Shorts On the PGA Tour (Updated 2013, 2016)

[zipazoid]

Absolutely yes.

[Golfingdad]

I don't care that much, but I'm going to vote no.

When you see them playing in some silly made for TV event or on a TGC segment at their home course, or any other situation where you see a professional golfer wearing shorts, they look, well, less professional.

I don't have any other reason, I don't have any better explanation, but I just think they look more professional in long pants.

[caniac6]

Yes. Let them be comfortable.

[tmac20]

In weather above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 Celsius), they should be allowed shorts, with exception to the 4 majors.

[David in FL]

I'm gonna say no, but for no reason other than pure jealousy. They're playing golf for millions of dollars. A little discomfort only seems fair! :-P

[zipazoid]

Do shorts look "less professional" than pants? I dunno. That's a judgement call in the eye of the beholder.

But is that what's this is about? Looking professional? If so, someone put a decent pair of pants on John Daly. Please.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

Do shorts look "less professional" than pants? I dunno. That's a judgement call in the eye of the beholder.

But is that what's this is about? Looking professional? If so, someone put a decent pair of pants on John Daly. Please.

No shorts don't look less professional ... it's the bare legs that look less professional.  And I completely agree about John Daly.  Any pro wearing shorts is still going to look more professional than him and his loudmouth gear.

But at least they are loudmouth pants, and not loudmouth shorts.

If these are my choices ...

In my opinion, 'A' is clearly the most "professional" looking, and I doubt many would dispute the tackiness of 'D.'  The classier look between 'B' and 'C' is a little more up in the air, and I can see people arguing both sides.  I actually prefer the pants (although I did choose one of the more 'subtle' options from the loudmouth catalog - most of them would lose to the TM shorts) but both are fine to me.

Like I prefaced my first post ... I really don't care that much, but I like the pants look better.

[newtogolf]

Most professional golfers are endorsed by companies that offer apparel and would not be pleased if their pro's looked "unprofessional" (besides Daly).  I doubt we'd see any pro in poor fitting, wrinkled cargo shorts and a t-shirt if the dress codes were relaxed.

I'd rather see a professional (doctor, lawyer) wearing tailored shorts and a well fitting polo shirt than a suit that doesn't fit or is wrinkled.   I see people in business all the time that think business casual means just having long pants and collared shirt and pay no attention to how the clothes look on them.

This season I've only worn long pants and even in warm weather I was surprised at how comfortable I was.  I'm not sure the extra 15" of material is going to make a big difference in hotter temps but if I was playing golf for $1M+ I'd deal with it if I had to.

[bplewis24]

Allowing them to wear shorts would go a long way to detract from the folks who refuse to call golf a "sport." Just sayin'.

I would normally say yes, but my argument against it would be that a lot of these guys would look less athletic if we saw them in shorts.  I saw Tiger in shorts during a instructional show he did with Anthony Kim and it ruined my image of him.  And I don't even wanna know what Kevin Stadler's legs look like.

Plus, then we'd have to listen to Feherty and Maltbie doing analysis of Ricky Fowler and Ian Poulter's sock selection.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

This season I've only worn long pants and even in warm weather I was surprised at how comfortable I was.  I'm not sure the extra 15" of material is going to make a big difference in hotter temps but if I was playing golf for $1M+ I'd deal with it if I had to.

Yup.  I don't wear pants all the time, but have noticed that with the better moisture wicking materials, it's not at all uncomfortable, even in warmer weather.  Heck, it might even be cooler for your legs because they are in the shade. ;)

Even if they did change the rules, I wouldn't be surprised to see most of them wearing pants all the time anyway.

[Spyder]

Shorts, 100% yes. I only wear pants when it is below 50°. I'm also not a traditionalist who thinks we should be out there in thick, uncomfortable cotton polos either. I enjoy my Adidas golf shorts made from high quality, modern, athletic materials and my Under Armour moisture-wicking polos. Some people just can't let go and evolve with the times apparently.

[Beachcomber]

Some things are better off left alone.  I don't want to see Bubba's white hairy chicken legs.

[Fourputt]

Well, since I spend my whole life now wearing shorts (or swim trunks which double as shorts), I'm all for it.  Those who say that Tiger looks odd in shorts, that's only because you aren't used to seeing him in them.  It's really not much different from anyone else who you only see in a work relationship, especially when the job requires some some sort of distinctive apparel or uniform.  You run into him at the golf course in shorts and you have trouble placing him.  There is nothing inherently professional or unprofessional about shorts on the golf course.  If they had been allowed to wear them all along, we'd think nothing of it.

And I agree with a few of the above comments in reference to things like the Loudmouth atrocities which some players litter the course with.  Just about anything is better than that.

[Stretch]

I'm for it generally. But y'all just wait until the Euros start showing up in the 5" inseams!

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Stretch

I'm for it generally. But y'all just wait until the Euros start showing up in the 5" inseams!

LOL... So true!

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Well, since I spend my whole life now wearing shorts (or swim trunks which double as shorts), I'm all for it.  Those who say that Tiger looks odd in shorts, that's only because you aren't used to seeing him in them.  It's really not much different from anyone else who you only see in a work relationship, especially when the job requires some some sort of distinctive apparel or uniform.  You run into him at the golf course in shorts and you have trouble placing him.  There is nothing inherently professional or unprofessional about shorts on the golf course.  If they had been allowed to wear them all along, we'd think nothing of it.

And I agree with a few of the above comments in reference to things like the Loudmouth atrocities which some players litter the course with.  Just about anything is better than that.

You could say that (the bold) about any and every profession, could you not?  The reason why it's professional to wear a suit and tie as a lawyer is because that's what we've come to accept and expect.

So, because of that, I think you could argue that there IS something inherently professional about pants on the golf course ... precisely because they've always worn them.

[MacDutch]

No!

The mere mental image of Carl Pettersson in shorts makes me shiver . I just awoke out of a sweaty nightmare thanks to you Eric.

[Spyder]

This all day and twice on Sunday:

Definitely NOT this though:

Yes, all of you golfers who ever have worn, or do wear Jorts... STOP it.