Any golfer who has spent even a short amount of time with member clubs knows that golf has fairly clear, and perhaps slightly strict, rules. dress code – but, in recent years, many have questioned whether the more outdated elements should be left behind.
Our editor, Neil Tappin, was recently reprimanded for wearing the wrong golf sockswhich made him wonder if we should ditch dress codes altogether.
The golf dress code debate
I have made my position on this clear in a number of articles in the past. The idea that a person’s choice of clothing can somehow affect my gaming experience seems ridiculous to me.
After all, golf is supposed to be fun. I completely understand the argument about standards of conduct, but applying them in order to be high and mighty to teach others a lesson is way off the mark in my opinion.
It’s far more important to attract people to the game, make it easy (not difficult) for them to get involved, and encourage them to experience the game in an inclusive way, rather than seeking to immediately persecute them when they walk through the door.
This is an opinion shared by Anders Mankert, who recently received a medal from the King for services rendered to golflike his the golf club has no rules regarding the dress code, and when I visited earlier this year, I have to admit that everyone seemed to be having a great time.
I realize that my position on this topic will not be widely shared by all, so feel free to send me a comment at the bottom of this page if you would like to share your views, but from the comments on our previous article, it is clear that the camp is divided…
Relaxing the dress code doesn’t necessarily mean an influx of football jerseys and backwards caps.
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
A reader, named Jimmy Dean, said:
“I’m a jeans and T-shirt guy and I only have a few polo shirts. I have a few pants, but I’m much more comfortable in jeans.
“I play in a few “denim-less” classes and dress decently, but I don’t see how my John Daly pants are any better than a pair of clean Levi’s.
“My Jordan 9s also look much better with jeans than with my pants.
“Maybe not pajamas, cutoffs, or muscle shirts, but what’s wrong with clean, untorn jeans?”
Nick, another reader who commented on the article written by Secret Club Golfer, shared a similar sentiment:
“The problem in golf has never been that there is a dress code. It’s that the dress code has too often been ridiculous. When you control the length and color of people’s socks, you have long lost sight of the forest behind the trees.
“Why does a shirt need a collar? It doesn’t matter if a sweater has a hood? It’s not the presence of clothing standards that does not attract new participants. It’s unnecessary snobbery and unnecessary exclusivity.
He later added: “Golf doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to everyone who wants to play it.”
Many would like the golf dress code, well observed by Sam De’Ath, to remain in place
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
“Standards are essential”
However, the opposite view was also widely shared.
David Lenton said: “Standards are essential, discipline in life is necessary and respect for all is taught from a young age (or should be). Golf is about all three, so strict dress rules need to be reviewed every year.”
An account called “The Oldest Member” added: “Respect the game and dress appropriately. Golf doesn’t need idiots in shorts and drinking beer on the course.”
Although many comments took sides on one side or the other of the divide, Chris Fellows made an interesting suggestion to resolve the issue.
“Wear appropriate golf attire until dusk begins. After that, wear whatever you want.”
Perhaps a hybrid policy that focuses on traditional golf attire throughout the day, when club competitions take place, but then is more casual at dusk, would be the way to go.
This would allow beginners, casual golfers and those who wish to visit the club as guests to feel more comfortable with more freedom of choice in what they wear.
I don’t understand why people are still obsessed with whether a shirt is tucked in
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
Despite my opposition to strict dress codesthat I described earlier, I admit that I like to wear appropriate golf attire.
What I can’t support is imposing a sport that should be accessible to everyone by saying they have to go out and spend a lot of money on specific clothing because that creates a barrier to participation before they even walk in the door.
I like the idea of finding common ground on this, where we can be respectful of the traditions and history of the game without worrying unnecessarily about sock lengths, exposed collars, tucked-in shirts, and whether perfectly functional pants fit the bill perfectly.
As I said before, I’m sure you will have your own opinion on this topic, or you might want to respond to one of those described in the article above, so write to us in the comments box below.
