Being new to golf can be a daunting proposition. There seems to be a lot to learn about hitting a small white ball but not only is there a golf dress code to navigate around. Some courses are still quite over the top in terms of what to wear and what not to wear, but there’s no reason why every golfer can’t find their own style to look good on the golf course.
Before delving into the many options of items and accessories to wear during a round of golf and then grab a drink afterwards at 19yHere’s a quick rundown of things to generally avoid when deciding what to wear.
What not to wear on the golf course
shirts: Casual crew neck shirts are not for golf. Moreover, there is a large selection of polo shirts (shirts with collars) that work really well. Also avoid soccer kits and rugby shirts – this is not golf.
shorts: No to the flowery shorts you might wear to the beach or long three-quarter length shorts. Again, no football or rugby shorts either. Women should not wear sundresses or short jeans.
the shoes: Great flip flops on the beach, but not on the golf course. In addition, try swinging with the stick on your feet and you can easily sprain your ankle. The same goes for sandals. And for women, we must not say that high heels are impractical and impermissible.
jeans: Obviously, jeans have become a lot smarter than the rugged style they were designed for, but overall, they remained unwelcoming on the golf course and weren’t comfortable to wear outdoors for long. Leave them at home.
jackets & jackets Coats: There are all kinds of jackets and coats out there nowadays, but for golf, stick to a waterproof jacket. They look good and most importantly they keep out the rain.
shoes: Nothing but a well-fitting pair of golf shoes should be avoided.
What do we wear on the golf course?
So now that we’ve left out a few items, it’s time to look at what to wear to golf. The golf apparel industry is huge with wide options, so you can easily dress yourself in golf apparel from head to toe. Whatever your color or style, there will be golf apparel to suit you. Whether you want to channel your inner John Daly with loud, bright colors or opt for a more subdued style, that’s fine, too. There will be something to suit your preferences. Here’s a look at your options for wearing them on the golf course.
polo shirts: It’s a golf course classic, and there’s a huge selection available in various brands, from budget straight to exclusive names.
There has been a move away from cotton polo shirts in recent years to polo shirts made of lightweight materials. These are specifically designed for golfers to wear outside in good weather for a few hours at a time. As a rule of thumb and certainly if you’re wearing pants, tuck your polo shirt into them.
Women can also wear sleeveless polo shirts as long as they have a collar.
pants: So, you can’t wear the jeans you wear every day on most golf courses, and after a while, most golfers will tell you they’re glad you didn’t wear them. Golf pants usually come in a softer material to be comfortable, but just enough to withstand any ups and downs of the weather.
Chinos are also a good and safe option, although contoured golf pants are better because they are designed for golf.
For women, shorts or golf pants are the best choice for what to wear on the course.
shorts: Great idea if the weather is fine! Just remember to wear shorts just above the knee, they usually look best when worn with a belt. A good pair of golf shorts can certainly be worn off the course as well.
Women can choose skirts, golf shorts or golf shorts. These are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Some clubs still require it to be worn below the knee, but in most places, it’s a matter of using common sense and not wearing ridiculously short shorts or shorts.
socks: Wear whatever you like with long pants. But traditionally, some clubs insisted on wearing long socks with shorts. Fortunately, this trend is fading but if you’re not sure, a pair of white gym socks should be just fine.
If you wear shorts, it would be a good idea to wear short ankle socks.
middle layers: Midlayer is an inclusive way of describing something that isn’t a jacket but is more substantial than a shirt, so here’s a guide to these different options.
sweaters Readers of a certain vintage movie might think of Ronnie Corbett sitting in his big chair wearing V-neck jumpers in The Two Ronnies years ago. These track jumpers are still seen, and depending on what idea they have, it can be very expensive! If you wear a golf jacket, make sure it fits well because a loose jumper gets in the way of your golf swing.
hoodies Once complete, there is now a range of special golf hoodies. But use common sense about this, if you think you’re going to be playing for a picky club, don’t wear it that day.
Gulf chest – Gilets can be a good choice in spring or summer if you’re playing on a nice day but need an extra layer of warmth. Golf vests are not as bulky as the jellies you might wear casually, as they give you the freedom needed to hit the ball.
mid layers – It could alternatively be described as a windproof top. It’s very thin but warm, and the long sleeves protect you from the cool breeze.
water: Any experienced golfer in the UK will tell you this is an essential set! Rain is inevitable when we play golf and we need waterproofs to keep us from getting wet.
Waterproof Insulators consist of a lightweight jacket and pants that you can slip on over your regular pants. The pants are perfect because the rain slips through them. Weight is important because you still need to be able to perform your swing without feeling like your clothes are holding you back.
shoes: A pair of studded shoes used to be a non-negotiable but times have changed. Metal spikes have been replaced with non-metallic spikes that cause less damage to the lawn. While there are now moccasins, which are preferred by many golf professionals and look very similar to trainers. Golf shoes work well because they are designed, knowing the golfer will be on their feet for up to five hours, so they combine being durable yet comfortable.
Hats, caps and masks: Most golfers have at least one of each lurking somewhere among their golf clothes. Of course, the weather determines what kind of hat to wear with berets and visors in summer and berets in winter. But with cover, always keep the crest facing the attackers.
What to wear in the club:
Much will depend on the club’s own rules and whether you’re having a sit-down meal or just a casual drink. If you’re going to dinner, it’s probably worth checking in advance what’s allowed.
If you just want a quick drink at the bar (or the Spike Bar as it’s often called), use common sense. Thornless shoes are perfectly fine but make sure they are clean of mud. No one wants to clean up mud or grass stains after you. The same goes for your clothes. If you’re into nails, maybe wear a casual pair of shoes instead, but not sneakers.
About the author
Adam Lanegan – Golf Writer
Adam is a freelance news and sports journalist who has written for the BBC, The Sunday Post, The Eye, The Times, The Telegraph and more. He has been writing about golf for nearly two decades and has covered 13 Open Championships and two Ryder Cups. Not only does Adam cover golf, he has been playing golf for as long as he can. He was a member of Northenden Golf Club for about 25 years until his children arrived and his last official handicap was 11, although on any given day his form fluctuates between eight and 18.