Luke is an avid weekend-warrior golfer from the East Coast who plays golf more than he cares to admit.
Unlike what we have in mind for the average golfer, you do not have to be in boring and ill-fitting clothes to play a golf game.
Answer:
If you’re new to the sport, it’s unlikely that you’ve prepared your golf attire, but luckily for you, you can get by with what you already have in your closet.
So here are a few outfit suggestions for when you don’t have any golf clothes:
- A casual collared tee or a turtleneck with or without sleeves, weather permitting.
- Any long pants, shorts, skirts, or capris that feel comfy and are easy to wash. Make sure, however, that they are not denim, tight, and the other things we have already mentioned a bit earlier in this article.
- Underpants in which you are perfectly comfortable, and which will not cause irritation during the game.
- Leisure or athletic shoes with straps or shoelaces that provide excellent grip on the golf course. Even tennis shoes can work as they offer a great grip too.
- A pair of socks designed to keep your feet comfortable when you have your shoes on.
- Sunglasses, a baseball hat, as well as gloves to help shield yourself from the sunlight and prevent the development of blisters.
- Depending on the weather temperature, consider taking a light sweater with you as well.
While you are free to wear classic golf attire and head to the gold course, there are so many other things you can wear if you don’t have golf clothes that will still be suitable for the occasion.
In fact, it will probably come as a surprise to you the amount of freedom you have when it comes to how you can dress up for golf.
The clothes you are allowed to and should wear, however, are also determined by the location you will be playing golf at.
Championships, for instance, will have separate regulations and dress codes from a golf course for casual players.
This article will discuss certain basic guidelines that you should follow both inside and outside of the course when it comes to clothes, so keep reading below to learn more!
Why Are There Specific Attire Regulations On Golf Courses?
Golf was regarded as a game for the rich and powerful when it was initially played in Scotland in the 1700s.
The regulations developed at the time serve as the foundation for the modern game and are applied to this day, with the attire guidelines still existing for a reason.
What is that reason? The need to make sure that both novices and seasoned golf players would abide by the overall rules of this game.
So, starting from simple things like the clothes one should wear to play golf, people made sure that the tradition of golf and its rules would be followed by everyone and that everyone would respect them.
Despite the existence of certain general rules that all golf clubs and golf courses must comply with, there are many of them that have their own outfit standards and guidelines, so it is always best to consult with the golf club or course you are a member of or attend about this.
Do You Need Golf Clothes To Play Golf?
The answer to such a question is a ‘yes’ but also a ‘no’ answer.
Although it is advisable to dress up in golf clothes, because they are designed by taking into account the dress code regulations and have unique features that offer comfort and flexibility, you can replace them with normal clothes.
Despite the fact that there is a general agreement on what kind of clothes make up proper golf apparel, it is still beneficial to read the guides of the club you are part of for a thorough explanation of how you should be dressed for it.
In general, though, you will see things like chinos, slacks, as well as pleated skirts for women, together with collared polo shirts as a top.
Which Clothes Are Unsuitable For Golf?
Jeans, sweatpants, jogging pants, gym shorts or very wide-legged baggy sweatpants are very unsuitable for golf.
In addition to these types of bottoms, cuffed trousers, tight leggings, and very short skirts are also a big ‘no.’
Which Shoes Are Unsuitable For Golf?
Even though golf is not a sport that requires running or even walking at a fast pace – for some people, it doesn’t even require walking at all as they move with golf cars from one place to the next –, wearing shoes that are comfortable and safe is important.
Therefore, things like flip-flops, sandals, boots, or even espadrilles are not an option. The same goes for any pair of shoes with heels, or shoes with many laces.
In addition to that, any shoes that have metal spikes on them are also unsuitable for the golf course as they might damage its surface.
What To Wear To A Golf Lesson
If you are an enthusiastic golf learner about to take your first golf lesson, you should know that most of the time will be spent practicing on the course.
Therefore, you must wear proper golf attire and spend some money on buying the proper clothes.
However, if you are just trying to see if you will actually enjoy golf, then just wear the clothes and shoes we recommended above, and bring with you the necessary accessories too, like a cap and sunglasses, if needed.
The Bottom Line
Golf is a sport that many people enjoy playing, but to really enjoy it you need to do it the right way, and the most important thing to help you do that is to urge you to wear the right clothes.
However, even if you don’t have golf attire or don’t want to spend money on buying one just yet, open your closet and look for things you have that are on our list above to dress properly for your next play!
