Dress Codes: Good or Bad for the Game?

[saevel25]

I think T-shirts are fine, if there tasteful, no sleeveless shirts. I don't mind cargo shorts, some look nice. Personally i try to wear a color when possible, but sometimes i will just wear a T-shirt, but its a nice T-shirt, usually a solid color, no sports T-Shirts..

[darkhunter139]

I wear cargo shorts sometimes if I am not going to a super nice course but always a collared shirt. If I know the course is nicer and has a dress code I always abide by it.

[MrSandman]

Most private courses in the northeast will not allow cargo shorts any more than they would t-shirts.  It is a simple etiquette issue.

I say, if you think cargo shorts are okay, you might as well wear a t-shirt out there.  Either observe proper golf attire or don't.  But people who think cargo shorts are perfectly fine yet look down on t-shirts are weird.

[darkhunter139]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

Most private courses in the northeast will not allow cargo shorts any more than they would t-shirts.  It is a simple etiquette issue.

I say, if you think cargo shorts are okay, you might as well wear a t-shirt out there.  Either observe proper golf attire or don't.  But people who think cargo shorts are perfectly fine yet look down on t-shirts are weird.

I personally don't care if someone wears a tshirt to a course that cost $20 a round to play.  They paid their green fee and if the course management doesn't have a problem with it who am I to care? Its not hurting me at all.

[sean_miller]

I don't care for cargo shorts personally, but I'm not playing private courses either. When I play somewhere that has even the hint of a dress code, I dress accordingly. When I'm not, then I wear something that would be appropriate to wear to work, which is usually where I'm coming from when I stop at the golf course.

[PhillyMac]

Sometimes I go play the local muni right after work and I have worn a t-shirt on a few occasions, nothing outrageous. When I go and play on weekends, I will wear a collared shirt. Oh by the way, I also wear cargo shorts, and wear my collared shirt un-tucked. But I will wear golf shorts as well. I did not realize cargo shorts were so frowned upon.

I have seen people in blue jean shorts, tank tops, basketball shorts and jerseys, and once I saw a guy playing a local cowpasture golf course, in blue shorts, no shirt and no shoes!

[Dave2512]

Same here, I dress based on the course I am playing. At the club I wear my best, at the city owned public places I go I still dress nice but not as nice. Most days I'm coming from work so it's acceptable attire for just about anything. I do wear the dreaded cargo shorts from time to time but my cargo shorts are nice Adidas rugby gear.

[NM Golf]

As the OP of the other thread on this basic issue I don't think cargos are all that bad although I certainly wouldn't wear them on a golf course. Tee shirts on the other hand look like crap and I wouldn't be caught dead. One thing about cargo shorts is I think they are too hot to play golf in, at least around here. My nice golf shorts are much cooler, I don't need to sweat my a$$ off.

[newtogolf]

I wear cargo shorts to other courses and like them but my home course doesn't allow cargo shorts.  Here is there dress code which is enforced by the starter.

Gentlemen:
Gentlemen shall wear full length trousers or Bermuda length shorts deemed appropriate for golf (i.e. tennis or hiking shorts are not permitted on golf course.) Denim jeans or dungarees of any style or color are not permitted on the golf course or practice areas, Shirts must have appropriate collars or mock turtle necks. Shirts must be tucked in trousers/shorts. If wearing a hat it must be worn facing forward.

Originally Posted by Tuflehundon

never played at a course that didn't allow cargo shorts. Even at nice country clubs. Although most require collared shirts for the men. I can't find khaki shorts that fit that aren't cargo shorts. Having huge legs and a fairly small waist makes them very hard to find without having them tailored. Even tour pros tend to wear shorts when not playing an official event. Every time I see them on the golf channel on any show other that a tourney, they are wearing shorts.

My biggest etiquette gripe is getting piss drunk on the course and acting like an idiot.

[pixel5]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

According to you, cargo shorts are "prefectly fine."  According to anybody with any class, you are wrong.

I bet you're just a fun guy to play with.

[Dave H]

Dress code for me is more about practicality. A nice pair of golf shorts and a good polo are much cooler and more flexible than cargoes and a t-shirt. Plus, I like the look of golf attire in general. That being said, if someone else wants to dress a certain way, and it's acceptable to the course, then I don't have a problem with it.

[JerryTimes]

If you're playing a private course, sure, dress appropriately.  If I'm at the local muni course and I'm playing $15-$20 for a round, I'll wear whatever.  I don't care what people wear, just as long as they are following the other rules and moving along.

[Golfaxis]

I think a dress code is good for the game and should be kept no matter what kind of course it is. Once people start dumbing down the dress code in golf it's the beginning of the end. Give people a hand and they will take your whole arm. Once precedence is set with mediocre and lax rules, it's extremely difficult going back to where they once were and then the game suffers. If allowed, the lack of a dress code (or the allowance of a very liberal dress code) will undoubtedly permeate other facets of the game.

[ghalfaire]

I didn't read 45 pages of comments but did read some.  If someone has already pointed this out I apologize.  But there isn't universal dress code for golf as best I know.  Each course has it own and that's great.  Certainly private clubs and privately owned public clubs are entitled to require whatever dress code they want.  Around here most municipal courses don't require collared shirts nor do they prohibit any type of shorts or pants as best I can tell.  In fact the local munis don't seem to have any dress code that I can discern, but I suppose they do.  I'll have to ask next time I play one.   My personal opinion is dress codes are good for golf and while I think some courses overdo it, courses that seem to have no restrictions bother me more.  I don't like getting paired with folks that have obscenities printed on their tee shirts and zero respect for the course, game, themselves or other players.  But it's America and I am a first amendment supporter so I just don't play courses where I don't agree with their policies.

[vo-man]

Although I choose to wear slacks, and have a couple of pair that are of very light weight and breathable fabric,

I'm okay with a nice pair of shorts on the course during summer heat.  Collared shirts, yes.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Golfaxis

I think a dress code is good for the game and should be kept no matter what kind of course it is. Once people start dumbing down the dress code in golf it's the beginning of the end. Give people a hand and they will take your whole arm. Once precedence is set with mediocre and lax rules, it's extremely difficult going back to where they once were and then the game suffers. If allowed, the lack of a dress code (or the allowance of a very liberal dress code) will undoubtedly permeate other facets of the game.

We should go back to coats & ties, for surely the golfing apocalypse is upon us!

[trackster]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

We should go back to coats & ties, for surely the golfing apocalypse is upon us!

Haha great suggestion.  Who made a law that Collard shirts look better than T-shirts. or golf shorts (what ever that means) look better than cargo shorts.  If I saw two people walk by me, one wearing a collard shirt and one wearing a t-shirt, I wouldn't think anything of either of them.  I feel some people like to think that they are better than someone because they dress nicer.  Golf has always been an eliteist sport, and with the results of this thread it is a shame that it doesn't look like that is  going to change.  Let your game do the talking, not what you wear.

[LBlack14]

Haha great suggestion.  Who made a law that Collard shirts look better than T-shirts. or golf shorts (what ever that means) look better than cargo shorts.  If I saw two people walk by me, one wearing a collard shirt and one wearing a t-shirt, I wouldn't think anything of either of them.  I feel some people like to think that they are better than someone because they dress nicer.  Golf has always been an eliteist sport, and with the results of this thread it is a shame that it doesn't look like that is  going to change.  Let your game do the talking, not what you wear.

+1 :beer: