Dress Codes: Good or Bad for the Game?

[RickK]

The original purpose of this thread was to dicuss if dress codes are good or bad for the game.

To rephrase what N.V.M. said...I think the poll pretty much speaks for itself. I don't consider most golf courses to have "strict" dress codes. I think those that do have dress codes for the most part seem to be reasonable. We are not talking PGA Tour here where the players have to wear slacks...no shorts. I used the no shirt, no shoes, no service for restaurants. Where I live, even in fast food restaurants, I don't see any "no shirts". Flip flops are pretty dang close to no shoes but I don't think even moderate restaurants have relaxed their dress codes to where you can come in barefooted and no shirt just to get your business.

[TCCcaddie]

[iQuest Golfer]

This thread has had some high and low points. Here is what Mr. Palmer has to say about dress.

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/a...?currentPage=2

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." - Arnold Palmer

From: 10 Rules for Good Golf Etiquette, Golf Digest, Aug 2008

Very timely advice from a sage of the game.

[pjsnyc]

Agreed - dress codes are good for the game. Unfortunately, this thread took a turn for the worse when some started making hasty generalizations. I'm not asking anyone to go back and read every post in this thread (because there are a crap load) but realize that the issue is not so black and white as the poll would suggest.

LOL, looks like I got negative rep for objecting to someone calling others 'neanderthals'...ugh

[PEZGolf]

Agreed - dress codes are good for the game. Unfortunately, this thread took a turn for the worse when some started making hasty generalizations. I'm not asking anyone to go back and read every post in this thread (because there are a crap load) but realize that the issue is not so black and white as the poll would suggest.

I thought that I was going to get a negative rep after I wrote about the "riffraff", but I escaped that. Some people get very sensitive when we use a negative expression, out of fear that we mean THEM or someone in their immediate family. My feeling is that we are on a Discussion Board or Forum, and people are entitled to their own opinions. NO ONE should get upset from a comment that is not personally directed or harassing.

[Smallville]

I thought that I was going to get a negative rep after I wrote about the "riffraff", but I escaped that.

Actually, you may have been one of those I was "arguing" with that I may have given a positive to! I also gave some positive to some of my fellow neanderthals but you are only allowed to give so much a day so I know I missed a few! Now, had you backed down and gone the other way . . . . I was half afraid I was gonna end up gretting put in the corner for stirring up the pot, being the "new guy" and all but it seemed like most of the time people didn't even notice I was posting! I was almost wondering if I was the only one seeing my posts! I didn't get any good rep but I didn't get any bad either. I've been on boards where you couldn't even think about showing your own personality because if you did, it was time to find a new board because you weren't allowed on that one any more.

[ganjagolfer]

i'm not a big fan of seeing shorts on the golf course. think the usga was wise to ban them from their competitions for the players but think they should take a second look at it why they allow it for the players' caddies. why should i, watching a golf event and seeing fantastically executed shots, have to see another man's bare naked legs??? i often tell folks, more than often young men, who when they ask if they can play along and i see they are wearing shorts, tell them a quick curt "no".

[ganjagolfer]

would you perchance, be a hooligan?

[Scratch-Hopeful]

I think it all depends on the course. If it is a nice course that charges a good amount then there should be a dress code. But courses like my home course which is in a small town, 9 holes, and never in that great of condition shouldn't require a dress code.

[TheRedeemer]

Good for the game. Tank tops, and basketball shorts are for just that. Basketball. Wife beaters are for the trailer park not the golf course. LOL

[PEZGolf]

I think it all depends on the course. If it is a nice course that charges a good amount then there should be a dress code. But courses like my home course which is in a small town, 9 holes, and never in that great of condition shouldn't require a dress code.

Here is my solution to the question of dress codes at public golf courses:

I am buying a 9 hole course in our area that is on an isolated road. After the closing, a sign will be posted: "Public Golf Course, nudists ONLY allowed". There------------------no need to worry about what types of clothes-------------NO CLOTHES!!! And coed leagues and foursomes will be encouraged.

[ganjagolfer]

"Public Golf Course, nudists ONLY allowed.

why not call it a "Pubic Golf Course"?

[pjsnyc]

Just read some of the latest posts and missed a few that I'd like to touch upon.

I don't understand some of the explanations for justification that how one dresses automagically says something about someone. I was just on another thread about how this guy got paired with a complete jerk but was dressed in proper golf attire (the posts got deleted - hmmm) - point already disproven.

And another - I like Arnie as much as the next guy, but copying and pasting what he said in an article means nothing. I mean you wouldn't copy and paste what Ben Hogan said about putting (that it should count as half a stroke) and treat it as gospel would you?

I just want to be clear - I have no problems with anyone's opinion. I do have a problem when people resort to name-calling/racial slurs as well as when one doesn't provide valid justification for anything.

[MtGolfer]

A tank top on a golf course? Basketball shorts? I mean, seriously, do you even need a dress code to realize that it's just inappropriate?

Just to play Devil's advocate: Why are basketball shorts and a tank top so inappropriate for what is, after all, an outdoor recreational activity? A jacket and tie was the accepted uniform for golf not all that long ago, and we now consider collared shirts ok at any course. Fashion has continued to get more casual in most parts of working and recreational life.

[TheGolfingDetective]

Where did we get into racial slurs? And, sadly, the way you dress--anywhere--does say something about you to others, and we want it to say something about us. Do you think punks, Goths, hip hop fans dress the way they do to NOT say something about themselves? Fashion lets us talk without words and it does play into one's first impression and it does matter.

If you own a company, and you have a chance to hire one of two people, and their education, demeanor, background are equal, but one dresses like every day is casual Friday and the other is the suit and tie, first impression type, you will absolutely hire the better appearing one. It's a fact.

[Fraser]

I'm all for dress codes. Then again I dress fairly smartly at home, usually wearing polo or button up shirts and a smart pair of jeans in the winter, in the summer maybe polo shirt and golf friendly shorts.

[TheGolfingDetective]

How many Steve Jobs are out there?

I just want to know if you can truthfully say to yourself that you NEVER infer a single thing upon meeting someone based on their appearance to you. That may change as you get to know someone, but initially, we all do it.

[ClairefromClare]

Two reasons for the yes.

First, I also play duplicate bridge. Tournaments typically have afternoon and evening sessions, with a dinner break in between. In the good old (civilized) days, people wore black tie for the evening session. Very competitive, but very polite.

No dress code these days, and just horrible behavior. It's the old fake it 'till you make it thing--looking good forces you to behave better.

Second is the challenge. Pushing the envelope is much more fun than not having rules. There are some clothing lines out there that can make 19" outseams and polo colors look downright edgy--think http://www.jamiesadock.com/ , with asymmetrical collars and skin tight bermuda shorts. Gotta love following all the rules and still raising eyebrows at the club.