Golf finds itself in an interesting epoch. Participation surged as a result of the Covid pandemic and numbers still look strong almost six years on. Play-and-play golf is on the rise, plenty of golf clubs have lengthy waiting lists and off-course participation – including golf simulators and Trackman-powered driving ranges – is booming.
Clearly, this is a good thing for the sport at a macro level, but the game still faces certain challenges. There are concerns in some quarters that golf is becoming too expensive and others feel it isn’t doing enough to appeal to the younger generation.
There has been plenty of discourse about golf’s place in modern society and how much adaptation is required, if any at all. Some people and clubs believe history and tradition must be preserved at all costs, while others have taken steps to modernise and bring the sport into the 21st century.
Article continues below
My colleague Eliott Heath recent wrote a piece about the six golfing customs he’d like to see scrapped in 2026, and while I agree with his points – and more broadly that evolution, to some degree, is required – I don’t think we should cast all traditions aside to get more people through the door.
Below, I’ve listed some elements of the sport I feel should never be compromised. This is purely my view and other members of the Golf Monthly team – as well as plenty of readers – will no doubt disagree, which is fine. Without further ado…
I don’t need to see tweet and plus fours, but golf absolutely should have a dress code
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Dress Codes
I agree with GM’s Secret Club Golfer in that we have to keep dress codes and maintain standards. I’m not saying dress codes shouldn’t evolve and the definition of what’s deemed acceptable golfing attire shouldn’t shift. I have no problem with loud, patterned clothing or hoodies, for example, but we need some sort of framework.
GM’s editor Neil Tappin is in favour of abandoning dress codes, and he’s perfectly entitled to his opinion, but this quote from the SCG sums up my feelings on the matter pretty perfectly: “I’m not sure we should be compromising standards to chase people who show no interest in respecting the game’s customs.”
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Latest from Golf Monthly…