Golf fashion has been around nearly as long as the game.  Way back when the game began, it was Scottish men in kilts and furs.  Today it is men and women around the globe wearing the latest styles of useful and clever fashion that help them look great on the course.  Here are five tips to help you look and feel great on the course, whatever the UK weather throws at you.

Understand etiquette

Golf is quite a traditional game in some respects and like some tennis tournaments or cricket matches, there are certain rules of etiquette that apply when on the course.  Top of the list is the basics of what you should and shouldn’t wear when on a course anywhere in the world.

The basics of the golfer’s wardrobe are the polo shirt.  This is a staple of many sports and is a common leisure wear item as well.  These shirts come in a massive range of colours and patterns and are also very practical to wear on the course.  Modern golf clothing is breathable and moisture wicking, helping to regulate body temperature while on the course.

Golf bottoms are a little more varied between men and women.  Twill slacks are a common style for both and regular khaki pants are also worn.  Shorts are okay in warm weather although they are usually around knee length for the men, not too short.  There are even golfing skirts for the women.  Jeans are a no-go area for most courses but for a practical reason too – they don’t offer very good movement and so aren’t very practical.

Understand dress codes

As well as general rules of golf fashion etiquette, there are also individual course dress codes that you need to adhere to when playing on the course.  How strict the course is about their dress code is up to them – you might notice that big, televised tournaments see a lot more relaxed about dress code than your local club!

In general, rules around tops will state that they need to have a collar.  You can go for short or long sleeves, depending on the weather although long sleeve shirts can restrict movement when you are playing.  Collared shirts are sometimes okay for women but t-shirts, tube tops, halters or other types of top are normally not a good idea.

Some courses do allow denim and shorts, but they can be more of a problem when playing than anything.  Proper golf shorts are okay as long as they are a sensible length – check out what this is with their dress code.  Sweatpants, baggy shorts and cut offs are all usually against dress code.

Get clothes that help

Once you have covered the etiquette and dress code rules for what you want to wear, you can then start looking at how the clothes themselves can help you on the course.  Developments in materials and design mean that golf clothing is about more than fashion – they can help you with your game in lots of subtle ways.

For example, when you are choosing polo shirts, make sure you get the right fit.  You don’t want a shirt that is too large as baggy shirts not only look terrible but can also interfere with your swing.  All that extra material flapping around can slow down your swing speed and even change your angles slightly.  At the other end of things, don’t go too tight even if you have that sculpted body look – it looks a little strange on the course and too tight can be restrictive for your movement.

Golf shoes have become an industry in their own right.  Many brands make specialist golf does such as the Nike Lunar golf shoes that are different to the types of footwear designed for other sports.  The aim is to have spikes that help anchor you in place when playing but that doesn’t cause too much damage to the course itself.

Another big factor is getting clothes that help combat the weather.  We all know that here in the UK, the weather is unpredictable, to say the least.  That’s why weatherproof clothing is a good part of the golf clothing kit.  Specialist rainwear helps to keep you dry without interfering with your game.

Choose accessories wisely

One of the top ways to personalise your look is with accessories, but you also want things that are going to help your game as well.  A prime example of these is golfing gloves.  They might seem something that players wear but their aim is to help you grip the club better – hence the reason top players only wear one on the hand they use to grip the upper handle.

Sunglasses are another common addition to the golf wardrobe.  Sure, they look great and you can really get involved with a look you like.  But they also protect your eyes and help you see in sunny conditions.  A visor or hat can also work in the same way and protects the top of the head from the sun (when it does appear).

Enjoy colour

When you look at the top players, there is no shortage of colourful tops, bold patterns and funky trouser styles.  And while amateur players might be a little shy of all that colour and statement, there’s no reason not to enjoy colour in your golf wardrobe.  Do consider pairing bright colours with neutrals – so a bright blue top with navy trousers, for example.

Patterns are also common on the course.  Plaid, for example, is a tribute to the Scottish heritage of the game and comes in many different variations.  The general rule with patterns is to pair them with plain – don’t have plaid trousers and a striped shirt as it can be a bit of a mixture for the eye.  

While you have to listen to course rules, you can also be yourself with what you wear when golfing.  Don’t be afraid to wear your favourite colour or pattern, add quirky accessories that are also practical and even try some of less commonly seen but acceptable styles of golf wear.

 

** This is a collaborative post **