What to Wear for Golf: Upping Your Style Game 

Golf is full of rules and traditions, which make it easy to have fashion missteps. It’s all about striking that sweet spot between modern style and time-honored tradition, much like playing on the legendary greens of Augusta. 

Dress codes can vary widely based on where you’re playing. Gym shorts and sneakers might be overlooked at your local driving range or TopGolf, but they won’t cut it if you hit the links at a private country club. In the world of golf, your attire speaks volumes.

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We’re here to guide you through the dos and don’ts of golf fashion. This article will break down what to wear when golfing, but first, it’s important to have the fundamentals correct. Let’s get your golf attire fundamentals up to par.

General Advice | What to Wear Golfing for Women

Let’s face it, ladies: when you’re golfing with a dress, you can be put in precarious positions from windy weather to bending down to get your ball.  So, it’s essential for women to find golf clothing that is both practical and stylish.  You’ll want to avoid purchasing clothes that show off more than you bargained for. Clothing that’s too tight is undoubtedly not ideal for hitting the ball, but at the same time, you want to be stylish and have form-fitting clothes that fit you well.

Proper golf outfits for women typically focus on length, style, and material.  For example, shorts, pants, skirts, and dresses are all considered proper golf attire at the right length. Collared shirts are considered the standard for ladies with long, short, or sleeveless options. More on this later, as we break down each piece of clothing below. 

Women in golf tend to accessorize like we do everyday with jewelry, watches, golf hats, and sunglasses.  However, the items you wear should stay in place, and not detract from your golf swing.  So you’ll want to skip big hoop earrings and similar items that would just get in the way when playing golf.

Traditional Golf Clothing for Men

While men don’t have to worry about showing too much skin on the course, there are other factors to consider.  No one wants to be the butt of a joke – so skip being called out and fit right in. 

Men should avoid loud patterns that are distracting to other players on the course.  You’re not playing the role of Happy Gilmore. Skip jerseys and Hawaiian shirts, and think of more traditional polo shirts. Either long or short-sleeved collared shirts.  

Some would even say to avoid loud colors in general, but it is generally fine in moderation. This means that you would want to pair your bright red shirt with neutral colored trousers like black or khaki pants. 

Like the ladies, the clothes should fit you well, with no shirt tails hanging out.  So, pair this golf outfit with a nice belt and shoes.  Accessorize with a watch, sunglasses, or golf hat to dress it up a bit.

Now that we have covered the basics for men and women golfers, next we will cover each article of clothing so you can get your wardrobe up to par.  

Golf Shirt

Collared shirts are considered the standard with long short, mid-length, or sleeveless options. The decision on which to wear truly depends on which climate you’re living in. In cooler areas cotton is generally a better choice. However, if you live in warmer regions, a synthetic material will help with sweat and keep you cooler longer.

Another critical factor is sun exposure. You’ll be on the course for approximately 4 hours, if you’re playing 18 holes. So you’ll want to consider how much sunlight you want to get. Harsh weather conditions may cause you to burn so you’ll want the breathable, longer sleeve sun shirt. However, these days, you can purchase arm sleeves separately and keep them in your golf bag. While they are not as stylish, they are a good back up plan if you need to get some quick relief from too much direct sun rays.

Golf Shirt Mistakes to Avoid:

• No tank tops or midriffs 
• No T-shirts or jerseys
• No inappropriate sayings or off-color language

Golfing Pants, Skorts, Dresses, or Shorts – Which to Wear?

When it comes to deciding between slacks or shorts, the option is totally yours. Like we mentioned earlier, drawstring or gym shorts are not something that would be acceptable at the typical semi-private or private golf course.

While white pants tend to give a clean look, it’s best suited for inside the clubhouse unless you’re a seasoned golfer.  You’ll find the turf, dirt, and weather conditions can ruin the picture-perfect outfit. 

When it comes to ladies golf shorts or dresses, they can be a variety of lengths from short to long. To avoid the critical glances from the season golfers, you’ll want to go no shorter than a 4-inch inseam. It’s roughly the length of your fingertips when your hands are held against your side. Additionally, when wearing a dress or skirt, it should have built-in undergarments to avoid too much exposure while playing.

• Super short dresses or skorts
• Yoga or sweat pants 
• Skip the short dresses or skirts; you’ll just be pulling them down everytime you swing
• Don’t wear drawstring shorts, baggy cargo pants, or gym pants – you’re not headed to workout 

Jackets, Windbreakers, & Vests | Winter Golf Wear

Many golfers continue playing golf in the winter, especially in the warmer regions. Jackets, sweaters, and vests are all commonly used by golfers.  It’s best if the coat or sweater fits you well to avoid the frumpy look. To be stylish in winter clothing, you’ll want to go with the layers that coordinate together with similar colors. You’ll find that the temperature will change over the course of several hours, so you may be too hot if you don’t layer.

In recent years, one of the more popular items that golfers like to wear in the winter is a heated vest. These vests offer additional warmth with less weight on your arms providing greater mobility than bulkier jackets when hitting the ball.

 What to Avoid in Winter Golf Wear:

• Denim jackets
• Ripped or torn jackets
• Hoodies

Golf Shoes & Socks

When it comes to golf shoes, you have a couple of options, either spiked or spikeless.  Both are excellent choices, depending on your reasoning for picking them since there are a couple key differences.

Spiked Golf Shoes: Metal or Plastic

In the 1980s, everyone played with metal spiked golf shoes. But these days, you’ll find that most golfers don’t use them unless you’re on the PGA Tour. And even on the Tour, roughly 20% of the pros such as Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas actually wear them. Metal cleats can do far more damage to the greens, however they are known for greater lower body stability especially in wet conditions.

Thanks to the younger generation, you’ll fit right in with plastic cleats or spikeless golf shoes. Designed for stability as well, their superior grip ensures a secure footing during each swing, making them a reliable choice for challenging courses. 

You never want to wear spiked shoes inside the clubhouse. You may get a look or two if you try! The spikes can cause damage to flooring or furniture, so you’ll want to be sure to bring an extra pair of shoes with you.

Spikeless Golf Shoes

On the other hand, Spikeless golf shoes are a stylish and practical choice for the modern golfer. They offer more comfort, thanks to their lightweight design. Ideal for those who prefer walking the course, these shoes provide more practicality for the average golfer. Their soft soles offer a plush feel underfoot, making them a preferred option for extended play on the greens. However, it’s important to note that while they excel in comfort and style, spikeless shoes might fall short in providing the same level of traction as their spiked counterparts, especially on slippery terrains. If you’re just starting out, spikeless golf shoes would be an excellent choice.

Socks

When it comes to golf socks, a traditional rule of thumb is that they should match your golf slacks—lighter-colored shorts or pants with lighter-colored socks, and vice versa. If you have black pants, they should be partnered with darker socks. 

What to Avoid in Golf Socks & Shoes:

• No flip flops 
• Leave the tennis shoes at home
• Steel spiked shoes are unnecessary; you’re better off with plastic spikes or spikeless shoes
• If you want to fit in, don’t wear knee-high socks like Payne Stewart

Golf Accessories: Hats, Sunglasses, Bags, & More

Golf Hat

Dressing the part, which includes a golf hat, has always been part of the game. A golf hat no doubt provides sun protection from brutal weather conditions, but it is also a fashion statement. You’ll see the golf pros wear baseball caps or visors with their sponsor’s name across them. Similarly, amateur golfers usually pick hats with logos of their favorite golf brands like Titleist, Ping, TaylorMade, and Callaway. 

Typical golf hats are baseball caps, visors, bucket hats, or wider brim golf hats for enhanced sun protection.  Ladies tend to use golf visors or baseball caps.

So if you’re looking for the most versatile option, a bucket hat or baseball cap tend to be ideal choices since they can work in varied weather conditions and can easily fit into your golf bag.  

Back in the day, the King of Golf, Arnold Palmer would say that hats are never to be worn inside the clubhouse at Bayhill Country Club. And he had no trouble pointing it out to anybody, including Gary Player when he forgot to remove his cap. The no hat in the clubhouse rule continues to this day at many of the more traditional golf clubs like Pebble Beach. Additionally, wearing your hat backwards on and off the course is considered inappropriate.

What to Avoid with Your Golf Hat:

• No backward baseball caps on or off the course
• No denim hats
• Hats are better left in your car after a round of golf

Sunglasses

Sunglasses like golf hats need to be functional as well as stylish.  They should be fitted to your face to reduce the sun’s glare and ideally boost your performance with enhanced contrasts to hit the ball better. You may find it easier to play without sunglasses in certain climates with reduced visibility.

Golf Glove

Unless you’re one of the few golfers like Fred Couples, you’ll find a golf glove an essential part of your golf outfit.  Golf gloves are worn on the non-dominant hand and help protect it from calluses.  The golf glove is particularly handy for keeping the club in place in rainy weather or humid conditions when it can more easily slip out of your hands. 

Golf gloves are typically white in color, but you can purchase them in black or various patterns. Best practice is a solid color that matches your golf outfit. 

Carry-All Bag 

Golf lends itself to multiple accessories, from golf tees, balls, rangefinders, golf shoes, gloves, etc. You’ll want a place to put all your stuff.  Golf bags usually have plenty of storage for the weekend warrior. Some even have built-in coolers to keep your drinks cold.   

If you’re a beginner just starting out, you may not need an extra bag to lug around.  However, most golfers find the extra storage helpful, especially if you belong to a country club and play golf regularly.  You can take your carry-all upstairs to the clubhouse to change your clothes, and your more traditional items can stay in your golf bag.  

What to Wear to the Clubhouse

Country clubs are a place where relationships are built. Golf has been the most common sport played by American Presidents from George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump. George W. Bush was famously known for mixing business and pleasure. 

He once was stated on the tee box:

“I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you. Now watch this drive.”

You don’t have to be a President or even a golfer to enjoy the benefits of a country club.  In fact, social memberships are just as popular at private country clubs.  You can relax at the spa or pool, eat delicious food, play pickleball or tennis, and make friends who share similar interests.

So, if you’re not a golfer, don’t worry. You’ll still fit right in if you follow these tips.

General Golf Outfit Tips to Fit In for Non-Golfers 

You can take pretty much any business outfit and add some pizazz to it.  For example, dress pants or a dress would certainly work. Just make sure it’s ironed and looks crisp. 

You can wear skorts or shorts at most clubhouses as long as you follow the basic rules that apply on the golf course. As we mentioned earlier, no baggy cargo pants, jeans, or anything that implies casual wear.

Next, accessorize it with a blazer, cardigan, etc., and add some nice dress shoes and jewelry to the mix. Don’t feel you need to overdo it, think Jackie-O! A touch of class goes a long way. Baseball caps and other hats are better off left in your car. You wouldn’t have seen Jackie wearing a baseball cap to a Whitehouse dinner back in the day. Therefore, casual wear has no place inside the country club.

Don’t forget that golf courses have pro shops if you need a last-minute fix to your outfit. They usually carry polo shirts, trousers, and other country club attire and most often it’s monogrammed with the country club’s logo on it. Nothing like wearing local merch to fit right in!

 To summarize, here’s a few essential tips to fit in amongst golfers:

• Limit your clothing to one pattern or bright pop of color.
• Coordinate your outfit to match from your hat, belt, and golf shoes. 
• Pants or shorts with belt loops should have a belt.
• Socks should complement the shoe color. No white socks with black shoes, for example. 
• Neutral colors tend to be a great choice for accessories (i.e. hat, shoes, belt), so you can use them with various outfits and not break the bank doing it.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to what to wear in golf, you can’t go wrong leaning into traditional styles like polo shirts. However, don’t be afraid to accessorize or add a pop of color to your golf outfit to show some personality. Dress in a way that feels true to you and boosts your self confidence. 

Most importantly, remember that it’s all about enjoying the game of golf and not dwelling on others’ opinions. As long as you’re clued in on the basics—club rules, etiquette, and a bit of golf jargon to sprinkle into the conversation, you’ll fit right in. After you’ve gotten these down, you’re all set to hit the links and potentially make some lasting connections. While country clubs might have a reputation for being a bit exclusive, you’ll often find the golf community is a friendly group. Don’t be put off by a few frosty encounters; there’s a group for every golfer, and in time, you’ll find your place among friends who share your newfound love for the game.

Erin Wells Blakely

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Erin Blakely is an amateur golfer, bringing over 35 years of practical knowledge to the sport. As the founder and editor ofSenior Golf Source, she focuses on the specific needs of senior golfers. Her professional background includes roles as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Social Worker, providing her with a deep understanding of healthy aging. Erin's expertise is recognized through her published work with established platforms like Healthline, Yahoo, US News & World Report, and Yahoo, where she contributes valuable insights on health, travel, or golf.

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