Has golf fashion gone too far?

For generations, the golf course was a place of traditions and rules, not a place of expression. Muted colours, strictly collared shirts and smart shoes, the list can be quite extensive. But in recent years the rules have been stripped back, massively, and the question begs to be asked, is golf fashion now going too far? 

In what I would consider an outright fact, the development of golf fashion over the past few years has been a refreshing change. It's given golf a different outlook upon itself and made the game more accessible for younger people looking to try something out. That is a good thing. But there have been times through this revolution where the boundaries may have been pushed just a tad too far.  

Somewhere along the way golf clothing has taken somewhat of a headline slot. Gimmicky polos with all sorts of colours vomited across them are certain to divide opinion. I wouldn't wear one, but I certainly admire the courage of those that would.  

Hoodies entered the golf course and were a massive hit. Clothing will always divide opinion, but the invention of the golf hoodie seemed to sit well with a lot of golfers - somewhat surprisingly.   

Are Golf Clothes Too Expensive?

In my opinion, yes, unfortunately. When I play my local municipal I often see some pretty lazy attempts to abide to the general dress code in golf, but when you see the prices on some of the latest fashion releases these days, I can’t argue with them. I have completely resorted to buying any golf clothes second hand from Vinted or Depop.  

Whether you should be allowed on the course or not in "unproper golf attire" is an entirely different question, and for a different person to answer as well. Ultimately, if the course allows, then there's not a whole lot you can say.  

I personally have a real soft spot for traditional, yet modern, golfing attire. Smart and simple polos, a sporty quarter zip and basic trousers, that is my bread and butter right there. You'll never see me push the boat out much further, but I will never fall short of those standards either.  

Some golfers will argue day and night that you shouldn't be allowed on the golf course without the correct clothing, and there are still golf courses who do enforce strict dress code rules. However, the enforcement of these rules has become drastically rarer in the past decade. That could be for a number of reasons, as many golf courses simply can’t afford to turn people away at the door. Other courses might want to be presented as relaxed and laidback on topics like dress code, wishing to be attractive to beginners.  

It is also worth noting that many courses that still enforce dress code rules could come across as outdated and exclusionary. I've never seen someone not allowed on the course because their shorts weren't within an inch of the correct length, but I have heard stories.  

Certain golfers will bring in the ethos of golf and what the game stands for when you have this debate with them. Arguing that dress codes matters in golf because of the respectful nature of the game, and if you can wear whatever you like, what makes golf special? I can understand this argument, and I think there's a decent point in there, but it doesn't quite sell me anything. 

The challenge here is balance, finding the right mix of traditional golf clothing, that still feels modern and fashionable in today's age.  

Do Tour Pros Get it Right? 

Yes, absolutely they do. Should we base our golf wardrobes on what they wear? That is a subjective question to say the least. I'm sure there are golfers out there that sit in front of the tele outraged at the outfits on display. And there's also certain to be people out there that would like to see more expressive outfits on the PGA Tour.  

Certain brands are more thoughtful with their clothing designs. I'd like to give a special nod to Ludvig Aberg and Adidas here. Whenever I find time to watch some live golf, Aberg is consistently one of the best dressed on the course. Maybe there's bias in there, maybe there isn't. But Adidas Golf definitely get things right, quite often, in my mind.

Just because the pros wear what they wear, doesn't mean we have to as well, however. Keep in mind, they are playing at the highest level of golf possible, on the most prestigious courses in the world. There are reasons why they wear what they wear. Do we need to have specific outfits for our twilight nine holes at the local muni? Not at all.  

Has Golf Fashion Gone Too Far?

So, has golf fashion gone too far? No, but it is flirting with the boundary. The vast majority of golf fashion we see today is the best we have seen in a long time. It's modern, yet traditional. Fashionable, yet smart. Creative, but respectful. And ultimately, it's unrestrictive of performance. There are a few minor cases where the boundaries certainly get crossed in the eyes of many, but that could just be where the game is headed - maybe Ian Poulter was truly ahead of his time.  

The occasion where you find yourself offended over what someone is wearing on the course, I say live and let live. The course has let them on, so what does it matter to you. It certainly isn't worth the headache you'll cause yourself for the rest of your round! 

Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography