Opinion & Analysis

Impress by fixing these 4 golf fashion flaws

Published

8 years ago

Nov 22, 2018

Golf is hard. And yet, the goal should still be to impress. A quick way to impress is not by changing your scoring abilities but by changing the way you look.

I know, I know, looks are still something that most of you say you couldn’t care less about. Hear me out on this one though, because it is much easier to impress with your looks than it is with your golf game. Trust me, I have worked on my golf game since I was eight, and I coached people on their golf games for years: It is much easier to change looks than your game itself.

Start with these four flaws in your golf fashion game.

Jeans are not the issue

Your favorite jeans with holes in them that don’t fit correctly are the problem. According to a survey done by Golf Digest, over two-thirds of the golf facilities in the United States now allow jeans. As mainstream style becomes a bigger deal in golf, the trend of jeans being involved will continue to grow. Just like everything else that is stylish, though, there is a time and place for everything. Your jeans with holes in them are not the ones that should be worn on the golf course.

Here are some tips for jeans on the golf course

Jeans should be fitted to your body style (not super tight but not baggy either)
Proper length jeans should not hide your shoes
Jeans should be dark or a little faded
Look for lighter weight jeans that have some flex to them

Wear a collared shirt, for crying out loud!

…and now I have officially earned some shanks from the readers. Some of you will point out that Tiger has been wearing a blade shirt. A few things about that, technically that is a collar, Tiger is fit, makes more money then most anyone, and, well, he is Tiger Woods.

Remember this article is about how to impress with your looks while playing golf with others. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a t-shirt, or dare I say a cut-off shirt, in the proper setting, but the golf course is not the proper setting for a non-collared shirt! A collared shirt is going to bring attention up to your neck and face area — and away from the gut.

Get rid of the old ski jacket and learn how to layer

With the weather starting to cool down, this is the year to learn the proper way to layer up so that you stay warm and dry.

First things first: A large coat or a normal jacket is normally not designed for the golf swing. By learning how to layer properly, you will be able to stay warm and dry without wearing something that looks like you are ready to hit the slopes. Layering will also help you look slimmer and impress those around you. Here is a quick “how to” for layering in the cold weather

Base layer: This layer is for wicking moisture away from the body. Long underwear will do the trick as it is designed to soak up moisture keeping you dry.
Middle layer: This layer is for retaining body heat. A nice polyester fleece or synthetic athletic light jacket are designed to be light and hold in the heat.
Outer layer: If needed, this layer is to keep you protected from the rain or wind. A heavy polyester based soft shell will help block the wind and keep you warm while a more costly waterproof shell.

Lastly, respect where you are playing

There are many facilities out there that have a strict dress code of what they expect in the clubhouse and on the golf course. Many places still do not allow denim, and even more of these facilities require you to wear a collared shirt. The worst thing I have seen from golfers who are playing somewhere they have never been is not being respectful of the dress code, or worse, complaining about it. Facilities have different cultures they like to maintain, so be prepared if you are visiting a really nice place to wear a sport coat in the club house. The goal of this article is to show you how to impress, not to look completely out of place.

Hope you enjoyed. As always, play well and look great doing it, or just look great and no one will pay attention to how you play.

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Bryan Montgomery

Known as a golf junkie among his friends and family, Bryan Montgomery's passion for this game started at a young age which has blossomed into what is now a 10 year career in the golf industry. Part of the second class to graduate from Eastern Kentucky Universities PGA Golf Management program he has since worked as an assistant golf professional, customer service manager, director of club fitting and merchandise sales, and fitting specialist for Mizuno. Recently he started his own brand, Form Golf which currently focuses on the style and equipment in the golf industry. As a writer for GolfWRX Bryan's primary focus is on style in the golf industry and helping the readers become the best looking member among their group of friends. Please feel free to reach out to Bryan through Twitter or Instagram. Enjoy!

30 Comments

Sean

Nov 24, 2018 at 12:18 pm

Here at my club, we allow jeans and non-collared shirts. Honestly, as long as your shirt has sleeves and doesn’t have anything obscene or inappropriate, you’re fine for us.

While clubs hold up to their policies and traditions, (if they are open to the public) there should be a little variance for general public. Not everyone has 4-pocket slacks and a nice polo. Some people literally have never played or been to a course so they may not have typical golf attire. Why spoil a first or new experience for someone by making them feel that they don’t belong?

Reply Report comment
Daniel Forbes

Nov 24, 2018 at 4:38 am

Lets worry about the arrogant, self righteous golf clubs that still dont allow women to play, rather than stupid trivial crap as attire. Many golf clubs cant afford to turn away every man and his dog just because they r in jeans or a t shirt..

Reply Report comment
Daniel Forbes

Nov 24, 2018 at 4:36 am

Lets worry about the arrogant, up their own arse golf clubs that still dont allow women to play, rather than stupid trivial crap as attire. Many golf clubs cant afford to turn away every man and his dog just because they r in jeans or a t shirt..

Reply Report comment
Daniel Forbes

Nov 24, 2018 at 4:31 am

Please… attire is the least of our problems when there are still arrogant, up their own arses golf clubs that wont allow women.. stupid old pricks that run these clubs need to get over themselves, once they fix that then worry about trivial things like what people wear.

Reply Report comment
Mike Barnard

Nov 24, 2018 at 4:06 am

It’s weird, I think I look ok in my standard golf kit ( my club rules are arrive and leave in jacket collar and tie, draconian but that’s the rule) but strangely now when I see folk off of the course wearing golf gear it looks really bad, logos everywhere , compression fit showing all the lumps and bumps, and just plain stupid looking.
Time to perhaps just wear less uncool clothes, the game is not attracting new players, looking like a jerk somehow doesn’t appeal…. why is that?

Reply Report comment
Dave r

Nov 23, 2018 at 9:44 pm

Really. Golf shops short on business these days. But I agree dress code is a dress code. And jeans should never be worn on any golf course. RESPECT !

Reply Report comment
Johnny Penso

Nov 23, 2018 at 12:55 pm

Out of respect for the game and it’s traditions, I’ve always dressed appropriately. Golf shirts, clean pants, no jeans, proper golf shoes etc. In an era when it’s ok to wear your pyjamas to the mall I’m sure I come across as a dinosaur to some of the younger kids but I was raised in a different era.

Reply Report comment
- Ray
  
  Nov 23, 2018 at 12:58 pm
  
  Agree 100%.
  
  And I Make ZERO apologizes…
  
  Reply Report comment
Ray

Nov 23, 2018 at 12:30 pm

Within reason, Id let people wear what they like.
The MUCH bigger issue is people getting a clue on the RULES, including slow play.

If people respected that rule, and applied just a shade of common sense, we would all be better off.

Reply Report comment
Chsag

Nov 23, 2018 at 12:07 pm

When you get older you realize how much of a scam fashion really is. With pants alone I have seen cuffed pants be fashionable then they were out and no cuffs were the only acceptable pants to wear. Then cuffs were back in and … 10 years later back out again and basically repeat about every 10 years. This generation seems particularly susceptible to fashion statements. I really could not care less about what is deemed fashionable today and wear what I like. And yes, when it gets chilly out I will most certainly wear jeans with a turtleneck and a thermal jacket or sweater.

Reply Report comment
- Ray
  
  Nov 23, 2018 at 12:25 pm
  
  Try reading his last tip again.
  Sounds like you might be part of the problem if you ask me.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Chisag
    
    Nov 23, 2018 at 12:40 pm
    
    LOL … I play to a + index and I don’t think there is a “problem” with fashion, because I pay no attention to it.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Ray
      
      Nov 23, 2018 at 12:45 pm
      
      Oops,A bit sensitive are we?
      
      Your handicap has clearly no bearing on my comment, but the fact its the first thing you said tells me a lot about how insecure you are.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - James
        
        Nov 23, 2018 at 1:01 pm
        
        I think Ray’s onto something here.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - Daniel Forbes
        
        Nov 24, 2018 at 4:27 am
        
        Ok, so saying you are a “+” handicap makes you more important than a 36 marker… arrogance at its best.
        
        Reply Report comment
    - James
      
      Nov 23, 2018 at 1:03 pm
      
      If you played for the Boston Red Sox would you wear jeans and a tee shirt?
      
      Reply Report comment
Joe Perez

Nov 23, 2018 at 11:55 am

I like to “dress up” for golf. It’s part of the “psych-job” I do on myself to get the endorphins flowing in the brain before the round, increasing the anticipation of playing even more.

Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Nov 23, 2018 at 12:24 am

No jeans for me. But I don’t care what you wear. I also don’t care what you say, do, or how you play. None of it, even slow play, has anything to do with me.

Now, those slow players in the group ahead of us….they better be wearing Kevlar to protect them from flying urethane….

Reply Report comment
- Ray
  
  Nov 23, 2018 at 12:27 pm
  
  You would care what was said around you if your children were sitting in the cart listening to the usual male BS bravado.
  Way to go leading by example…
  
  Reply Report comment
coops

Nov 22, 2018 at 8:42 pm

Expect complaints about jeans/denim… but apparently a white belt looks just fabulous.

¯\_(?)_/¯

Reply Report comment
Johnny Taylor

Nov 22, 2018 at 6:15 pm

No jeans of any kind ever should be allowed on a golf course. And I’m being totally serious.

Reply Report comment
- Jamie
  
  Nov 22, 2018 at 8:21 pm
  
  Golf is losing players fast enough already. Thanks for your help.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - James
    
    Nov 22, 2018 at 8:28 pm
    
    Jeans are not a good fit for golf other than looking shoddy. In warm weather they are thick and hold in the heat. If your legs perspire a bit then jeans cling. I will go to the range in jeans, but never on the course. A guy can always look shoddy on the range if he hits the ball well. 🙂
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Johnny Taylor
    
    Nov 22, 2018 at 9:34 pm
    
    Golf isn’t losing players because they can’t wear jeans.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Ray
  
  Nov 23, 2018 at 12:28 pm
  
  OK, so why not?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Morty T Fox
  
  Nov 23, 2018 at 1:07 pm
  
  Jeans have pockets, and pockets have money.
  
  Reply Report comment
James

Nov 22, 2018 at 5:51 pm

What’s wrong with torn jeans and a slightly soiled tee shirt at the Club 19 Restaurant in the Pebble Beach clubhouse? I thought that was the best way to be civilized and sip a good single-malt scotch.

Reply Report comment
SV

Nov 22, 2018 at 5:29 pm

Jeans with holes should only be worn to work in the yard/garden or work on your car.

Reply Report comment
Riz

Nov 22, 2018 at 11:54 am

On that last point…
Lest we forget the Letchworth Golf Club black sock fiasco.
Read the dress code before you go!!
And don’t whinge on social media if you dont check and are turned away.

Reply Report comment
- James
  
  Nov 22, 2018 at 5:44 pm
  
  … or have to buy a collared shirt in the pro shop for $120.
  
  Reply Report comment

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