Golf has a dress code, and that means you're only supposed to wear certain clothes to play golf. That means ditching the yoga pants and the hoodie. It means no T-shirts and jeans.
However, the clothes golfers are supposed to wear on the golf course has changed over the years, evolving from what amounts to a full suit with some knickers to a much more relaxed dress code.
Acceptable golf attire is slightly different for men and for women, so we've separated what you should wear accordingly.
So, what clothes and attire are you expected to wear on the golf course?
Acceptable golf course attire for men
- Shirt: A golf shirt with a collar, typically called a polo shirt or a collared shirt, buttoned up so as not to expose the chest.
- Sweater: When weather might compel a second layer, sweaters are preferred for keeping warm over sweatshirts, particularly hooded sweatshirts
- Pants or shorts: Golfers are expected to wear slacks or shorts, but typically not jeans (though some facilities are fine with this).
- Golf shoes and socks: Golfers are typically expected to wear specialized golf shoes (with spikes or hybrid shoes) or tennis shoes, complete with socks that can range from ankle to shin height
- Hats: Baseball caps and visors are typically fine at most golf courses, with beanies and winter caps fine when conditions might require them
Acceptable golf course attire for women
- Shirt: A golf shirt with a collar, typically called a polo shirt or a collared shirt, is fine, as are sleeveless shirts made for golf that typically have a collar
- Pants, shorts, skirts or skorts: Golfers are expected to wear slacks or shorts, but typically not jeans (though some facilities are fine with this), and women can wear skirts or skorts of pretty much any length. Anything too short or tight is sometimes frowned upon at certain facilities, and wearing a long dress or skirt typically isn't functional.
- Golf shoes and socks: Golfers are typically expected to wear specialized golf shoes (with spikes or hybrid shoes) or tennis shoes, complete with socks that can range from ankle to shin height
- Hats: Baseball caps and visors are typically fine at most golf courses, with beanies and winter caps fine when conditions might require them
Every facility and club is different. Some will require you to wear pants, or that you can't have cargo shorts. Some dictate the length of skirts. Most ban golf shoes with hard, metal spikes. Some hold fast that gentlemen must wear a collared shirt (no henleys, for example). Check with where you're playing if there's some question about what golf attire is allowed.
