Dress Codes

blue note

How do you feel about them? Personally, within reason I'm fond of them. I can't understand why though, whatever way I think about it I can't understand why a lad wearing a football jersey would bother me.

newport2

I'd be the same.

I remember one of the stupidest things I ever experienced was at a golf club years ago. There with a society, really hot humid day. Anyway, we'd finished and were in the bar having some food and a drink. Air conditioning was broken, so hotter again in there with all the windows open. What was mad was the place was half full of older men wearing blazers, several of which looked like they were going to pass out with the heat any minute. The barman told us that the Captain was away on holidays, and any member to not wear a blazer in the bar during dinner hours had to get the Captain's permission. Nuts.

Alrite Chief

Funny how the recession has reduced the strictness of this in most clubs. Remember hearing about an argument over a pair of 'adidas golf' golf trousers which the pro in the shop seen them as tracksuit bottoms. Wouldn't let the lad out. You'd never get that now. A lot of club bars also removed the rule about no denimn.

ssbob

Dress codes are good for golf etiquette though, the majority of the time the guy who doesn't take care when dressing is not going to repair divots and not going to repair pitch marks, however in saying that some clubs are over the top.

I really can't understand for the life of me how anyone can play golf in jeans, I am seeing it more and more nowadays!

foxyboxer

From the Muirfied site.

Dress in the Smoking and Dining Rooms after 10.00am is smart, equivalent to a gentleman's lounge jacket and tie.

So essentially, I would be escorted from the premises for the crime of not wearing a tie? We're there to hit a small white ball around a field, not hob nob with a brandy and a bunch of pretentious gits with delusions of grandeur.

GreeBo

foxyboxer wrote: »

From the Muirfied site.

Dress in the Smoking and Dining Rooms after 10.00am is smart, equivalent to a gentleman's lounge jacket and tie.

So essentially, I would be escorted from the premises for the crime of not wearing a tie? We're there to hit a small white ball around a field, not hob nob with a brandy and a bunch of pretentious gits.

So why would you want to go in there so?

foxyboxer

GreeBo wrote: »

So why would you want to go in there so?

I wouldn't. But if you were in a situation where you were at the club (not playing golf) and happened to enter the dining room, were asked to leave, you queried as to why, and were informed you didn't have a tie. You'd have to see how ridiculous it is.

foxyboxer

ssbob wrote: »

Dress codes are good for golf etiquette though, the majority of the time the guy who doesn't take care when dressing is not going to repair divots and not going to repair pitch marks, however in saying that some clubs are over the top.

I really can't understand for the life of me why how anyone can play golf in jeans, I am seeing it more and more nowadays!

The theory goes in Bars that the dress code (shoes, no trainers) is in place as those with runners would be more likely to start a fight. Makes sense in a way. So perhaps that's the reasoning for the etiquette theory.

GreeBo

foxyboxer wrote: »

I wouldn't. But if you were in a situation where you were at the club (not playing golf) and happened to enter the dining room, were asked to leave, you queried as to why, and were informed you didn't have a tie. You'd have to see how ridiculous it is.

Tbh no I wouldnt.
Why would you be at the club, not playing golf, and not be aware of the dress codes?
I think you are just trying to poke fun at somewhere because they have rules that you dont agree with.
I had to wear a uniform in school that involved a tie. I'd be punished for not wearing that tie as that was the dress code. I dont see why you think its ridiculous at all. If you want to be there obey their rules, if not be somewhere else where the rules suit you.

foxyboxer

GreeBo wrote: »

Tbh no I wouldnt.
Why would you be at the club, not playing golf, and not be aware of the dress codes?
I think you are just trying to poke fun at somewhere because they have rules that you dont agree with.
I had to wear a uniform in school that involved a tie. I'd be punished for not wearing that tie as that was the dress code. I dont see why you think its ridiculous at all. If you want to be there obey their rules, if not be somewhere else where the rules suit you.

True, I guess it feeds into the snobby element of the game that I don't like.

8under

ssbob wrote: »

Dress codes are good for golf etiquette though, the majority of the time the guy who doesn't take care when dressing is not going to repair divots and not going to repair pitch marks, however in saying that some clubs are over the top.

I really can't understand for the life of me why how anyone can play golf in jeans, I am seeing it more and more nowadays!

I agree, maintaining some standards in dress code I believe helps with etiquette and rule observance on the course. I don't agree in the jacket & tie rule but I agree with smart casual in the club house and appropriate golf attire on the course.

I hate to see football jerseys and jeans on a golf course.
If someone wants to wear a football jersey join a football club. Most amateur leagues don't allow odd socks, shorts or jerseys to be worn in club games and football clubs can be penalised if that happens.

Why should golfers tolerate non golf wear such as football jerseys in their sport?

GreeBo

foxyboxer wrote: »

The theory goes in Bars that the dress code (shoes, no trainers) is in place as those with runners would be more likely to start a fight. Makes sense in a way. So perhaps that's the reasoning for the etiquette theory.

I dont think that makes any sense. Seems like a mass generalization to me.
A dresscode because they want everyone to dress at a certain standard to keep up the quality of the place makes a lot more sense to me (whether or not you agree with the standard of that dress code) than runners = fights.

foxyboxer

Common Sense should prevail not pedantry.

e.g.

Golfers must wear smart casual clothing. *with a guideline provided*
Soft Spikes.
No Golf Shoes in the Club House.
Smart Casual attire in the dining room.

Not

Navy ties with a red stripe in a Windsor knot and a dining jacket with three brass buttons must be worn when ordering in the dining room etc.

"Good Morning Sir, could you please leave without a fuss...right now?"
"It's the Half Windor isn't it"
"Precisely, sir"
"Almost!"

GreeBo

foxyboxer wrote: »

Common Sense should prevail not pedantry.

e.g.

Golfers must wear smart casual clothing. *with a guideline provided*
Soft Spikes.
No Golf Shoes in the Club House.
Smart Casual attire in the dining room.

Not

Navy ties with a red stripe in a Windsot knot and a dining jacket with three brass buttons must be worn when ordering in the dining room etc.

"Good Morning Sir, could you please leave without a fuss...right now?"
"It's the Half Winsdor isn't it"
"Precisely, sir"
"Almost!"

Like I said earlier

I think you are just trying to poke fun at somewhere because they have rules that you dont agree with.

:cool:

Following the rules that the majority of members of a club you are in is not being pedantic. Having rules that some people can ignore some of the time is a disaster as you will always get someone who pushes and pushes. Either have rules and obey them all or dont have them, having them but picking and choosing which ones are ok and which are pedantic is rather silly.

foxyboxer

Prohibiting someone from eating their lunch or dinner at a club because they are not wearing a tie (although they could be decked out in Saville Row's finest regardless) is pedantic and deserves to be made fun of. It's the sort of practice that reinforces the stereotype of Golf being a game for snobs. Which it isn't.

I agree with common sense rules as others have outlined already.

GreeBo

foxyboxer wrote: »

Prohibiting someone from eating their lunch or dinner at a club because they are not wearing a tie (although they could be decked out in Saville Row's finest regardless) is pedantic and deserves to be made fun of. It's the sort of practice that reinforces the stereotype of Golf being a game for snobs. Which it isn't.

I agree with common sense rules as others have outlined already.

Ok so is it just ties that are a problem?
How about runners?
How about sandals?
T Shirt?
Hot Pants?
Where do you draw the line?

Again, if the members of this club have decided that they want someone to wear a tie in the dining room then who the hell are you to have an issue with it?


/edit
and you actually make my point for me.
It doesnt need to be Saville Row, if it did then I would have a huge problem with it.
Anyone can get a tie for €1 and then eat their lunch in peace if they want to. If not go somewhere else.

link_2007

GreeBo wrote: »

Like I said earlier
:cool:

Following the rules that the majority of members of a club you are in is not being pedantic. Having rules that some people can ignore some of the time is a disaster as you will always get someone who pushes and pushes. Either have rules and obey them all or dont have them, having them but picking and choosing which ones are ok and which are pedantic is rather silly.

I have no problem adhering to rules Greebo but I think the point foxyboxer is making is that some places appear to have these rules just for the sake of having them.

I mean if my workplace tell me from now on I have to wear my suit jacket as a pair of makeshift trousers than am I being pedantic for not wanting to go along with it?

If I happen to disagree that I should need to wear a tie and suit jacket (I know this is the extreme) in order to have a cup of coffee after a round of golf, I dont think it's unreasonable to question why.

foxyboxer

GreeBo wrote: »

Ok so is it just ties that are a problem?

The ties are just a specific example from the Muirfield site.

foxyboxer

Imagine the following scenario.

The club has the following policy;
Men’s shirts must have collars and long or short sleeves, and must be tucked inside the trousers at all times. Football / rugby style polo shirts are not considered golf dress.

You are the club secretary and someone shows up like this.


Do you let them play or insist they change to a collared shirt or leave the course? Being pedantic, you would have to insist they change but common sense would invoke a little flexibility and allow them to play but remind them of the collared shirt code for future reference.

GreeBo

foxyboxer wrote: »

Imagine the following scenario.

The club has the following policy;
Men’s shirts must have collars and long or short sleeves, and must be tucked inside the trousers at all times. Football / rugby style polo shirts are not considered golf dress.

You are the club secretary and someone shows up like this.


Do you let them play or insist they change to a collared shirt or leave the course? Being pedantic, you would have to insist they change but common sense would invoke a little flexibility and allow them to play but remind them of the collared shirt code for future reference.

Being pedantic that does have a collar.

GreeBo

link_2007 wrote: »

I have no problem adhering to rules Greebo but I think the point foxyboxer is making is that some places appear to have these rules just for the sake of having them.

I mean if my workplace tell me from now on I have to wear my suit jacket as a pair of makeshift trousers than am I being pedantic for not wanting to go along with it?

If I happen to disagree that I should need to wear a tie and suit jacket (I know this is the extreme) in order to have a cup of coffee after a round of golf, I dont think it's unreasonable to question why.

I really doubt they have them just for the sake of it...
If the members want to change them then they would get changed, its the members who vote on these things anyway.

Also most of the time (in anywhere I have played) there are different rules for having a cup of tea in the bar versus eating in the dining room.

dak

Played Old Portmarnock years ago on a very hot June day with my Father in Law (RIP) . I was smartly dressed with chinos and a short sleeved shirt but was stopped going into the members bar at lunchtime until the Caddy master found me a tie and blazer to wear ... what a load of poppyc**k . I wasn't impressed especially on such a hot day !

FixdePitchmark

Was in Dun Laoghaire golf club. The members had all the gear on and a society was in and could wear what they like:D. It seems times are changing.

Some (non golfing) lads who I bring golfing , just find it all a bit daft. I have to say - I do too.

Some of them lads in the blazers are like lads with yellow jackets - it is an act of self importance. I'd say - let them eat cake.

JohnMcClane

I don't understand these dress rules in certain clubs and why they still exist. Club I am a member of has relaxed rules in recent years so jeans are now not only permitted in the clubhouse but also on the course!! If I pay €80 for a pair of jeans and some fella turns up in dunnes chinos he bought for £4 in 1988 and were once navy but are now a strange shade of reddy/brown/very light navy in places......who's to say looks the smarter??

GreeBo

Again the value of clothes is irrelevant. There is a dress code about what you can wear, not how much it had to cost. I think some of you are missing the point. In you're example rainbow man would be told he didn't meet the dress code in my club.

Almaviva

Of course, any club is free to decide how they are going to dress if they wish, and impose that on visitors if they wish.

But, I am totally against any dress code whatsoever, and would prefer to be a member of a club that did not have one.
It all stems from the old class system where your clothes signalled your position in the social structure. And has hung on in the, generally, conservative and upper social milieu of golf clubs (yes I know everyone plays golf these days, but, customs, particularly ones displaying elitism or superiority are slow to change) .
Those hanging on to the more 'relaxed' code of for example no football shirts, or no jeans, are only kidding themselves. The syndrome is the same as the blazer and tie stipulation for the dining room. Just with the line drawn in a different place.
Golf is a social and lesiure activity, and I find it odd that someone should feel he can object to having to see me on the course wearing a collarless tee shirt and cut-off jeans.

Having said all that, I only wear trousers made by my Saville Row tailor in Egyptian cotton sateen, my shirts are a polo style, in a silk/cotton blend of my own specification (all in Titian blue) and made in Paris (the only city in the world one can get polo shirts made with any distinction), and my shoes are hand made in Milan to lasts which they hold for me and update every two years to ensure a perfect fit. But thats just my own preference and I dont believe anyone should be able to object to me dressing as I choose.

Davidth88

I would not wear jeans on the course , I find them heavy and uncomfortable TBH

However , this is an interesting story

Back before the Open was played in Carnoustie in 99 ( I think it was about 1995 ) I was a member up in Arbroath ( about 10 miles north )

I played Carnoustie a couple of times , which by the way is a total beast , on both occasions I joined up with local lads . The local people could be members of the links for about 100 quid at the time ( you had to live in Carnoustie ).

On both occasions the local lads were wearing jeans , no-one cared .

On the other extreme , I have played a course south of London the name of which slips my mind. You were not allowed to wear shoes that had any white on them , and to go into the club house you had to have a blazer , not a suit , a blazer . And you MUST not have gold or silver buttons on said blazer , that was reserved for the captain !

I hate this nonsense of men having to wear knee socks with shorts , whereas women can what they like , its a load of bull.

the_syco

Dress codes, for the most part, are to keep the scumbags, travelers, and/or the general public out of the club house.

A course I used to play on didn't allow runners, jeans, football jerseys, etc, to be worn on the course. I had runners at the time, and when I asked if I could still play, I was told; "Sure. The rules are there so we can refuse people on what they wear" - pretty much so that they could tell people who turned up in their clapped out sh|tmobile wearing trakkies and smoking Johnnie Blue could be told to leave.

TheDoc

Personally have no time for that sort of snobbery. Thankfully my club isn't prehistoric and takes a modern more relaxed approach.
Proper golf wear is expected on the course whilst playing, however within the clubhouse casual wear is permitted.

Simply put most places would sweat for a little outsider business these days. We do decent food in our place, imagine refusing people because they are in jeans and t-shirts...

No, that's prehistoric private golf club nonsense.

Proper attire on the course, casual wear in the clubhouse. That's my feelings on it, and thankfully where I am that is what is allowed.


And in fairness the only golf clubs that would in force a tie during meals or upon entry to the clubhouse, or in some cases blazers, are the sort of pre historic dinosaur clubs that breed

• Prejudice against Juvenile and female golfers
• Empower the Golfing snobbery stereotype

Seen it first hand at a few clubs, and would totally turn me off every going again, and ensuring I don't recommend them to friends. The condascending in which I was addressed by member simply because I was under the age of 18, despite the clubs hosting very prestigious Juvenille events, was shocking.

I have a pretty strong opinion on it, because its such a turn off for some many people. Not wanting to get into the snobby crowd, the stereotype and all that bollox.

Granted I used to wear runners all the time anyway, and I was never pulled up on it, cause it was just a bit of common sense, then the club changed its dress code to allow casual wear in clubhouse. Progressive thinking, not holding onto the ancient traditions of the private gentleman's club.

Almaviva

TheDoc wrote: »

Personally have no time for that sort of snobbery.

Proper attire on the course, casual wear in the clubhouse.

But you are making the same mistake. : against snobbery, but stating that you want 'proper' attire on the course. Who decides what 'proper' is. You ? Or each individual ? Golf is not like football or skiing where identification of teams or practical protection from the elements is essential. There is no such need in golf. In the 19th century men played in jackets and ties, your game wouldnt be affected if you played in the nip either. So the only 'proper' attire is someone elses decision of how they want to see you.

If you have no time for snobbery, let people wear what they wish.

Jaysoose

Almaviva wrote: »

Of course, any club is free to decide how they are going to dress if they wish, and impose that on visitors if they wish.

But, I am totally against any dress code whatsoever, and would prefer to be a member of a club that did not have one.
It all stems from the old class system where your clothes signalled your position in the social structure. And has hung on in the, generally, conservative and upper social milieu of golf clubs (yes I know everyone plays golf these days, but, customs, particularly ones displaying elitism or superiority are slow to change) .
Those hanging on to the more 'relaxed' code of for example no football shirts, or no jeans, are only kidding themselves. The syndrome is the same as the blazer and tie stipulation for the dining room. Just with the line drawn in a different place.
Golf is a social and lesiure activity, and I find it odd that someone should feel he can object to having to see me on the course wearing a collarless tee shirt and cut-off jeans.

Having said all that, I only wear trousers made by my Saville Row tailor in Egyptian cotton sateen, my shirts are a polo style, in a silk/cotton blend of my own specification (all in Titian blue) and made in Paris (the only city in the world one can get polo shirts made with any distinction), and my shoes are hand made in Milan to lasts which they hold for me and update every two years to ensure a perfect fit. But thats just my own preference and I dont believe anyone should be able to object to me dressing as I choose.

This is just reverse snobbery in fairness, the majority of clubs have relaxed the rules around dress codes so some of the more extreme examples are figments of peoples imaginations and not a true reflection of what is the norm in most clubs.

Why would you refuse to join a club based on the fact that you refuse to not wear football tops and jeans..would the driving factors for joining not be the course itself, proximity to your house, value for money factor or just wanting to improve at the game.

Its kinda sad to hear people say they wouldnt join clubs based on something like this, everybody knows that the majority of clubs look for chino's and polo shirts on the course and in some cases a more relaxed approach in the club house its not like they are targetting individuals its a rule for everybody..

Why anybody would want to play in jean and a football top is beyond me anyway...get a hot day and those jeans would be stuck to after the turn.

Benny Cake

Don't see the problem really. If you have an issue with an aspect of a clubs dresscode, simply avoid the place. There are dresscodes in countless bars & restaurants around the country & they seem to operate without any real hassle....

TheDoc

Almaviva wrote: »

But you are making the same mistake. : against snobbery, but stating that yoi want 'proper' attire on the course. Who decide what 'proper' is. You ? Or each individual ? Golf is not like football or skiing where identification of teams or practical protection from the elements is essential. There is no such need in golf. In the 19th century men played in jackets and ties, your game wouldnt be affected if you played in the nip either. So the only 'proper' attire is someone else decision of you they want to see you.

If you have no time for snobbery, let people wear what they wish.

There is a difference. There is the attire that is deemed as a fitting representation for the sport.

Footballers wouldn't be allowed wear tank tops and 3/4 lengths.

Hurlers arnt allowed wear shin guards.

Rugby players arnt allowed wear shoulder pads.

While all of the above might be deemed more comfortable, safer and preferred, there is a representation of the image of the game.

Golf has a representation and image while the game is played.

Slacks or tailored shorts.
collared t-shirt
polo neck t-shirt-long sleeve.
Golf shoes

This isn't snobbery, this is accepting the attire that you have to wear whilst playing the game. I dont particularly want to fork out the €60 for a Club Jumper, but if I'm representing the club then I know its required, its our kit, its our club colours.

There is a difference between what is required when playing the game to uphold the games image of attire and visual representation, to what you wear in the clubhouse when having a pint or dinner.

Personally, I wouldn't actually give a toss what anyone wore when playing golf. The game should be encouraged to be played and for those that enjoy it to partake. But at the same time I can see and accept the request of attire whilst playing golf.

And in the current modern era, with so much choice in terms of lighter cooler materials to t-shirts and trousers, choice of colours and designs and basically specifically designed golf clothing to ensure your comfort while playing. Its not like we are stuck with heavy cotton baggy trousers tucked into knee socks.

Although I definitely wouldn't appreciate being denied entry to a clubhouse on the basis of not having a tie or a blazer. And to be fair, what clubs really enforce a strict formal dress code? Most clubs are screaming for patrons in their clubhouses and money. Sure even the KClub has slashed its membership to like €2000 or something for yearly membership(on one of the courses) and appended its clubhouse dress code to entice the more common golfer to their track.

As a matter of genuine interest, is anyone here a member of a club that has a really strict, formal dress code for clubhouse patronage?

Almaviva

Jaysoose wrote: »

Why would you refuse to join a club based on the fact that you refuse to not wear football tops and jeans

Is a serious misreading of my post.
I didnt say I would refuse to join a club with a restriction on wearing football tops or jeans (as it happens my club does prohibit those garments on the course).
Nor did I say that I refuse to not wear football tops and jeans.

Just that i would prefer there was no such restriction on those who want to wear them being permitted to wear them.

Jaysoose wrote: »

This is just reverse snobbery in fairness

So no snobbery. It is the placing of restrictions that is rooted in snobbery.

Jaysoose wrote: »

Why anybody would want to play in jean and a football top is beyond me anyway...get a hot day and those jeans would be stuck to after the turn.

So dont wear them. I dont either (hot in jeans alright, but nothing practical against a football shirt). But dont think I have a right to restrict others from wearing them just because I choose not to myself.

Almaviva

TheDoc wrote: »

There is the attire that is deemed as a fitting representation for the sport.

Deemed by who? You. Yes. And many others also. Which is fine for you, and I have no objection to you wearing that.
But similarly, there are many others do not agree that there is any such thing as a 'fitting attire' and they should be free to dress as they please. Why does one group feel entitled to impose on others what they 'deem' fitting ? There is no one out their trying to impose jeans and tee shirt wearing as obligatory on the chino/poly shirt brigade.

TheDoc

Almaviva wrote: »

Deemed by who? You. Yes. And many others also. Which is fine for you, and I have no objection to you wearing that.

Well actually imposed by the officials of a golf course. Not by players. Each club has a very visible description of what is deemed as acceptable as golfing attire while playing the course.

This point is really not for debate in my view, and I don’t get the point your making. Every sport requires a certain attire for playing, and golf is no different. Its only different in providing so much range and choice.

But similarly, there are many others do not agree that there is any such thing as a 'fitting attire' and they should be free to dress as they please.

That’s fine, they can play the public courses that allow any type of clothing during play. But they simply have to adhere to club policy on course attire. Like I said I don’t personally mind, but I can see why its important and should be upheld. I don’t look down on someone that would be playing in jeans and a jersey, but I think its silly since EVERYONE know what golfing attire is. I don’t wear jeans playing football, so why in golf?

Why does one group feel entitled to impose on others what they 'deem' fitting ? There is no one out their trying to impose jeans and tee shirt wearing as obligatory on the chino/poly shirt brigade.

I think you need to chill out Ché. Nobody is imposing anything on anyone. If you want to play golf in jeans and a jersey, then there is plenty of public courses, par3’s, pitch n putt and driving ranges. If you want to play in a club that has a certain policy on attire while playing the course, then that is really the end of it.

Dun laoire

Was down playing Wicklow yesterday and saw a fella in jeans and must admit it did bother me a little bit but i'm not sure why? Strange that

Miley Byrne

TheDoc wrote: »

Hurlers arnt allowed wear shin guards.

Rugby players arnt allowed wear shoulder pads.

Where did you hear that? I think you'll find you can wear both.

TheDoc

denisoc16 wrote: »

Where did you hear that? I think you'll find you can wear both.

While not officially a rule, most clubs have an unofficial policy that its not allowed, to "upkeep the image"

Benny Cake

TheDoc wrote: »

While not officially a rule, most clubs have an unofficial policy that its not allowed, to "upkeep the image"

Rubbish

dak

Heres something I found on the net!



Originally, golf was aimed at socializing, especially among upper class families. Therefore, dress codes were established to appeal to the social elite.



Back then (and even in many places today), the standard golfing garb for women was a blouse, jacket (soon replaced by a knit cardigan sweater) and a floor length skirt; men were required to wear long pants with a shirt and jacket. Slowly, the outfits evolved a little to be more functional for the game and slightly more fashionable. With more sophisticated fabrics and design, both men and women golfers started to actually look pretty good!


Even still nowadays, most golf courses require that golfers wear a collared shirt, appropriate shoes, socks and – heaven forbid – no denim jeans.
But there is a good reason for mandatory golf dress. Running a golf club is a business and in order to set a good impression, both the golf course and members should look good. This will help keep existing clientele and attract new members to their establishment.


So should we be surprised or disappointed to have a dress code on golf courses? Many sports have dress codes too for a variety of reasons, practical, social, security (soccer:knee length socks, shirt tucked in, cleated shoes…martial arts: with the white gi etc…baseball, football, tennis…)

Boskowski

Common sense should prevail as usual.
I wouldn't want to go over the top but at the same time I wouldn't want guys with track suit bottoms and hoodies or footie jerseys on the course or in the bar.
If you can't make a tiny bit of effort play somewhere else please. That also applies to general on and off course attitude.

Daidy2011

dak wrote: »

Played Old Portmarnock years ago on a very hot June day with my Father in Law (RIP) . I was smartly dressed with chinos and a short sleeved shirt but was stopped going into the members bar at lunchtime until the Caddy master found me a tie and blazer to wear ... what a load of poppyc**k . I wasn't impressed especially on such a hot day !

Same thing happened to me in The Hermitage albeit it was a good number of years ago so they may have changed their policy since.

Anatom

TheDoc wrote: »

Hurlers arnt allowed wear shin guards.

Rugby players arnt allowed wear shoulder pads.

This IS true - rugby players are not allowed wear shoulder pads. They can wear shoulder strapping, but not pads. There's no aesthetic reason for this - its purely a safety measure. In a physical game like rugby, anything attached to the body can be ripped off or twisted, possibly causing harm to the player so they don't allow it.

I'm not sure about the hurling and shin guards thing. I always thought it was just because hurlers who wore them were considered sissies by those who didn't...

Back to the golf though...
The reason the knee length socks with shorts rule came in was - as with most rules of etiquette - for solid reasons of practicality. AFAIK, when golf expanded overseas at the end of the 1800s and into the early 1900s, it did so initially to the "colonies" which tended to be a tad hotter than this part of the world. So, when out slicing the gutta percha into, literally, the bush, the last thing you needed was to be scratched and bitten by the little and not-so-little nasties lurking therein. Hence the high socks. It does look a little ridiculous in this day and age, but I played golf in a pair of shorts and short socks last week and my ankles are still swollen from the bites.

I also tried playing golf (late on a Sunday evening, just a couple of holes on my own sort of thing) in a pair of jeans recently. Basically, I was just too lazy to change into trousers, seeing as I was only going out for about 40 mins or so. Jesus, I don't know how anyone could play comfortably in them...

Regarding football jerseys - They look daft anywhere except at a football match or when you're watching your favourite team at a game or in the pub. Otherwise, they look awful. (Yes, I do realise how that makes me sound, but I'm of an age now where I just don't care). I do have one, but I use it for gardening or actually playing football.

Anyway, rules of dress are there, as someone already said, for the good of the whole membership. It does keep standards together - not up or down - and hopefully not for any snobbish reasons. It makes you feel better as a member. Its about respect - for yourself and your fellow members. It makes you appreciate you spending your increasingly hard-earned money on something that you can value. Of course, the blazer and tie in the dining room rubbish is largely gone - and so it should be - but that's not to say that we should be happy to let those standards slip. They're for the good of all the members. If some people don't like it, well they have the opportunity to take their custom elsewhere...

Dtoffee

I think its a mute argument as for me its about respect. If I am going to play a club where jacket and tie are required, then I respect their right to make that decision and I duly wear the correct attire.

I have no problem with respecting the clubs right to make their own rules on dresscode. Why should non members get involved?

Anatom

Dtoffee wrote: »

I think its a mute argument as for me its about respect. If I am going to play a club where jacket and tie are required, then I respect their right to make that decision and I duly wear the correct attire.

I have no problem with respecting the clubs right to make their own rules on dresscode. Why should non members get involved?

Exactly!!

leedslunatic

ssbob wrote: »

the majority of the time the guy who doesn't take care when dressing is not going to repair divots and not going to repair pitch marks

Utter rubbish.

One of the clubs I happen to be a member of has a fairly relaxed dress code. I often play wearing a soccer jersey, and find myself raking the bunkers and repairing the divots/pitch marks left by earlier groups, quite regularly as well as all of my own.

If the club had a problem with soccer jerseys, I wouldn't wear one. But the notion that the clothes you wear determine your behaviour, is absolutely ridiculous.

MP62

leedslunatic wrote: »

Utter rubbish.

One of the clubs I happen to be a member of has a fairly relaxed dress code. I often play wearing a soccer jersey, and find myself raking the bunkers and repairing the divots/pitch marks left by earlier groups, quite regularly as well as all of my own.

If the club had a problem with soccer jerseys, I wouldn't wear one. But the notion that the clothes you wear determine your behaviour, is absolutely ridiculous.

Weirdo, why do you wear a soccer jersey playing golf?, next you'll tell us you wear golf shoes playing soccer!.

leedslunatic

MP62 wrote: »

Weirdo, why do you wear a soccer jersey playing golf?, next you'll tell us you wear golf shoes playing soccer!.

If you spotted someone on a golf course wearing a soccer jersey would you approach them and call them a weirdo? Or is that kind of bravery just something you just reserve for internet forums?

If you took the bother to read my post, that particular club employs a relaxed dress code... So I have the freedom to chose to wear whatever I please.

The ignorance of your post is kinda funny actually :rolleyes:.

MP62

leedslunatic wrote: »

MP62 wrote: »

Weirdo, why do you wear a soccer jersey playing golf?, next you'll tell us you wear golf shoes playing soccer!.

If you spotted someone on a golf course wearing a soccer jersey would you approach them and call them a weirdo? Or is that kind of bravery just something you just reserve for internet forums?

If you took the bother to read my post, that particular club employs a relaxed dress code... So I have the freedom to chose to wear whatever I please.

The ignorance of your post is kinda funny actually :rolleyes:.

Do you wear tracky bottoms too?.

leedslunatic

MP62 wrote: »

Do you wear tracky bottoms too?.

Go on... I'l bite...
Why are you so interested in what I wear?? :eek: