What to Wear Golfing

Last updated on May 26th, 2023 at 05:17 pm

Comfortable clothes such as khakis, golf shorts, chinos, skorts, capris, skirts, golf pants, collared polo shirts, golf shirts, and visors or golf hats are all considered appropriate golf attire. Most golf courses have a dress code, so you want to ensure you adhere to that, like if some don’t allow shorts on the golf course. Also, if you want to guard yourself against the sun while spending hours on the green, there are special golf clothes that you can wear for that.

So, what is the best clothing to wear while golfing? What do male and female golfers tend to wear when golfing? What are golf shoes, and how are they different from sneakers? Is there any golf clothing that is best for sun protection? What is a golf course’s typical dress code, and why is there even one? Finally, what should you not wear when golfing?

Here is the complete guide on what to wear when golfing.

Table of Contents

What is the Best Clothing to Wear While Golfing?

The best clothing items for male and female golfers to wear are some form of khaki or golf pants or shorts. Polo shirts are also among the most popular and acceptable golf clothing items. These are comfortable, stylish, and easily available. Most golfers also wear a golf glove, which helps when gripping the golf club, especially in rainy or hot weather.

Many clubhouse shops and sporting goods stores also sell golf outfits. These are often color-coordinated, including golf pants, dresses, windbreakers, and pullovers. Their design provides comfort throughout the golf round while ensuring that the golf apparel meets any dress code standards that a course may have.

Most golfers also wear hats for sun protection and to show off their golf fashion. These hats can range from visors to bucket hats, baseball caps, straw hats, and hats emblazoned with the golf course’s logo.

What Do Male Golfers Wear When Golfing?

Polo shirts, collared shirts, golf shorts, khakis, and golf pants are the most common items male golfers wear.

Long sleeve golf shirts, windbreakers, and pullovers are ideal for the cooler weather and should be comfortable enough to allow for the wide range of motion that golfers require.

Soft spikes or spikeless golf shoes are required at more golf courses to help prevent damage to the grounds. For years, metal spikes have been the preferred choice of golfers, but these soft spikes offer a new level of comfort and durability.

What Do Female Golfers Wear when Golfing?

Polo shirts are trendy since they are comfortable to play in. Golf dresses are also becoming more popular. Short sleeve or sleeveless shirts are also acceptable but should have a collar. In cooler weather, pullovers and turtlenecks are helpful and functional.

Skirts, shorts, skorts, capris, and golf pants are all commonly worn by female golfers.

Just like men golfers, women golfers also use shoes with either soft spikes or spikeless shoes.

What are Golf Shoes, and How are they Different from Sneakers?

Sneakers are all-purpose footwear that can be worn in a variety of situations. On the other hand, golf shoes are built with specific purposes in mind, mainly to give the golfer stability and traction on various terrains they may encounter on their golf courses.

The sole structure of golf shoes is also different from that of sneakers. Unlike sneakers or other athletic shoes, golf shoes have a larger sole and a broader base. Because the golf swing is performed while standing still, this is necessary so the player can maintain proper balance throughout the swing.

Golf shoes must also be very comfortable, considering that a golfer may walk between four and six miles during an eighteen-hole round of golf. Also, unlike sneakers, golf shoes are usually waterproof, which is necessary since most golfers typically play a few rounds of golf in the rain during the year. Golfers also occasionally play early in the morning or evening, when the dew on the grass makes having waterproof shoes a must for comfort!

What is the Best Clothing to Wear for Sun Protection?

Golfers should always start by wearing a hat when picking out an outfit to golf with. A hat is essential to keep the sun off your face during the round. Wide-brim hats are the most effective, as they protect a greater portion of your face and neck from the sun.

Many golf shirts (cooler weather windbreakers and pullovers) now have built-in UPF protection. UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, protecting the skin from UV rays, according to Skin Cancer Foundation’s website. Some popular golf brands with UPF protection clothing include Coolibar, Runners World, and UV Skinz.

Other items to consider for more sun protection while out on the golf course are:

UPF sunglasses.
Sun-protective golf gloves.
Long golf sleeves with Cooling Fabric Technology.
Sweat-wicking golf socks and shorts.

What is a Typical Dress Code for a Golf Course?

While dress codes vary from course to course, here are a few requirements that most courses with a dress code will enforce. Male golfers should wear collared shirts, knee-length shorts, slacks, khakis, or golf pants. Along with that look, you should also consider wearing golf shoes on the green.

Female golfers should wear collared tops or shirts. They can wear skirts, skorts, shorts, slacks, or golf pants. Golf shoes are also required.

Windbreakers, pullovers, turtlenecks, and jackets are permitted in cooler weather.

Why Does Golf Have a Dress Code?

Golf is one of the oldest sports in history, and it still maintains many traditions that have survived and evolved over the years. Among those is the dress code, which was instituted in the early days of golf when the wealthiest members of society enjoyed the game at private clubs. As it was considered a somewhat elitist sport, clubs began to introduce dress codes to keep their courses accessible to only those that could afford the clothing and the fees.

Today, many golf courses require golfers to abide by their dress code, as it helps carry on the game’s tradition and instills a sense of pride and respectability among the players.

However, there has been increasing pushback from both PGA and casual golfers to eliminate or change some of the more stringent elements of dress codes. This dress code discussion is an ongoing process, as many courses are slowly modifying their dress code rules to encourage more people to take up the game.

What Should you not Wear When Golfing?

For both male and female golfers, dress codes on most courses usually prohibit wearing the following items:

Jeans
Workout equipment
Cargo shorts
Yoga pants
Sweatshirts
Team jerseys
Leggings
Gym shorts
Tank tops
Casual pants with drawstrings
Flip flops
T-shirts
Tennis shoes
Running shoes

If you are a first-time golfer on a new course, you should call the pro shop and ask if there is a dress code and, if so, what it is. Also, it is worth noting that if you are taking your family golfing with little kids, the dress code for them is relaxed. However, check in with the pro shop to confirm that they are okay with your family golfing with you and their dress code before showing up to golf.

Conclusion: What to Wear Golfing

In summary, what to wear golfing depends on a few factors. First, you should understand the dress code at the golf course you are attending. Specific golf courses have a stricter dress code than others, so you want to plan your attire around that.

Second, you want to wear comfortable clothes that adhere to the dress code of the course. That dress code can include things like golf pants, golf shorts, polos, and a hat. You can wear a sweater or windbreaker when playing golf in cooler weather.

Finally, if you go golfing, one tip is to invest in sun protection clothing. An 18-hole round of golf can take hours to complete, which means you are out in the sun for hours, even on a cloudy day. Consider getting comfortable UPF clothing that keeps you cool in the summer while protecting you from the sun while golfing with your friends.