My motto is that you have to look good to play good.
If you need proof of this, just look at the 82-time champion Tiger Woods. The guy never looks bad and has the best winning percentages in the history of the game.
Coincidence? Maybe, but looking good brings more confidence.
Confidence can ultimately help you play better golf. Don’t get me wrong, looking good isn’t everything but it sure can help. And if you do play bad, at least you look good doing it.
One thing about golf that frustrates newcomers is the dress code. While the governing bodies of the game have loosened up from strict dress codes, they still want players to have a professional appearance. Not to mention, many golf courses have strict rules of what to wear and what not to wear.
But not all golf courses are the same and continue to evolve as the sport becomes more popular. Keep reading to learn about golf dress codes when you’re playing golf.
Golf Dress Code – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get dressed and head to the course, it’s a good idea to check the dress code ahead of time. Every golf club has a dress code of some sort and there’s nothing worse than showing up with the wrong attire.
We’ll help you find the right attire for your next round so you look good and blend in with the crowd. But before doing so, let’s dive into golfers attire and the history behind it since it doesn’t really exist with most other spots.
History of Golf Attire
I’m pretty sure some of the old time golfers would be rolling in their graves right now if they saw how golfers dress on the course. If you see any old footage of golf in the early 1900s, the attire was vastly different from today. No loudmouth pants, hoodies, or mock collars. If you wore those items, you wouldn’t have even made it to the first tee.
In the past, players would wear trousers, button down shirts, ties, and a different type of hat. But as you can imagine, the attire has loosened up over the years and is much less formal. As the game continues to expand its global footprint and attract new golfers, the days of a collared button down shirt with a tie are long gone.
Golf Course Dress Code for PGA & LPGA Players
Now that you know a little bit about how much times have changed with fashion on the course, let’s talk about what the pros wear. The good news is that you don’t have to dress like a PGA or LPGA Tour player at most local golf clubs.
PGA Tour players are pretty standard and are required to wear pants and a collared shirt. A hat is optional, but almost everyone wears one and they usually add a vest, jacket, or sweater in colder climates.
In the last few years, they’ve added a provision that allows them to wear shorts too, but only in practice rounds. Since they tend to play in the best weather throughout the year, this is a nice benefit for the guys because it’s very hot and muggy in some areas. But they still can’t wear shorts in formal rounds that take place Thursday-Sunday.
The LPGA Tour has very different rules for their competitors.
Professional women golfers often wear pants, skirts, or golf shorts. But they are not allowed to wear leggings, racer back tops, and short skirts. They may wear designer caps or visors to protect them from the sun as well.
Proper Golf Attire For Male Golfers
So what do male golfers wear on the golf course?
Being the gender who doesn’t care about style nearly as much as the other, it’s pretty simple for guys. Men wear a collared shirt and pants or shorts. But some clubs don’t even require collared shirts anymore and it really depends on where you’re playing.
In general though, you can’t go wrong with a polo shirt and golf shorts or pants. Most courses will allow you to tee it up any day of the week.
Some golf courses do require long pants, but that is usually only at fancy, more exclusive private clubs. Needless to say, if a buddy invites you out to his private course, make sure to double-check with him on dress code beforehand.
Collared shirts have somewhat progressed and include a traditional polo, mock collar, and a casual collar. You should also tuck your shirt in and have a belt as well to complete the outfit.
It’s also a good idea to wear golf shoes with or without spikes as well. Regular tennis shoes are not recommended and sometimes not allowed at the facility.
You can wear golf socks or regular ankle length socks. In general, you want to avoid high socks if you’re wearing golf shorts as it doesn’t look great. But I strongly recommend that you always wear socks to avoid a blister as well.
Finally, don’t forget about golf hats either. Men typically wear baseball caps, straw hats, or bucket hats that match the rest of their golf outfit. Most clubs allow you to wear them into the restaurant too, but some have a strict rule about no hats in the dining rooms (usually old-school, fancy golf courses).
Depending on the weather, you might have turtleneck tops, a wind shirt, sweater, and other gear to stay warm. Vests over a polo shirt are also acceptable and a favorite with players in the early spring when it’s brisk in the mornings.
Golf Dress Code – What Not to Wear
So what should men generally not wear on the golf course? Many golf clubs do not allow:
- Sandals.
- Tee shirts.
- Cut off shirts.
- Rugby shirts.
- Cut off jeans.
- Cowboy hats.
- Denim jackets.
- Running shoes.
- Basketball shorts.
- Shoes with metal spikes.
- Large, bulky cargo shorts.
- Tank tops or sleeveless shirts.
- Blue jeans but depends on the golf course.
Avoiding this apparel should help you look good on any golf course.
Before you make the mistake of showing up in jean shorts, go here to see our favorite golf clothing brands.
Proper Golf Attire For Lady Golfers
So what do female golfers wear?
The golf dress code for ladies differs greatly from what is acceptable for men to wear on the links. Women golfers tend to wear polos as well but may or may not have sleeves.
They usually wear blouses, pants, capris, skorts, or shorts. Some courses do require shorts or golf skirts (skorts) to be a specific length as well so it’s always a good idea to check ahead of time.
Seriously, one time I was playing when a member complained about someone and the head pro came out to measure her shorts. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but hopefully that’s in the past.
Women now wear a lot of athletic wear as well including yoga pants and sportswear as tops. Polos are not always required for women and also depends on the course as well.
Golf Dress Code – What Not to Wear
So what should women generally avoid wearing on the golf course?
- T-shirts.
- Flip-flops.
- Sun dresses.
- Street shoes.
- Cut off shirts.
- Short shorts/skorts.
- Shoes with metal spikes.
- Super tight-fitting clothing
- Shirts that reveal the midsection.
Remember, each course dress code is different so it’s always good to look on their website or call ahead.
Go here for a much more comprehensive discussion no what women should wear to golf.
FAQs About Golf Attire for Men and Women
Do you have more questions about what to wear (and not wear) on the golf course?
If so, we have answers for you in the frequently asked questions section below.
Do all golf courses have dress codes?
Most golf courses do have dress codes. Some are much more formal than other golf clubs and really depend on the type of golf course.
For example, private golf courses that are members only, tend to have very different rules vs. a public golf course. A private golf club won’t allow blue jeans and might require shorts or skirts as specific lengths.
But for public golf courses, they might allow jeans and have no requirement for skirts or shorts. If it’s a really relaxed club, they might not even have a dress code at all and allow pretty much anything.
It’s always important to check with the golf club ahead of time. That way you don’t have an awkward first encounter with the course and possibly have to buy new attire from them. Not only is it a tough start to the day, apparel at nicer courses are marked up a ton!
Does a mock collar count as a collared shirt?
In the past few years I’ve noticed that mock collared shirts are making a comeback (just in time for Tiger Woods). Mock collared shirts do count as a collared shirt, despite not having a collar, and caused a stir when Tiger wore his in the early 2000s.
The iconic red mock collar shirt helped him win some big championships, but there were plenty of skeptics when he first wore it. Now, guys like Brooks Koepka and others are bringing this fashion sense back on the golf course.
Do you have to wear golf shoes?
At many clubs, it’s required to wear golf shoes instead of everyday casual or athletic shoes. Not only does it look more professional, it also makes the game so much easier.
Shoes that were designed for the game make it easier to swing by allowing your lower body to stay still. Whether you have spikes or spikeless shoes, they still get much more traction than normal shoes. This allows you to swing faster and with more confidence because you know you won’t slip out during your swing.
Not to mention, there are tons of options available. To help you navigate the shoe world, make sure to check out our guide here.
Are hoodies allowed on the golf course?
This is a good question because hoodies are officially on the Tour at this point. Players like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and others are wearing them during official tournaments. But just because they are wearing them doesn’t mean everyone is a fan.
A lot of people including the media and old school golfers don’t like seeing them on the tour. A lot of them still live in the old days when that type of attire was frowned upon. But if the guys on the PGA Tour are wearing them and companies like Nike are making them, why not rock them?
The only thing with hoodies for me is to make sure it doesn’t affect your swing. That’s why it’s important to buy golf specific hoodies as they are thinner and made for golf. Other hoodies are heavier and might get in the way during your swing.
What should I wear to the driving range?
It depends on the driving range. If it’s an establishment that is just a driving range and not a golf course, the dress code is usually much more casual. You might even be able to wear a t- shirt on sunny days but it just depends on the dress regulations.
If you go to a course, I would suggest wearing normal golf attire with soft spikes on your shoes.
Final Thoughts on Golfer’s Attire
While golf fashion isn’t what it once was on the links, the sport still does require specific golf clothing. The founders of the game still want players to have a professional image and maintain the integrity of the game.
For men, stick with full sleeve shirts, knee-length shorts or athletic pants, and golf shoes are perfectly acceptable. For women, a polo style shirt (with or without collar), golf dresses or pants or shorts, and you’ll be good.
At most courses, men and women should avoid t-shirts, athletic shoes, tank tops and in general, not wear jeans. If you aren’t sure, always make sure to check out the website or call ahead to avoid any awkward situations in the clubhouse.
Finally, to learn more about golf etiquette click here.
