Few topics in the club world elicit as much debate as dress codes, especially with golf trying to promote inclusivity and market itself as an appealing option for youngsters who need little excuse to look elsewhere.
The World Handicap System, slow play and the cost of golf are the obvious contenders for the ‘most-discussed topic’ winner, but dress codes is definitely in the conversation (excuse the pun).
It’s a tricky one, because while most people recognise the need for evolution and modernisation, history, traditions and idiosyncrasies help to give golf its identity. Acknowledging the former while respecting the latter is a difficult balancing act.
Some golf clubs and facilities have eschewed tradition when it comes to dress codes, though, and it’s a movement that’s seemingly gaining more and more traction.
As examples, The Bristol Golf Club removed its dress code last year and GM Top 50 Coach Anders Mankert’s Leicester Golf Centre encourages patrons to wear whatever they want.
Even if you disagree, there is logic to it. Golf is undoubtedly seen as stuffy and stuck in its ways and doing something to dispel that notion creates a point of difference and a promotional narrative. And, whether you like it or not, fashion tastes have shifted and youngsters don’t like being told what to wear.
We do’t have to go back to the days of plus-fours and long socks
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Last year, Golf Monthly ran a junior golf survey and one of the key findings related to fashion and clothing. One of the questions was: ‘Do you think non-golf-playing friends would give golf a go if they could wear what they wanted on the course?’ Some 26 juniors answered ‘yes’ or ‘strong yes’, so it’s clear dress codes do present a barrier to participation.
“People think golf is really uncool, mainly due to the clothes you have to wear,” said one reply. “All my friends at school think it’s weird that you have to wear a shirt and smart trousers and hats aren’t allowed in the clubhouse. They say golf is for old people,” read another.
Golf has a habit of not paying youngsters much attention, so in many ways it’s pleasing to see some clubs making an effort to understand modern tastes and act accordingly.
A couple of weeks ago, GM editor…
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