Yep, I've pretty much become my father. What? your'e wearing that?? In my day we NEVER wore anything like that - EVER!
Now that I've passed the big 50 I hate the flat bill hats, tennis shoes masquerading as golf shoes, and colors so loud they don't exist in nature.
But know what? These impertinent kids are helping to keep my green fees down and courses open so as long as you don't hold me up or laugh too loud at my golf shoes that look like dress shoes and khaki shorts (no black socks yet) I'm fine.
Hey you kids get off my lawn!

I agree with you and that is one reason I joined a private club that has a dress code. The dress code where I play is basically no denim and collard shirts although there are some shirts that are mock turtle neck styles that are acceptable. I have always thought golf was a gentlemen's game and if you play it you should look nice. This may sound a little harsh to some but I really don't won't to play on a course where there are players in ripped tee shirts and wife beaters playing bare footed are wearing flip flops. Our culture is getting more casual which is fine but their is still a line in my opinion on acceptable clothing that is worn by golfers. If you like playing in a tee shirt that has some crude comment written on it or maybe no shirt at all or playing in a bathing suit, go play at a muni or a course that allows this type of attire but I will gladly play those courses that enforce a dress code as the golf experience encompasses more than just writing down a number on a score card. I do think that shorts should be allowed on the PGA tour.

You are so right. Most of the golfers at my club play golf in tee shirts and it looks terrible. They all think it is funny when they see me in a collared shirt and slacks. Where is the pride in our sport??

In college I worked part time at a golf course. Mostly in the summer so I could play and practice for free, but I remember when Tiger and David Duval started to wear the mock turtle neck shirts. The country club I worked at had a strict no denim and collared shirt policy. NO EXCEPTIONS. We weren't allowed to practice putting during the golf season without having proper golf attire on. The head pro walked into the proshop and I was hanging up the new Tiger swoosh shirts. He stood behind me, as I hung the mock turtle necks. I'll never forget it, he said those are the beginning of the end to collared shirts. I laughed at the time and thought he was just an old school kind of Pro. Slowly but surely we saw more and more members wearing those shirts. It was kind of the first Dry-Fit shirt. Most Country Clubs that I have played at still adhere to the collared shirt policy, but the public courses are becoming very laxed in their attire policies. I guess I am old school too! I like a dress code. I don't mind the loud colors and new sporty styles, but collared shirts are part of the game of golf!

Blame the economy and decline of golf.. Courses can't afford to turn people away as sad as it may be. Believe me, I play Torrey on the regular and seeing jeans on the course just irks me!

Exactly. Hey, people used to wear suits to church on Sunday too. Now they show up in shorts and tees. Guess if it is good for God it is good for golf.

I agree with the way a lot of golfers dress with no etiquette. Luckily there are those of us that have pride in our golf and play the game the way it was meant to be and look sharp also!!

How are we going to grow the game if everybody has to fit a dress code? For someone who is young, not crazy interested in golf, and who maybe is thinking about starting a game, does a certain set of clothes you have to wear to play the game sound appealing? I think not. As long you follow the rules and be respectful, wear whatever you would like!

Davis

clothing styles are ever changing. golf attire specifically has always been a little different. Jack and Arnie certainly wore some bright colors... for me, if I had to choose between proper attire or good golf etiquette including pace of play and repairing ball marks, raking bunkers etc. then clothing is still superficial . that doesn't mean I don't want to have my cake and eat it too.

I am a traditionalist, through and through. This isn't basketball. Please, have some respect for this truly classic game. I am NOT an elitist. I just truly believe in the tradition, etiquette and integrity of the game and in those who take it seriously. It's what drew me to the game in the first place as a kid, and probably what drew me to Titleist.

(I wonder what the percentage is of wife-beater/jeans-type golfers playing modern Titleist clubs. Bet is is extremely small. Less than .001%. That would be considered an anomaly in my book.)

The word etiquette to me I guess refers to the way a golfer acts on the course. I.E. no talking in someones backstroke, no walking through someones putting line etc etc.

Dress to me has never been that important. I'm a minnesotan and collar shirts are heavy and hot. I prefer something lighter in the hot and humid months. White and thin.....like a t-shirt, however I have NEVER wore a "wife-beater" nor have I EVER seen one on a golf course...and I would never willingly golf with someone wearing one. I'm also blue collar and have that background...collard shirts just aren't a regular in our wardrobe....usually.

Agree David. Seems like attire and course behavior has gotten worse over the past few years on some public courses. I've also noticed that there are more beer cans laying around than there used to be as well. Not so noticeable on the private and upscale courses.

Its not just golf. When I was a kid, going to church required jacket and tie, not anymore. Going to work required jacket and tie, not anymore. Going to a good restaurant required dressing up, not anymore. Golf used to require collared shirts, Bermuda length shorts that were not denim, socks and golf shoes. Not anymore. Its not changes to golf, its changes to society.

I'm 26 years old, and in the past 5 years I've seen a big change, this is mainly down to moving to a different part of the country (united Kingdom) and a different set up of ownership at the course.

My old course I was playing with my brother when the secretary drove out in his buggy and politly asked my brother to tuck his shirt in or kindly leave, the AGM's were mandatory to attend if you played in part of a team or represented the club in any way Jacket and Tie was also mandatory. Presentation evenings where very much the same, I was raised to respect this dress code and due to this I will continue to respect that.

When I moved north, the respect for dress code changed, Jeans and Trainers were allowed in the club house, and for presentations people collected winnings wearing a tracksuit, I was singled out as being the posh boy wearing a nice suite to collect any winnings and I feel that my dress represented me respecting the game.

The course that I moved to was less than two minutes to my house so easy to get to, but they have a lot of societies every week, last year on two separate occations I asked players to please put back on there shirts, yes it was a hot day but rules are there to be met not broken.

I'm not a fan of the new style of golf clothing, but times change and so do fashions, I do own a few brightly coloured shirts and trousers but they are still acceptable styles.

I think sometimes you should have to make an effort and dress up, for me golf is that time, but each to there own. To me as long as I dress to the standard I feel acceptable I'm doing my bit...

I have to agree.. it bugs me when i see someone wearing jeans, t-shirts or whatever they pick out their closet to the course (which is rare for me).. But the golf industry is hurting as someone mentioned above so I'm sure some of the courses don't care what they wear, just want their business to stay open. Thankfully my course is very strict about that and will not allow it. What are ya gonna do though... Life goes on...

The only time i'll ever wear a t-shirt or "dress down" is when i'm on the range, that's it...

I grew up working at the local muni course where denim jeans were the norm, though a lot of people did wear collard shirts. Until last month, I've belonged to a private club for the past five years and now it seems weird to seeing someone wearing a pair of jeans to play golf in. I'm probably not the norm, but in the past few years my attire has taken on a certain "style" where I have probably six pairs of shorts (just bought 2 more FJ pair) and 30 polo shirts that I wear when I play. Think lavender shorts with a pink shirt and white belt. Not everyone's taste, but I enjoy it and it's fun. No matter what your age or demographic is, you should be respectful of your surroundings and dress appropriately.

There's different ways to view this.

I live in Stamford, CT where there are two public courses, one in "north stamford" and one located in "downtown stamford". I also belong to a private club, in White Plains, NY a good 25 minutes or so from my house.

My club is very strict on attire. I had a buddy show up one time wearing black cargo shorts. But it was like that new "cargo" short look, where you couldn't see if it was, but if you looked hard enough you couldn't see the outlining. The starter informed me and I told my buddy to just go pick a pair of shorts inside and I'll cover the tab. It's my fault, I should have warned him, though honestly, I didn't think his pair of shorts in particular fit the regular category of cargo shorts/pant. It's a funny story because all the club had in his size were these bright pair of seer-sucker shorts. Definitely a great picture.

Anyways, back to public courses, look it's becoming the norm. Do I expect guys to pay $100 fees and show up dressed in an outfit costing more than my car? No. North Stamford fees are 30 and Downtown Stamford fees are 12-15 dollars. Fashion rules don't really hold value. I've played with guys wearing jeans, I've played with guys wearing Zumba pants, I've played with guys wearing what they just wore to the gym. And a majority of these guys are some pretty talented golfers. They just don't the money to afford proper clothing, but as long as they get to play an enjoy what they are doing, then do you really care?

Look, go online, go to Golfsmith or something clothing apparel line. What's the starting price for a pair of shorts and shirt of a well-known apparel company. It's mind boggling that a "quality" golf clothing put together can cost more than your tee reservation/cart fee/mid round snack combined. I think sometimes we get lost of what's right and what's wrong and forget about what's can the average public golfer can afford.

If your expectation is to arrive to the course and everyone is dressed like they are playing in a tournament event, then either a. join or private clubs or b. play at public clubs where the fee just to play starts at $150-$200.

I used to let the idea of dressing proper bother me, but then I think about people I know who love the sport so much but had to quit it because it was too expensive. It was too expensive for them not only just to play, but to wear "proper" clothing. Is that fair?

I totally agree when you are playing golf you should be smartly dressed.
Why would you not ?

Jason you are taking this personal, I was just making an observation. Chill my friend, chill. With that said you are missing my point. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on an outfit. There are thrift stores that sell collared shirts / Polo's for $5-$10 dollars and pants or shorts for under that and they are in perfect condition and yes I see Mercedes BMW's ect. in the parking lots of these stores. It not about affording it ,some jeans cost $75-$100. It's about respecting the tradition.

Hahaha, Dave, I'm sorry!

I know you're clearly trying to make an observation, I was trying to just add to the observation...and sometimes I tend too involved. It's a bad habit.

(Don't get me started on whether or not a hot dog is a hot dog or a sandwich)

And I clearly understand where you are coming from in regards to respect tradition. And I agree that notion of respect has disappeared. And I don't want to say it's gone, I think it's just forgotten.

And to me, saving "sanctity" of this game in this case doesn't start with fashion, I think it starts by making the game more affordable to people to play so they get a better understanding and become knowledgeable about the history and legacy of the sport.

And for the record, a hot dog is a hot dog.

Jason , We ever cross paths I'll buy you a beer.

Hahaha, sounds good man. Ever in Fairfield County CT, shoot me a message!

JBernheimer32@gmail.com