If you’re new to the sport of golf, you may be wondering what to wear on the course.
If you’ve ever been to a golf course, you know that there are a lot of rules about what’s allowed and what isn’t. So what should you wear?
The answer is simple: wear whatever makes you feel comfortable! You don’t want to be so bundled up that it’s hard for you to swing your club or do anything else that requires movement, but if it’s too hot out (and especially if there’s no shade) wearing less clothing might make sense.
One thing that’s important is wearing appropriate shoes. If your feet hurt after playing for an hour or more, then something is wrong with your shoes—either they’re not supportive enough or they don’t give your feet enough room to breathe (and sweat!).
As far as outerwear goes, a jacket or hoodie might be helpful if it gets cold at night, but otherwise try not to overheat when playing golf!
What to wear on the golf course
When you’re out on the golf course, it’s important to dress according to the weather. But unless you’re playing in a professional tournament, there’s no need to worry about your outfit being too formal or flashy. You can wear what you want—as long as your clothes are comfortable, appropriate for the weather, and fit well.
Here are some tips for dressing up for golf:
- Do remember to wear sunscreen if it’s sunny out—and don’t forget to reapply!
- Don’t wear anything too tight or revealing (no cleavage or short shorts).
- Don’t wear anything that could get in the way of your swing (like loose-fitting pants).
You know what they say: “dress for success.”
And if you’re a golfer, that means dressing in a way that will help you perform at your best. In fact, the way you dress can have a big impact on your game—and it’s not just about looking good.
Why You Need to Dress for Golf Success
Golf is a sport that requires both finesse and endurance. The course itself is typically several miles long, and you may have to walk for hours at a time. You’ll need to be prepared for any weather, including heat, cold, rain, or wind.
To ensure that you are properly dressed for the golf course—and to keep yourself comfortable while playing—you’ll want to make sure that your wardrobe includes:
Golf is a sport that’s all about tradition, and so is dressing for it. For golfers, it’s important to look the part—especially if you’re going to be playing in front of other people.
It’s also important to dress appropriately for the weather: If you play in a chilly climate, make sure you have warm clothes on hand!
For pretty much all municipal and cheaper courses, collared shirts aren’t required. You can wear jeans, tee shirts, and not wear golf shoes. That being said, you’ll need to make sure the clothes you wear are clean, presentable, and not offensive in any way.
9+ Must Know Clothing Rules For The Golf Course
Written by Jon Webber in Golf Knowledge
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When you’re first getting started with golf you might have a number of questions regarding what to wear. I’ve gotten a number of people into golfing recently, and these are some of the most common questions I’ve heard.
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The questions I hear a lot are what type of pants/shirst are you supposed to wear, do you tuck in your shirt or not, can I wear these pants/shirts, and what to wear if I don’t have golf clothes. We’ll jump into each of these questions, so you’ll be covered.
Can You Wear Jeans To Golf?
Blue jean shorts and pants should never be worn on the golf course. Black and grey jean shorts and pants could be acceptable on most municipal public courses, but when it comes to higher end country clubs or private courses, no type of jeans will be allowed on the course.
The best thing to do would be to check the dress code before you go out. You can call the course or check their website. Personally, I’d never wear denim on the course because it really isn’t that comfortable.
If you really want to wear jeans on the course, the only place where it’ll be fine is on a pitch and putt course, a par 3 course, or a cheaper “working man” course. To be safe, stick to black or grey jeans that are clean and holeless.
The reason jeans aren’t allowed on most courses is because it’s just tradition from back in the day. Quite a while ago, most courses were country clubs with memberships, and most of the people who went there were upper class people.
The courses and members wanted a certain type of person with a certain appearance to be at the course. This tradition has just stuck around for a long time. Some people like it, some people don’t.
If you were to ask me, I’d say that blue jeans shouldn’t be on the course, but a nice pair of black or grey jeans are completely fine. That being said, I don’t know why you’d want to wear jeans to the course?
Can You Wear Jeans To The Driving Range?
For the majority of driving ranges, wearing jeans is considered to be acceptable attire. The only type of driving range where jeans are not allowed is one that’s part of a higher end course, country club, or private course.
If you go to any standalone driving range, you can wear pretty much anything. Jeans, sandals, tee shirts, and tank tops are normally fine to wear.
If you’re going to an actual course with a driving range on it, things could be a little different. If it’s just a normal municipal course, jeans and other casual clothing should be fine to wear as well.
The one type of range where jeans aren’t allowed is at a country club or private course. These ranges are a lot more strict and will require that you wear actual golf clothing.
That being said, I still don’t normally wear jeans to the driving range. They really aren’t that comfortable, and I think it’s a good idea to wear what you normally do on the course (golf shoes and clothes that aren’t heavy and stiff).
Do You Have To Wear A Collared Shirt To Golf?
Collared golf shirts are only required on higher end country clubs and private courses. The majority of municipal courses don’t require collared shirts, but it’s recommended that you wear clothing that’s clean and presentable.
If you’re going to be going to a more expensive course then you’ll most likely have to follow a dress code. That means collared shirt, no denim, golf shoes, etc. If you don’t have a collared shirt, wear a tee shirt but throw a nice sweater on top.
For pretty much all municipal and cheaper courses, collared shirts aren’t required. You can wear jeans, tee shirts, and not wear golf shoes. That being said, you’ll need to make sure the clothes you wear are clean, presentable, and not offensive in any way.
I almost always wear a golf shirt when I play because they’re light, flexible, and breathable. Some people don’t have one, so if that’s the case, it’s complretly fine.
Do You Tuck In Your Shirt For Golf?
Tucking in your golf shirt is not required. Whether you’re wearing pants or shorts, the choice to tuck or untuck your shirt is completely personal preference, and is allowed at all courses.
For me, whether I tuck in my shirt or not depends on the type of shirt I’m wearing. If my shirt is pretty long, I’ll tuck it in my shorts or pants. If my shirt is a normal length, I’ll do whatever I feel like that day.
Some people like tucking in their shirt because it keeps everything tight and compact. If your shirt is too long or too bulky, it might get in the way when you’re swinging. Try both and see for yourself.
Can You Wear Leggings To Golf?
Wearing leggings such as yoga pants or compression pants are considered to be good golf attire at most golf courses. The only time you may not be able to wear leggings is when you’re golfing at a high end country club or private course.
The best way to check this is to look at the course website. If they have a section for their dress code then they’ll normally list what you can wear. If they don’t list their dress code, chances are you’ll be fine wearing leggings.
I’ve called a number of different courses in my area and the majority of them said leggings were fine to wear. The only courses that said they weren’t allowed was the private course and the most expensive public course.
Can You Wear Running Shoes For Golf?
Wearing running shoes on the golf course is considered acceptable attire. The only type of shoes you can’t wear on the course are boots, sandals, and shoes with metal spikes.
If you’re brand new to golf then I probably wouldn’t recommend going out and buying golf shoes. Eventually you’ll want them, but they aren’t needed right away.
The two main reasons to wear golf shoes are:
They provide more grip.
They can be waterproof.
The main reason to get golf shoes is that they grip the grass better than other shoes. Some have plastic spikes and some just have a grippier sole. This is especially useful when you’re playing on a wet course or are hitting from an awkward lie.
If you’ve ever golfed without golf shoes you’ll probably know that your foot tends to slip when you hit the ball. This will normally mess up your shot, which can be pretty frustrating.
The second benefit to golf shoes is that they tend to be more water resistant. A lot of the courses in my area are wet from October to April, so waterproof shoes are a must.
Can You Wear Cargo Pants To Golf?
Cargo pants are considered to be acceptable golf attire on normal municipal courses where denim is also allowed. Some private courses or country clubs don’t allow denim, and if that’s the case, cargo pants are likely not allowed either.
If you’re going to a par 3 course or one of your local courses, cargo pants are probably fine to wear. Just make sure they aren’t too long and bulky and you should be fine.
If you want to be sure, check their website. If they don’t say anything about a dress code, you should be good to go. If they say no denim, you probably shouldn’t wear cargo pants (unless they look somewhat like slacks).
If you’re going to a private course or country club then I wouldn’t wear cargo pants. You likely won’t be allowed on. You might be fine if your cargo pants look somewhat like slacks, but if not, you’d want to wear better golf pants.
Can You Wear Joggers To Golf?
Wearing joggers on the golf course is considered to be acceptable attire on most courses. The only courses that don’t allow joggers are private courses and higher end country clubs.
If you’re going to your local course then you’ll be fine wearing joggers. Just make sure they’re clean, presentable, and don’t have holes in them. I’ve wore them many times and have never had any issues.
If you’re going to a higher end country club then they might have a stricter dress code. Check their website and see if they say anything about it. Most places will say that you can’t wear denim or pants that are too long and bulky.
As long as your joggers are nicely fitted and clean, you should have no issues getting on the golf course.
What To Wear If You Dont Have Golf Clothes?
If you don’t have golf clothes you might be wondering what to wear. Don’t worry, there are a number of different options you can pick from. The thing to think about first is what type of course are you going to?
If you’re going to a pitch and putt or par 3 course, pretty much anything goes. If you’re going to your local course, some have dress codes but some don’t. Private courses or country clubs normally have a stricter dress code.
The main thing to make sure is that you look presentable. Don’t wear clothes that make you look like an A-hole. Don’t wear offensive stuff and don’t wear clothes that are 2x too big. Stick to clothes that are fitted well and are plain. Let’s jump into some examples of what you could wear:
Shirt
T-shirt (most courses except private and country clubs)
Collared shirt (all courses)
Tank top (pitch and putt or par 3 course)
1/4 zip sweater (all courses)
V-neck sweater (all courses)
Hoodless sweater (all courses)
Hooded sweater (most courses except private and country clubs)
Pants/Shorts
Slacks (all courses)
Joggers (all courses)
Leggings (most courses except some country clubs)
Cargo pants (Most courses except private courses and country clubs)
Sweat pants (pitch and putt or par 3 course)
Cargo shorts (all courses if knee high)
Basketball shorts (pitch and putt or par 3)
Shoes
Tennis shoe (all courses)
Casual shoe (all courses)
Sandal (pitch and putt or par 3)
Boots (pitch and putt or par 3)
What to wear golfing female
Comfortable long pants, capris, skirt or shorts with pockets. If you’re playing a public course, non-blue-denim jean styles are OK, and so are shorts or skirts of any length. At private courses, skip the jean styles and short-shorts. Just choose bottoms that are comfortable and washable.
What to wear for golf if you don’t have golf clothes
by Susan Fornoff, editor of GottaGoGolf/ Featured, Garb, The Blog
Even the most experienced woman golfer struggles with the question of what to wear for golf. But, here’s a little secret: You don’t need golf clothes to dress for golf.
image of empty closet
Notice that the LPGA dress code does not require professional tour players to wear “golf clothes.” In fact, and the golf clothing manufacturers would rather you not know this, a woman can dress appropriately and comfortably for golf without ever purchasing a golf shirt, skort or rainsuit.
This is good news in a sport where equipment costs a lot of money and green fees can be exorbitant. If you want to save money on women’s golf clothes, check out our tips here. But, really, what to wear for golf needn’t cost the typical woman anything at all. You probably already have everything you need for a round of golf.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR GOLF: LOOK IN YOUR CLOSET
First of all, think about what you wear for school or work. Eliminate blue jeans, boots and the oxford button-down and look for:
Comfortable long pants, capris, skirt or shorts with pockets. If you’re playing a public course, non-blue-denim jean styles are OK, and so are shorts or skirts of any length. At private courses, skip the jean styles and short-shorts. Just choose bottoms that are comfortable and washable.
A stretchy shirt that moves easily with you. This might have a collar or mock turtleneck for a private course, and have short or long or no sleeves depending on the weather.
Instead of both of the above, a dress! Yes, if you have a stretchy, knit dress that is comfortable to move in, you can wear it for golf. If it’s short or the weather is cool, put some leggings under it.
Comfortable undergarments. It’s best to choose a bra without wires, and panties that aren’t inclined to ride anywhere.
A sweater, pullover or jacket in case the weather changes. The classic fabric is wool, which will keep you warm and fairly dry. But things you wear to the gym or to run or bike might have more sophisticated weather proofing.
Tennis/sports/walking shoes. No matter what you hear about “golf shoes required,” nobody will notice that you are wearing a favorite pair of Skechers or cross-trainers. Simply tread lightly on the greens until you decide to spring for real golf shoes.
Socks. Even if they are minimal, you will be grateful for them after your first trip into a bunker.
Hat and sunglasses. A baseball cap qualifies as a golf hat and you can secure your hair through the hole in the back. Glasses you wear for driving a car work for driving a golf ball.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR GOLF: SHOP CONSIGNMENT
Plenty of women who play golf part with barely-worn clothes early to buy the new seasonal offerings. So a large consignment store in an affluent neighborhood might carry women-centric golf labels. Look for Tail, EP Pro, Antigua and Cutter & Buck’s popular Annika label, plus the big names of Nike, Callaway and Puma.
About the only piece of apparel you might want to purchase new is your glove. Even this is not essential to enjoying your first few rounds of golf, but it might help you feel like you fit in to your new surroundings.
For more ideas, check out our curated collection of what’s new this season.
What Do Women Wear While Golfing?
By
Katie Davies
BA Fashion Marketing
Two women on golf course
If you’ve never been golfing before, it’s common to wonder what women specifically wear on the golf course. Some golf clubs have more of a strict dress code for men and women than others; however, there are some general rules that you should follow.
Polo Shirts Galore
Two golf women wearing polo shirts
First and foremost, make sure that you’re wearing an appropriate top for golfing that will allow your body to move and ultimately enhance your performance. The most popular option is a polo shirt as these tops come in an array of colors and styles, such as:
Button down
V-neck
Zip-top
Long and short sleeves
Prints like floral, stripes, and argyle patterns
Polo shirts are also the go-to because a lot of private golf clubs state that “shirts must have a collar” in their dress code regulations. However, turtleneck tops are widely accepted in less strict venues. Just make sure that you avoid t-shirts, halter tops, strapless tops, and tank tops.
Can You Wear Leggings to Golf?
Women playing golf in shorts
When it comes to what to wear on your bottom half, it largely depends on the weather. As a general rule, pants and shorts should always have belt loops so that you can wear a belt. For colder months, slacks or colored chinos are a popular choice. In the summer, shorter slacks like capris, crops, or Bermuda shorts are all very common. If you do opt for shorts, bear in mind that private clubs prefer them to be no more than four inches above the knee.
Avoid Being Too Casual
Golf dresses and skorts (a cross between a skirt and shorts) are also valid options for the summer. Just stay away from the following garments as they’re all considered too casual:
Sundresses
Sweats
Athletic pants
Leggings
Layering Up Your Outfit
Layered clothing for playing golf
It’s quite common to have to layer up on the golf course, especially because temperatures can vary substantially from the morning to the afternoon. In terms of sweaters and jackets, women have a few different options, including:
A turtleneck sweater
A golf vest
A golf jacket
A wind shirt
A waterproof rain jacket with hood
Don’t wear a denim jacket or standard sweatshirt as these are considered unacceptable.
Invest in Smart Footwear
Closeup of women’s golf footwear
Women should adhere to the following requirements when it comes to picking out suitable footwear for golfing.
Invest in golf shoes with non-metal (or soft) spikes, as these tend to be a strict requirement across all golf courses. They’re essential for looking the part, but also to provide firm footing when you take a swing.
Casual clubs might allow running shoes, but it’s best to opt for golf shoes so that you don’t lose traction on golf course terrain.
For socks, opt for some proper golfing socks that absorb moisture and provide the utmost comfort for all-day play. Ideally, choose a pair that coordinates with your pants, shorts, skort, or golf dress. Make sure that they’re low or don’t show for the stamp of approval from your golf club.
Minimal Accessories
Woman wearing red golf visor
In terms of accessories, it’s imperative that women wear a cap or visor on sunny days to protect their eyes. Feel free to choose from a multitude of styles, colors, and fabrics because just about anything goes. However, coordinating your hat or visor with the rest of your outfit will enhance your flawless golfing aesthetic.
You can also further accessorize your outfit with the following:
Sunglasses – Polarized options are recommended to reduce glare and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Watch – Opt for a watch that is sweatproof and waterproof for practical timekeeping while you’re on the golf course.
Using What’s in Your Closet
Woman hitting ball out of bunker
If you’re heading on an impromptu golfing trip and you haven’t had the opportunity to invest in the correct attire, you can use the following items from your closet:
Top – A collared polo shirt in any color or design
Bottoms – Colored chinos, a tennis skirt that passes your fingertips when you’re standing up straight, Bermuda shorts, or black exercise pants as a very last resort
Outerwear – A turtleneck sweater, sweater vest, or waterproof rain jacket
Footwear – Running shoes and sports socks that come above the ankle
Accessories – A cap, visor, practical sunglasses or sports watch
It’s important to dress as suitably as you can for golfing; otherwise, the golf club has the authority to send you home if you’re not adhering to their dress code. If in doubt, you can buy an affordable starter outfit at stores like Marshalls or TJ Maxx.
Rocking the Golfing Look
Dressing appropriately for golfing is straightforward once you know how. Simply shop around and mix and match different options to find out what works best for you, your body shape, and your specific golf club.
