it folds. The question of whether a dress code is good for golf or not should really be asked whether it is good for golf as a business. If it increases the number of people that play golf (and increases glof course's revenues) then it is good for golf. If it decreases the number of people that play golf (and decreases golf course revenues, which is what I think it does by creating an artifical barrier to those that would take up the game) then it is bad for golf. I

[Grogger31]

The number of people that play golf has been going down for a number of years.

That might be the case in some areas, but in the Northeast (CT for me) the private clubs have 4-12 year waiting lists with initiation fees at $10-$20K and yearly fees at $4-5K for a single member (no family).

Public courses require tee times at least a week ahead of time.

[goblue107501]

... Dress appropriately for the course.

This is the best comment I have seen yet. If a course has a strict dress code, stick to it. If it doesn't, then wear what you want. I've played at courses where anything other than naked is acceptable, and at courses where I actually saw someone have to purchase a different shirt because they didn't like what he had on. To each his own. Unless you hold the deed to the golf course you pretty much have to do what they want if you want to play. JD played shirtless and shoeless, but his name is on the course so he can do what he wants. I'll bet he fixed every divot and ballmark he made, and did nothing to disrespect the game.

I don't think that what you wear has any bearing on the game itself. The game is played between the white lines (on the court, from tee to green, whatever you want to use). How you dress means nothing as far as the good of the game. It is how the person handles themselves on the course, that is what is good/bad for the game. Respect the course, respect the game, clothing really doesn't mean a whole lot in my opinion. All that being said here is my opinion on a few issues. Cargo shorts - who cares, they are just regular shorts with a couple of extra pockets. Nike Golf has some shorts that have an extra pocket down the side. Are these okay to play in? Jeans - I won't play in them mostly because it is too hard to get things out of the pockets. If someone wants to play in jeans so what. I will if it is cold, they are typically warmer than regular pants. (I won't like it, but I will) Shirts - There are many very nice shirts that don't have collars. All the shirts that I play in are golf specific and they have collars. Some shirts are made differently which may make them better or worse to play golf in. I have found a style that is most comfortable for me. Although, if it is warm enough to wear shorts, my shirt will be untucked. This allows for some extra airflow so I don't get too hot. Shoes - wear what you want as long as it doesn't damage the course. If you can swing a club with sandles or flip flops and not break an ankle, go for it. My dad played almost everyday at his country club and never wore golf shoes unless it was wet. He just didn't ever slip if the ground was dry so he just wore his comfortable running/walking type shoes.

[ChiChiIsMe]

I'll go with Arnie on this one:

By Arnold Palmer With Guy Yocom .... VII. Always look your best From Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen to Ben Hogan and Sam Snead to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the best players have been meticulous about their appearance. Their clothing has been sharp, and not one of them has shown up on the first tee with his cap backward, mud caked on his shoes, or his shirttail hanging out. (My shirt often came untucked, but it was my swing that did it. I started with it tucked in!) Your appearance speaks volumes about you as a person, and the neatly appointed golfer, like a businessman or someone headed to church, gives the impression he thinks the golf course and the people there are special. ....

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/a...printable=true

[YogiTKE]

I believe it's great for the game. I can't stand the slobs in tank tops and jean shorts on the course. Play the game properly. Dress properly. At the very least, shirts on at ALL times and no cut-offs or tank tops. Wear that to the races.

[jeffhale08]

Dress like a golfer, not like you are on vacation. I hardly goto the range without full gear on. Just doesnt' feel right. I am raising my son the same way. If you look good, look like a golfer, you stand a better chance of playing well or at least look like you play well.

[pjsnyc]

...If you look good, look like a golfer, you stand a better chance of playing well or at least look like you play well.

I love the part about '...at least look like you play well'

Thx for the laugh.

[PEZGolf]

Looked for a thread on this and nothing hit on it exactly so here goes. What do you think, are dress codes good or bad for the game of golf.

I agree with you about the necessity for a dress code, and the poll results show over 83% feel the same way. I have belonged to a couple of private clubs in the past, and everyone dressed very nice. Over the past 18 years, I have "paid for the season" at three different public courses, and they have dress codes to "keep out" the riffraff. When I play in tournaments, I wear plus-4's and a tam o'shanter cap (a la Payne Stewart) and get many favorable comments, especially from the women. In fact, one time, I did not feel like donning my usual garb, and people came up to me and complained that I did not have on the "good clothes". Payne said that one reason that he dressed like that (besides being making him different from other Tour pros and be respectful of tradition) is that when he put on his "golfing garb", he felt like he was getting "dressed for work", and it helped his attitude. I agree---the clothes make the man.

[Smallville]

Glad to see that someone is only playing at courses that have a strict dress code to keep us riffraff out. That's been my suggestion all along, if you have a problem with what people are wearing, then you are obviously playing the wrong courses for you.

[PEZGolf]

Glad to see that someone is only playing at courses that have a strict dress code to keep us riffraff out. That's been my suggestion all along, if you have a problem with what people are wearing, then you are obviously playing the wrong courses for you.

I agree with you. The ways that people dress are a reflection of their character, and is a dead giveaway. If they do not care enough about themselves and the game of golf (which is different from other games), do you really want to be near them?

[Undr Par]

I agree with you. The ways that people dress are a reflection of their character, and is a dead giveaway.

yeah kinda like the young guy driving the BMW M3 down the highway is more then likely a Drug dealer too....

....theres no way he's got a good job and lives a honest life.....(just couldn't be that huh? ) so of course the guy who doesn't wear proper attire at the nearest course is a redneck/trailer park trash right?

[NM Golf]

ChiChiIsMe I love the Arnold Palmer bit. Its a great explaination by one of the classiest ambassadors of golf there's ever been. I won't repeat myself but I have to answer some of the arguements against dress codes.

Comfort:
Are you kidding me? I guarantee the new golf shirts made out of the performance fabrics are as or more comfortable than a t-shirt. Nice Docker shorts are also very comfortable.

Ettiquette:
Again dressing well doesn't guarantee good GC ettiquette but it sure doesn't hurt. Its again a respect thing, if you respect the course enough to dress well a majority of the time it will continue onto the course.

Changing values:
Your right, people don't dress as well as they used to and that is too bad IMHO. That is why its so important to keep that little bit of civility alive in the sport of golf.

Someone said it best. Golf is a gentleman's game. That is what makes it special. Honor, honesty, and integrity are all key aspects of golf. I'm sorry, I just don't see honor and integrity in a guy that looks like he pulled his golf attire out of his gym bag.

I am just happy to see that at the time of this post, people agree with me more that 5 to 1. Its good to know that people out there still respect the game and the dress code whether written or not.

[Smallville]

I am just happy to see that at the time of this post, people agree with me more that 5 to 1. Its good to know that people out there still respect the game and the dress code whether written or not.

I actually voted in the negative because there wasn't a "depends on the course" option. I'll always dress according to the dress code, if there is one. I don't have a problem with that. But if the is no dress code, you can bet I'll be out there in my jeans shorts and sleeveless shirt getting some sun while I'm playing. Again, both shorts and shirt are always hemmed and store bought, not cut off. And if you don't like the way I am dressed on a course that has no dress code, then you should probably be playing a different course (preferrably one with a strict dress code). If I am not sure about the dress code, I always bring a collared shirt and some dress shorts just in case. I don't have a problem with the rules, just don't tell me I have to conform to your standards or complain about it if the Golf Course MANAGEMENT doesn't have a dress code rule.