Dress Codes: Good or Bad for the Game?

[David in FL]

5 hours ago, limbo said:

This completely disregards the young (or not so young) people who could become golfers. Changes are not made for those playing now. We're already happy as. And will continue to wear the gear most comfortable to play in. I think the rules should be changed to remove the barrier of entry. The rigid rules on dress seem archaic to the younger generation. Self expression in the game will bring better golf, more character and more courses and more revenue

These standards have been around forever, and we all still took up the game.

Those of the current generation that want to play, will continue to do so.  Those that don’t, won’t.  And golf will be just fine without them.

[Bonvivant]

12 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Great post, but it begs the question: Should you tuck in your shirt on the golf course?  Or is that a topic for another thread?

I just untuck after the turn, once it's hot an my game has gone south. Usually between hole 10.5 and 12.5

[RussUK]

11 hours ago, limbo said:

This completely disregards the young (or not so young) people who could become golfers. Changes are not made for those playing now. We're already happy as. And will continue to wear the gear most comfortable to play in. I think the rules should be changed to remove the barrier of entry. The rigid rules on dress seem archaic to the younger generation. Self expression in the game will bring better golf, more character and more courses and more revenue

The young players today can express themselves in the game while following dress codes. Look at the stuff they can wear. Golf shoes that look like Nike Air Max trainers, bling belts, flat peaked baseball hats (they're the fashion or so i'm told) bright coloured shirts and pants.

Hell, some of the young guys i see at the course look more trendy in golf attire then they do in their £100 ripped jeans with their undies showing. The manufactures are coming out with golf gear that looks the bizz while still respecting the dress codes

FWIW, i played the local par 3 on Sunday and wore jeans and a hoody (always wear golf shoes though) but if i'm on the main course it's always golf gear even though the dress code is relaxed at that course.

[boogielicious]

On 9/10/2019 at 8:13 PM, Double Mocha Man said:

Equal Rights Amendment.  You can dress however you darn well please.  You absolutely have the right to look ridiculous in the setting of your choice.

OT: This amendment to the US Constitution has not passed the required amount of states approval FYI. They are 2 states short.

Let's tone down the responses in this thread. I think you've made your point.

[mcanadiens]

Just my very unscientific opinion, but I don't think dress code even ranks in the the top ten reasons why younger people aren't playing golf.

There really are some very basic barriers that keep people from even trying the game. Expense and the overall difficulty of golf are at the top of the list. Honestly, I think that a lot of non-golfers almost need a friend to drag them out the first time (the way a friend of mine did to me). I was deathly afraid of all the dumb things I'd do on the course, whether I'd be able to even keep a ball in play and the likelihood of getting kicked off the property. It took that experience to realize everyone does dumb things, balls get lost and almost nobody gets kicked off the course. Minus that experience, it would have been easy to decide that golf is not a game for them.

Asking someone to wear a collared shirt is the very least of it.

 

[boogielicious]

6 minutes ago, mcanadiens said:

Just my very unscientific opinion, but I don't think dress code even ranks in the the top ten reasons why younger people aren't playing golf.

There really are some very basic barriers that keep people from even trying the game. Expense and the overall difficulty of golf are at the top of the list. Honestly, I think that a lot of non-golfers almost need a friend to drag them out the first time (the way a friend of mine did to me). I was deathly afraid of all the dumb things I'd do on the course, whether I'd be able to even keep a ball in play and the likelihood of getting kicked off the property. It took that experience to realize everyone does dumb things, balls get lost and almost nobody gets kicked off the course. Minus that experience, it would have been easy to decide that golf is not a game for them.

Asking someone to wear a collared shirt is the very least of it.

 

Agree. My son and his friends play, but time is the biggest factor. They are all in their 20s and work schedules make it harder. He has no problem wearing an inexpensive collared polo.

[NM Golf]

On 9/11/2019 at 6:52 AM, amished said:

I don't equate respect for people that I know and like well enough to celebrate a once in a lifetime (hopefully) event to a regular leisure occurrence.  But if you do, I'm glad.  

And I also don't wear a golf shirt and shorts to a funeral. Part of the reason I wear golf attire, is it's way better to play golf in. My golf shirts and shorts out perform a cotton tee shirt and cargo shorts any day of the week they are way more comfortable, especially in the desert heat.

23 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Great post, but it begs the question: Should you tuck in your shirt on the golf course?  Or is that a topic for another thread?

I always tuck, if for no other reason than it keeps my fat gut from peaking out. No one wants to see that.

[TRUCKER]

9 hours ago, NM Golf said:

And I also don't wear a golf shirt and shorts to a funeral. Part of the reason I wear golf attire, is it's way better to play golf in. My golf shirts and shorts out perform a cotton tee shirt and cargo shorts any day of the week they are way more comfortable, especially in the desert heat.

I always tuck, if for no other reason than it keeps my fat gut from peaking out. No one wants to see that.

Every time I see someone with their shirt untucked, it's because they have a fat gut and are trying to hide it by NOT tucking in the shirt...🤷‍♀️

[Double Mocha Man]

2 minutes ago, TRUCKER said:

Every time I see someone with their shirt untucked, it's because they have a fat gut and are trying to hide it by NOT tucking in the shirt...🤷‍♀️

And, more often than not, it enhances it.

[dennyjones]

3 minutes ago, TRUCKER said:

Every time I see someone with their shirt untucked, it's because they have a fat gut and are trying to hide it by NOT tucking in the shirt...🤷‍♀️

Two of the guys in my foursome don't tuck in their shirt unless as directed.   Both are very athletic and fit.   Your sample size is probably pretty small

[Double Mocha Man]

Most people call me skinny/thin.  On the range I sometimes don't tuck my shirt in.  On the course that's a different situation.

[NM Golf]

13 hours ago, TRUCKER said:

Every time I see someone with their shirt untucked, it's because they have a fat gut and are trying to hide it by NOT tucking in the shirt...🤷‍♀️

Yeah thats a bad look!

[rehmwa]

2 minutes ago, NM Golf said:

" Every time I see someone with their shirt untucked, it's because they have a fat gut and are trying to hide it by NOT tucking in the shirt "

Yeah thats a bad look!

someday, we can hope they realize - it's not the shirt that's the problem

[TRUCKER]

On 9/11/2019 at 8:54 PM, Bonvivant said:

I just untuck after the turn, once it's hot an my game has gone south. Usually between hole 10.5 and 12.5

BTW...Over 100 players at USKIDS tournament yesterday and all the kids and the parents/caddies were all dressed to the nines in golf clothes. So your theory is hogwash. All those kids love showing off there individual style. Its pretty cool to see.

[Bonvivant]

9 hours ago, TRUCKER said:

BTW...Over 100 players at USKIDS tournament yesterday and all the kids and the parents/caddies were all dressed to the nines in golf clothes. So your theory is hogwash. All those kids love showing off there individual style. Its pretty cool to see.

It's a golf tournament, not a course. Not even comparable to everyday play.

[Vinsk]

Amazing how long this thread has stretched. I just can’t imagine being asked to wear a shirt with a collar and no jeans is any infringement on anything worth resisting. A course wants its patrons to wear a collar. Big deal. 

[rehmwa]

10 hours ago, Vinsk said:

Amazing how long this thread has stretched. I just can’t imagine being asked to wear a shirt with a collar and no jeans is any infringement on anything worth resisting. A course wants its patrons to wear a collar. Big deal. 

I doubt a single poster in this thread has any issue being asked to dress to an expectation.  The difference is being 'asked' vs 'told' - you guys keep putting forth arguments that don't even come close to addressing that fundamental part.  A more minor aspect is the attitude/presentation about the 'telling' that shines through (a limited number of posters, not all of course).  (All odd, of course as the topic of the thread is whether it's good or bad for the game, not should or shouldn't there be codes in the first place)

Good points made that can be used to convince someone to do it on their own.  As such, these are all moot points, though.

As noted - I'll gladly follow a dress code at a private club.  I expect the patrons and staff to be very polite about it (as I would about anything).  I don't see it as good nor bad for the game, just a thing they prefer in their club.  It's no big deal unless someone makes it so.

[iacas]

2 hours ago, rehmwa said:

I doubt a single poster in this thread has any issue being asked to dress to an expectation.  The difference is being 'asked' vs 'told' - you guys keep putting forth arguments that don't even come close to addressing that fundamental part.  A more minor aspect is the attitude/presentation about the 'telling' that shines through (a limited number of posters, not all of course).  (All odd, of course as the topic of the thread is whether it's good or bad for the game, not should or shouldn't there be codes in the first place)

Huh?

Places have a dress code. Who is "asking" versus "telling"?

If someone is rude in "telling" instead of "asking" that's not the "fault" of the dress code. That's a customer service issue, or a personality issue, or something like that.

So what are you talking about, exactly?