Although it may sometimes seem like there are more rules in a golf-course dress code than colourful lines on a plaid sweater, here are a few tips to help ensure your look is par for the course.
You don’t have to own a closet full of “official” golf outfits to fit in on the links.
First, find out the club’s dress code. Phone the club or check its website, says Sandra Post, eight-time LPGA champion, golf instructor, and founder of the Sandra Post Golf School in Caledon, Ont.
Beyond that, these general tips can keep your golf attire choices out of the bunkers:
> Choose a collared shirt
T-shirts don’t cut, so look for basic collared shirts to wear when you head out to the course.
“I always call it the ‘safe uniform’,” says Post. A golf or tennis shirt with a collar and short sleeves is always acceptable.
> Stay away from denim and short shorts
Men, when choosing pants, pay attention to the material and length.
If you wear shorts, Post says, they should be Bermuda shorts, which are usually straight cut and to the knees, with no bulky external pockets. (That means no Charlie Sheen-style Cargo shorts.)
Long pants in general are always OK, as long as they are not jeans. Go with a pair of slacks.
> Don’t follow the pros, ladies
For women, it may not be best to use LPGA events as an example of appropriate golf attire.
Many professional women golfers wear short skirts, says Post. To be safe, skirts should be only a couple of inches above the knee.
> Bring on the plaid!
Don’t let the cliché about bright checks and tartan outfits on the golf course deter you. When it comes to plaid, anything goes.
Some lines of golf clothing are very bright with all kinds of checks and colours, says Post. There are no rules — written or unwritten — against going as loud and bright as you want. It just adds some colour to the game.
IE