Dress Codes

[jetsknicks1]

I enjoy the dress code.  For me, there's just "something" about dressing for golf that I like. I've got a buddy who's a member of a local Moose Lodge that holds a scramble every year and even though it's always held at the same course, which has a dress code, at least a third of the people show up in jeans and a t-shirt. I'm not sure why that bothers me but it does.

[RayG]

Once and only once was I questioned about my outfit.. In FL, shortly after David Duval had won a tournament wearing one of those mock turtle type of shirts. You know, the high performance, wicking type of deal. I was wearing almost the exact model and brand that he was wearing as it happened. Now, the course wasn't exactly a pristine, top of the line golf experience being as it was less than $15 for 18 w/cart so I was bit taken aback when the counter guy said "You can't wear that T-shirt". I said it isn't a T-shirt, it's a golf shirt. He gave me a stinkeye look and said "well, if the starter okay's it..." 

Starter didn't even mention it and off I went.

 

[arturo28mx]

One of the things I like about golf is that it's a gentleman's game. I always thought gentlemen dress well (e,g, James Bond). Therefore I like dress codes. It's just a personal thing.

[TheGoose]

  On 7/21/2016 at 11:48 AM, DaveP043 said:

I've played at a few courses overseas that required over-the-calf length white socks to be worn with shorts.  

We have a similar dress code at my home club, shirts with a collar and sleeves (sleeveless is OK for women men), no jeans, no metal spikes.  Something like that is common at every private club I've been to.  Its not common at all at most of the public courses around here, although a few of the top end places may require something similar.  To be honest, I dress better for golf than I do for work.  

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I'm with you there. I work from home, so hardly get dressed for work. Only nice clothing i own these days are for the golf course.

[Elmer]

  On 7/21/2016 at 9:18 AM, paininthenuts said:

The course I am a member of does not have a dress code, however, I confess that I like them. I am playing it's sister course today, which does have a strict dress code. Soft spiked shoes, collared shirts which must be tucked in, tailored trousers or shorts. Shorts must be worn with white socks only. What is strange is that I hate golf snobbery, but I also hate chavy golfers.

 

What about you ?

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I have a feeling the course just never took down their "whites only" sign. When pressed about it they probably just said "we mean socks"!!!!!

[DeadMan]

I think anything beyond collared shirt and no jeans is excessive. I've played with plenty of golfers who are fun to be around and really good that also dress poorly to care about how someone dresses. That said, courses are obviously free to set whatever code they want. Just as I'm allowed to roll my eyes at their dress codes.

[Groucho Valentine]

As long as they are wearing a shirt and whatever footwear that isnt going to tear up greens, i could care less what people wear when they play golf. Its not like there is an official uniform or anything. A lot places have dress codes, and thats fine too. Its not like typical golf dress codes are all that difficult to follow. 

There was this one place i played in Rhode Island - i forget the name of it- that had some asinine rule that only black or brown leather belts may be worn. I was told to take off the native american patterned belt i was wearing that day. That kind of shit can take a short walk of a cliff. How ridiculous. It made my whole round uncomfortable because my shorts kept drooping. 

[MrDC]

I don't like it and can't see myself ever wanting to play a course that says I have to tuck my shirt in or wear tailored shorts, off the rack is just fine.

I think all golfers should wear athletic clothing, because it's a sport, dress right for the game, not to have a "look" that everyone agrees on, to me that makes the game a social thing, and I'm not there to be social.

Edited July 21, 2016 by MrDC

[DeadMan]

  On 7/21/2016 at 2:40 PM, Groucho Valentine said:

As long as they are wearing a shirt and whatever footwear that isnt going to tear up greens, i could care less what people wear when they play golf. Its not like there is an official uniform or anything. A lot places have dress codes, and thats fine too. Its not like typical golf dress codes are all that difficult to follow. 

There was this one place i played in Rhode Island - i forget the name of it- that had some asinine rule that only black or brown leather belts may be worn. I was told to take off the native american patterned belt i was wearing that day. That kind of shit can take a short walk of a cliff. How ridiculous. It made my whole round uncomfortable because my shorts kept drooping. 

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Really? How much less could you care?  (Sorry, pet peeve of mine)

I agree 100% with what you're saying though. General dress codes are no big deal, but don't be stodgy about it.

[Vinny Cap]

I don't mind the usual dress code, collared shirt and some nice shorts with soft spikes.  This is usually how I dress all summer.  Some of the rules in this thread are really dumb.  The belt one was the worst.

Usually if you check them out online, they have their dress code on the site so you should know what is expected of you.

All my dress/golf shirts are light weight and very breathable so I enjoy wearing them while golfing.  My shirt usually becomes un tucked from all the bending & stretching.... sorry clubhouse!

 

[jetsknicks1]

  On 7/21/2016 at 2:43 PM, MrDC said:

I don't like it and can't see myself ever wanting to play a course that says I have to tuck my shirt in or wear tailored shorts, off the rack is just fine.

I think all golfers should wear athletic clothing, because it's a sport, dress right for the game, not to have a "look" that everyone agrees on, to me that makes the game a social thing, and I'm not there to be social.

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I believe the tailored short reference just means no Jean or cargo shorts.

[Fairway_CY]

I'm in the camp that enjoys dressing nicely to be on the course.  I try to take pride in my appearance when I play because, well... I have very little pride in my ability to play the game.  

All that said... I could care less what anybody wears to the course.  If they're comfortable... let them play.  

The first time I ever played golf on a course, my dad took me to a 9 hole course a few towns over when I was 14.  It was essentially a town park that they had 'converted' to a golf course.  $12 to play as much golf as you wanted.  No real care for the course.  

We got to the course and were immediately told we couldn't play because my dads shorts were 1/4" above his knees.  My dad is 6'7" tall, so... it's not like there were a ton of shorts that were going to fall all the way to his knees.

We drove home, he put on pants, and we went back only to be told that because his shirt didn't have a collar, we couldn't play.  At that point, my dad told the woman that if we couldn't play, we wouldn't be coming back.  

Of course, I was upset because I was looking forward to getting out and playing.  The woman stood her ground.  As we were walking out, the owner of the course happened to be walking in and heard my dad grumbling about the rules.  

He allowed us to play and said that the next time we came back, he'd expect us to abide by their posted rules.  It was the first time since I was born that my dad had played... and courses didn't have websites yet to see what kind of dress code they had, so... it took him by surprise.

Since then... I've never shown up to a golf course without a collared shirt and proper length golf shorts.  I figure the golf clothes are as comfortable (if not more comfortable) than most of the stuff I wear around the house, so... it's easy for me.

CY

[kuyarey]

My Home Course (Overpeck Teaneck, NJ) has a supposedly "Strict" dress code policy... As I was walking from my car to the clubhouse to check in yesterday, I saw a guy in the four some on the 11th green putting wearing a tanktop... Don't know what that was about... or how he got away with it...

[Groucho Valentine]

  On 7/21/2016 at 2:53 PM, DeadMan said:

Really? How much less could you care?  (Sorry, pet peeve of mine)

I agree 100% with what you're saying though. General dress codes are no big deal, but don't be stodgy about it.

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Oh, a lot less. Like Lebowski levels of shits given. 

[rehmwa]

One thing though - as long as there are dress codes, I refuse to acknowledge golf as a "sport".  In sport, people dress for performance, not for socializing.

[Strandly]

All the courses I played at in Denver when I started seemed to want collared shirts so I went out and got some dri fit shirts with collars and some polyester/spandex golf shorts.  They're pretty relaxed in Idaho and people sometimes play in blue jeans and tank tops.  I roll out there in my outfit (shirt not even tucked in) people look at me like I'm a PGA player. 

Anyway, I don't mind a dress code but I'm probably not gonna go beyond the casual attire I currently have.

[Jeremie Boop]

  On 7/21/2016 at 3:17 PM, rehmwa said:

One thing though - as long as there are dress codes, I refuse to acknowledge golf as a "sport".  In sport, people dress for performance, not for socializing.

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While I can understand what you are saying, even other sports have dress codes or uniform codes, meaning the players have to wear specific things. However, those codes are typically more about wearing team gear and/or safety equipment so I can see why you don't view them as the same thing.

[Pete]

  On 7/21/2016 at 3:17 PM, rehmwa said:

One thing though - as long as there are dress codes, I refuse to acknowledge golf as a "sport".  In sport, people dress for performance, not for socializing.

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It's not unusual for sports to have a dress code. Soccer players are supposed to wear shirts tucked in and socks pulled up. NFL players are fined if their socks aren't up to the knee. Wimbledon has very strict dress code for example. So it is part and parcel of sport. I guess it all contributes to that particular sport's identity.

It's a bit like, turning up to a funeral in jeans and a t shirt doesn't mean you have less respect for the dead, but you just wouldn't do it.

But yeah, in the grand scheme of things, none of it really matters at all. We can simply put it down to one of those things we do as a humans. A little bit of order is more comfortable than total chaos. Even when it comes to how long your shorts are...