Dress Codes: Good or Bad for the Game?

[pjsnyc]

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

Not sure if you meant Docker shorts (I'm assuming you meant long pants), but yeah in 95 degree heat with high humidity - yes, cargo shorts are more comfortable than a pair of Dockers.

Just like it can be more comfortable for a Catcher to wear his hat backwards when wearing a face mask. These analogies have so many holes, its funny - ya'll should be lawyers!

[Grogger31]

Not sure if you meant Docker shorts

Sorry, yes I meant Dockers-type shorts (just as an example of what I consider more appropriate golf attire than cargo shorts).

Just like it can be more comfortable for a Catcher to wear his hat backwards when wearing a face mask.

If someone is wearing a catcher's mask on the course, I'm ok with their hat on backwards. :o) Otherwise, I'm not buying that it is more comfortable that way.

[Vintage]

I think it should be up to the individual courses (and it is, for the most part).

If you want to join a more "strict" set of dress code type club, then join that. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, join a club that allows for that.

And if you join one or the other...adhere to it. You should know their rules regarding dress before you join. And if you don't like it, FIND A NEW ONE.

I personally have no problem with what anyone chooses to wear.

I've played some courses that are pretty strict; and I've played some courses that are more relaxed.

I have no problem with either. I actually like wearing polos when golfing. I prefer to wear khaki shorts (in summer, when its humid), but I am ok with khaki pants.

I do tend to enjoy the looser atmosphere more though. I like talking to people. At the course I've spent most of my summer golfing this summer (last summer was more of a "yuppie" type atmosphere in comparison)...its looser.

I've had people approach me, talk to me. I've been offered a beer. I've heard roars of happiness on good shots. And yes, I've had my golf ball roll through some unfortunate ball marks on the green.

And I am ok with that. I love golfing; but I also love encountering the different people on this course....rather than the same, old, stiff people that I usually encountered last summer.

And for whomever complained about sandals...

I spent $70 on my footjoy sandals. I'm wearing them. Yuppie course or not.

:)

[hemlock]

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

For 1 I do think tshirts are way more comfortable than polo/collared shirts.

But more importantly, comfort is more than just how something feels when you wear. Some people just don't feel(as in mentally i guess) comfortable wearing dress clothes like that. It's not their type of "fashion" and they don't feel right wearing it. Chances are alot of you that are saying you support dress codes are the same people that wear polo's everyday. To the mall, to eat, w/e.

[Undr Par]

I think it should be up to the individual courses (and it is, for the most part).

bingo, and I totally agree, by the way a nice response

[pjsnyc]

Sorry, yes I meant Dockers-type shorts (just as an example of what I consider more appropriate golf attire than cargo shorts).

Clarification is fun - ain't it?

[clemsontiger]

Dress codes are good for the game. I have the same problem as you do. I hat seeing idiots wearing crap to the course because you know that they are not going to take care of the course.

[Vintage]

Dress codes are good for the game. I have the same problem as you do. I hat seeing idiots wearing crap to the course because you know that they are not going to take care of the course.

You obviously haven't had the pleasure of seeing someone dressed as a wannabe Tiger, drive his cart drunk almost on the green on a "stiff" course.

Or have had the pleasure of some guy wearing cut off jean shorts and a t-shirt with his kid running you down to return a club you left behind the green. :) Yes, the odds are probably better that someone better dressed is more likely to take care of the course. But when I see someone dressed nicely/poorly, I don't assume anything. Odds may suggest one thing; but its just odds. It doesn't have an impact on the individual at all. The individual makes the choice. And I am fine giving him/her the benefit of the doubt until he/she proves me wrong.

[Grogger31]

Yes, the odds are probably better that someone better dressed is more likely to take care of the course.

You hit the nail squarely on the head, my friend. They are also less likely to jump up and down screaming when they make a 10 foot putt.

That said, I'm happy when I see someone break out of a stereotype.

[Vintage]

You hit the nail squarely on the head, my friend.

I also hope you read the following sentences, too.

(The point being; while the odds are that someone better dressed is more likely to repair ball marks, etc... its not because they are better dressed. Take someone dressed "poorly", dress them up, and they aren't anymore likely to repair ball marks. Rather, its the individual, not how they are dressed that impacts this.)

[Grogger31]

I also hope you read the following sentences, too.

I did, and it was well stated ... but didn't make MY point. You are right, it is the person ... but the factual statement remains the same.

Someone dressed "poorly", in my experience , is more likely to behave inappropriately on the golf course than someone who is "better" dressed. Are there slobs that have perfect etiquette? Of course. Are there people dressed to the hilt who act like idiots? Of course. But let's not discount a stereotype because there are exceptions.

[merklitl]

I don't think anyone here wants to exclude new players, but there is a level of respect to your fellow golfers, all of whom pay good money (especially in this economy) to participate in the game they love. Neatness and a respect for the rules of the particular club are all that matters.

I think that this is all a gray area (even though I voted it was good for the game) and each individual should adjust their expectations based on the course they are playing at the time.

[Smallville]

In my experience, the people who are worried about what other people are wearing are more likely to be pompous, uppity and holier-than-thou. As long as the course management allows the people on the course, who are you to say they are dressed inappropriately? Take it up with management.

Some of the people may not be pompous, uppity and holier-than-thou but don't discount stereotypes just because there are exceptions.

I personally think unless it's some high-priced ritzy course that has a dress code that says, "collared shirts, dress pants, whatever" that it's OK to wear jeans shorts and sleeveless shirts as long as neither is cut-off. If it's hemmed and bought that way, it's fine. Now the ball caps backwards is another story!

[Grogger31]

Some of the people may not be pompous, uppity and holier-than-thou but don't discount stereotypes just because there are exceptions.

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

As long as the course management allows the people on the course, who are you to say they are dressed inappropriately?

I wasn't saying anyone should be kicked off the course if they are within the course's dress-code. Not at all. That said, I'm aloud to "say" and think anything I like. If I came to a NASCAR event (I saw you are a fan by your avatar) dressed in a 3-piece suit, the fans would absolutely think I was pompous, uppity and holier-than-thou, right?

[Smallville]

Grogger - - -

Probably not but they might think you are nuts dressing like that in September in Kansas! LOL

And sure, you can say what you like. All I am saying is there's courses that have strict dress codes, courses that have suggested dress codes and courses that have no dress code at all. I will dress appropriately for the course I am playing (and I play all three types). And though you don't know me from Adam, I would be the exception to your rule because in your opinion I do not dress appropriately. The people I played with when I was learning the game taught me how to take care of a course, play ready golf and to use good etiquette. And in my opinion people who have a problem with how people are dressed should play the courses with the strict dress codes.

[Klean]

It's good for the game. But has to be reasonable. I'm a fan of cargo shorts tbh lol

[Grogger31]

And though you don't know me from Adam

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

We're all in agreement ... Dress appropriately for the course.

[Smallville]

Grogger-

Right.

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