Ok, so here we go – my own personal rant and rail against some of the people who play this sport that I love and which has given me a great life. This has been a slow burn of a rant encompassing decades of staying mum, saying nowt and not wishing to upset anyone. No longer! Put it down to the soaring summer temperatures if you like, but really it’s more to do with the fact that I cannot believe the amount of time wasted and number of people upset by the ludicrous dress rules that litter the golf clubs around the country.
Why must golf be the preserve of those with a certain kind of wardrobe?
Let me point out that we do actually live in the 21st century so let’s scotch the “upholding tradition” nonsense. If we were, indeed, “upholding tradition” the women would be playing in long skirts and blouses with leg ‘o mutton sleeves and the men in plus fours and jackets. Sports clothing is much more technical nowadays, with a closer fit for freedom of movement and comfort. It is designed with you playing your sport in mind. But wait, is golf a sport? No, it can’t be – numerous clubs don’t allow you to wear trainers in the clubhouse. Hmm, tricky that, because if you go to America, you’ll see nothing but trainers worn in the golf clubs.
Right, let’s deal with the other patronising argument of those who are the authors of these ridiculous dress rules – the “we-must-keep-up-standards” brigade. Piffle! I am waiting for someone to tell me what wonderful qualities a collar on your shirt imbues you with – and what on earth does a tee shirt do that turns you into a poor excuse of a human being, an undesirable, no less? The ONLY standards that the game must strive to hold on to are those of behaviour and is it too much to ask that we all try to be nice to each other? I have witnessed appalling behaviour on the course from those who would be deemed to be properly dressed – some standards they uphold!
Any time you start listing articles of clothing and itemising acceptable and unacceptable garments you are gunning for trouble. Just what is the obsession with forcing conformity on us all and just what are these custodians of our wardrobes afraid of? You know, not many folk look in the mirror in the morning and think, “Right, it’s the monthly medal today. How can I make the very worst of myself?”
And do not get me started on socks! What length? What colour? Men can’t wear sports socks (footsies) with shorts? Oh dear, oh dear!
I am not going to name names or clubs (unless you really want me to) but here is a selection of what I have come across as I criss cross the country:
- One club had THREE committee meetings to decide if one of their women members could wear coloured socks as opposed to the recommended white.
- One of my pupils came to me for a lesson in a round-necked cashmere jumper – very classy. She said she’d have to return home to change before going to her golf club. No collar, you see. I thought it interesting she thought it was good enough to come to me for a lesson in! I was teasing her, of course, but she went home and changed.
- Some young (good) golfers were working on their putting on the practice green. The older members on the terrace decided they’d need a “quiet word” with one lad who was wearing a tee shirt. Said young lad could beat any of them – politely and courteously – with one hand behind his back.
Footwear, sockwear, length of shorts, type of trousers, shirts inside or out, collar or no, hatwear – we are bedecked with rules, rules, rules. All for a sport that is supposed to fill our leisure time with fun and friendships. At its best this is controlling, at its worst it’s not far short of bullying. And what is the point of it all? Take a look around the world – we have far bigger problems than if someone wears flip-flops into the clubhouse – and do you know how expensive some flip-flops are? And golf certainly has eminently more pressing concerns.
As it stands, the very best women players in the world wouldn’t get across the thresholds of most clubs in the UK. That can’t be right.
But, in case you think I’m just having a tilt at the home clubs, I ‘m posting a picture of my good friend Karen Stupples’ 9-year old son, Logan. Karen, as you will recall, won the Women’s British Open in 2004 and is now a commentator with The Golf Channel and based in the States. This is what Logan was wearing when denied access to a public golf facility near their home.
Some eejit of a jobsworth presumably saw only a tee shirt without a collar. I see a well-turned out lad with a lovely golf swing in a shirt that’s a striking shade of blue. I see a young lad who should be welcomed into our sport.
What do you see?
Quite right Maureen.
I see both of you having a go at the looney toons on committee. Quite right. The only thing we ban are soccer tops. Given the sensitivities in Norn Iron, that might be sensible but otherwise, all that matters is courtesy and consideration.
Too true Maureen….most clubs are redesigning their membership packages to entice youngsters through teenage to intermediate status. Yet not one of them that I am aware of in a private members golf course have relaxed their absurd dress codes to any length.
Like Patricia, my late step father quite audaciously suggested Whittington should abolish dress codes and leave it up to the individuals to self police. What a shame that suggestion wasn’t followed up!
I recall with great fondness and some mirth when Sue Glover was a member that she was upset with the ladies committee ruling that tailored shorts should be no shorter than an inch above your knee.
She then reverted to wearing a skirt……a very short tennis skirt, which there was no ruling on, just to prove a point.
I’ve always thought it ludicrous that it is absolutely forbidden to change your shoes in the car park yet you can strip off all manner of clothing….ooh the list can go on and on.
As always great articles by you both Mo x
Can’t argue with a word of that Maureen.
I entered to play in Ladies Open in a club in Scotland which I won’t name.
Walked in to clubhouse at 8.15 am with my friend to sign in. I was wearing trainers. No one present at first. The bar steward came from behind the bar shaving with an electric razor and looked at me and said “nae trainers allowed in here darling” Needless to say I have never been back. Appalling!
I agree we need to grow the game with more of those dressed to go into Walmart.
Please don’t let golf succumb to the apathetic clones of this world….if you don’t like the rules…there’s always other muni’s you can play…you always have a choice in this country…you don’t like it, don’t join or play there, it’s pretty simple.
Couldn’t agree more
There is a club for everyone in the UK if you don’t like dress codes that’s fine choose a club without one. I’m happy wearing long socks with shorts (tailored) and a jacket and tie in the clubhouse. It must work, we’ve a solid waiting list.
Don’t agree , In my opinion golf clubs should keep up standards it is not too difficult to ware a collared shirt rather than a tee shirt. If you join a golf club that has a dress code stick to it.
Back in 2009 on a bitterly cold January lunchtime with 6″ of snow on the ground,I took my wife for some lunch to my golf club (Dean Wood). We walked into the lounge and I said to my wife to find a table and I would get some menus.I was immediately approached by a lady member whom said to me “Tony,could you ask your wife to remove her coat whilst she is in the lounge?” My wife,whom had barely sat down,heard this and wanted to leave immediately.How rude are people that they put such a petty rule before hospitality and common sense?
Totally agree, the only rules my club has on dress code is no blue jeans but you can wear black white or purple. Ok some rules are for a purpose but most are just rediculous. I’ve been in a pro shop and bought a collarless top designed for golf so what’s the problem. Does a collar improve my swing or not having one destroy my game of course not. It’s 2017 people not 1876.
My sister took her 2 year old toddler to join his grandma and grandpa for lunch at their golf club, Tom had on Denim dungarees – they were asked to leave!
Years ago my mother put her anorak style jacket over a chair in the club lounge – she was asked to remove it to the changing room. She removed herself instead and swore she’d never return. It used to drive me nuts remembering what I could and couldn’t wear to meet my father for lunch at his club.
I am in agreement that some standards are required – in behaviour mainly, rather than dress. I’ve been hit on the head with a golf ball driven by an impeccably turned out idiot. But many club rules about dress can only be described as petty.
Ware is a place in Hertfordshire David Dalglish.
Agree with you totally Maureen. Some people really do not help but continue with making golf clubs stuffy stuck up places to be? Not for the 21st century.
Why all this “club that shall be nameless” etc?
Who or what are you all scared of?
Nobody will get anywhere until somebody starts naming and shaming under a public list headed:
THE UK’S TOP ONE HUNDRED MOST JUMPED UP GOLF CLUBS
Find me a sponsor who will pay up front (this is golf, don’t forget!) and I’ll do it.
Tim Taylor – I am not scared to name the club I commented on. It was Carnwath GC but it was probably about 25 years ago this happened. Hopefully things will have changed
Spot on Maureen. My club banned trainers a number of years ago, despite protestations from parents whose kids had begun to play. Now we can barely muster a juvenile team but can field several in the over 60s category. The club also banned collarless shirts. I brought photos to an EGM of 4 major winners wearing them. Not Tiger and Duvall, but Hogan, Arnie, Nicklaus and Jacklin. The ban was still imposed.
Thanks for finally writing about >Dress Rules Not OK – Madill Golf <Loved it!