Modern Guidelines for Golf Course Style

Rules. Before we’re even old enough to talk, our lives begin to revolve around rules. Don’t pick your nose. Don’t put that in your mouth (Plenty of situations where that’s a good rule even when you’re 40). Bedtime. Chores. No Cinemax after 10:00. The thing about rules is that most of them are created to keep us from having any fun. That’s just how life is. When we get older, we have to worry about more rules; And then we start playing golf. The only game known to man that requires a 581 page rule book (Plus an appendix). We already have enough rules to follow. So when I sat down to write this, I decided on guidelines instead. Guidelines are much easier to swallow than rules. So, these are not strict “Must do’s”, just a collection of insights that can help you not look like a fool out there.

In 1991, Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam convinced every man in America that it was cool to not care how you looked, and since then, we’ve been treated to oversized flannels, baggy cargo pants and men just dressing like lazy slobs in general. Remember Tiger’s huge shirts and trousers that looked like parachute pants in the 90’s? Or the U.S. Ryder Cup Team’s shirts at Brookline that looked like Norman Rockwell had a few too many juleps and hurled on them? Ugh. Fortunately there’s been a movement since around 2007 and men are starting to care again, and I love it. For too long we had few viable options when it came to clothes for the course. Over the last few years, a wave of new companies has come to fix that. Linksoul (https://linksoul.com/), Travis Mathew (www.travismathew.com), Devereux (www.dvrxthreads) and William Murray (www.williammurraygolf.com) have become household names. But even the more established companies are stepping up their game, Puma (www.cobragolf.com/pumagolf/) and Ralph Lauren (www.ralphlauren.com/brands-golf-men) being two of the most notable. Some lesser known but great lines are Q.E.D. (https://qedstyle.com/) and Rool Golf (www.roolgolf.com), and you can never, EVER go wrong with anything from Arnold Palmer Apparel (www.arnoldpalmerapparel.com). Plenty of companies are out there offering modern options for you to look great, so there’s no reason to hit the course looking like you don’t belong there, or looking like you don’t respect where you are or the game you’re playing. Golf doesn’t need to be a stuffy dinner party, but it also doesn’t need to look like a NASCAR tailgate party, either. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll never be accused of being ready for either:

1- Fit is (The) King- This should be common sense, but a lot of guys overlook it. The finest shirt in the world will look like absolute garbage on you if it doesn’t fit correctly. Look at the tag, and look for the terms “Athletic Fit”, “Slim Fit” or “Tailored Fit”. These cuts won’t be boxy or “blousey” like Tiger’s shirts from the 90s. And they’ll make you look slimmer. Check the sleeves and make sure they don’t pass below your elbows. Just below the bicep is perfect. In shorts, the length is paramount. No disrespect to Nike, but their shorts belong in a skate park more than on the course. To be honest, most companies make their shorts too long. Check out Original Penguin (www.originalpenguin.com/clothing/shorts/) for examples of how shorts should fit a grown man, ending just above the knee.

2- Forget about “Tech Fibers”- The biggest problem with the shiny, moisture-wicking performance fibers designed for athletic performance is exactly that. They aren’t designed for anything else. As soon as you step off the course, they look out of place. You can’t toss a cardigan on or a blazer and head to the bar for cocktails and trash talk wearing one; It’s just wrong. Choose something with natural fibers, something that’s actually woven. There’s nothing wrong with a little tech, but if it can’t go from the course to the lounge then to dinner, it doesn’t need to be in your closet.

3- Respect your feet- Those clunky, chunky, cheap golf shoes you found in the clearance section? That’s disrespect in the highest order. The first things someone notices about a man is his watch and his shoes. They don’t need to be Footjoy Icons (Even though it’s a fantastic choice), but there are plenty of high quality options. Adidas (http://www.adidas.com/us/golf) is killing it with old school sneaker styles. And please, PLEASE throw your sandal-spikes in the trash immediately. It’s worse than wearing Crocs if you aren’t a chef. If you really want to pull of the casual look with some character, check out Canoos (https://www.canoos.com/). Their boat shoes and canvas sneakers are the coolest thing around right now.

4- Accessories, But at Your Own Risk- The days of big, gawdy belt buckles are over. Get something nice and slim, or even something with a check or stripe on it. Even the white belt at this point is getting a little blah. Andre 300 said that every man should have one thing in his wardrobe that “blings”. Not four, just one. That’s a fantastic guideline. Whether it’s your watch, your socks, your belt, or a bracelet, let one thing you wear pop from everything else. As for sunglasses, unless you’re a track star, a Formula 1 driver, or Henrik Stenson, you don’t need the ultra techy wrap-around sport shades. Stick to something cool. Something smooth. A pair of Persols (www.persol.com) should do nicely, but there are plenty of cheaper options like something Steve McQueen would’ve worn on the course. Actually, just use Steve McQueen every time you ask “Should I wear this?” And you’ll be just fine.

5- White Pants (When do we stop?)- I have a few pair of white trousers. You have to have a couple because they get dirty in a hurry. And I love wearing them and love that I see a ton of Tour guys wearing them. They’re sharp as hell. But, there really does come a point in the season when it’s not okay to wear white pants. Fall is for darker colors, earthy tones and thicker fabrics. It’s rain pant weather. Fall isn’t for the white pants you wore when playing in San Diego a few months ago. The Labor Day rule no longer applies, but it has been expanded. As a general guideline, once the MLB Playoffs start, put the white pants away and let them sit until spring.

6- Okay, maybe a couple Rules- I can’t list these as merely guidelines. It’s 2017, and certain things just should not be a part of your wardrobe, and to be honest, they never should have been in the first place:
– Jean Shorts- Burn them. Burn. Every. Single. Pair. Now.
– Ditch the Pleats- Are you smuggling two pigeons in your pants? No, you’re not.
– Long white or black socks with shorts- Either go for something like Stance socks (www.stance.com) or stick with no-shows or ankle socks. If you’re going to show some sock game, better make sure it’s on fleek.
– Dress Code Disrespect- There are plenty of courses I play that allow t-shirts, and I love playing in a t-shirt and shorts. But if a course has a dress code, just please respect it. Don’t be the dick that shows up in jeans and then tries to get away with it by claiming he didn’t know. Don’t be that guy. Most of us have office jobs or jobs that require wearing a uniform. For many of us, the golf course is one of the remaining outlets for us to express our individual style. So, have fun with it, and enjoy it. It’s okay to put some thought into what you wear to the course guys. Don’t let Grunge win.

Bryan Metzler GolfWRX, 10/13/2017  |  bryan@theclaretclub.com