Hats and thongs in clubhouses, no collars on the course, yes or no?Are traditional golf club dress rules and regulations outdated? | Inside Golf. Australia’s Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers

BUNKER-TO-BUNKER… Inside Golf writers have their say!

By Michael Davis

The late Jack Newton always spoke his mind on most matters including his disdain for golf writers. 

His keynote address at one of the annual writers’ dinners was legendary for its brevity and frankness.

We were all the richer for Jack’s brutally honest opinions and moved on.

To be fair, once he turned his hand to commentary and writing, Jack brilliantly outshone the ne’er-do-wells in the press room.

He was often asked to ruminate on how the game could be improved.

And somewhat surprisingly, one of his pet hates, even back then, was the ridiculous dress codes clubs imposed on golfers.

He said something like, ‘You’ve got blokes on the door wearing a $20 pair of pants stopping a kid from entering because he’s wearing a pair of jeans worth $200 or more. It’s a joke.’

But we are still not sure whether clothing is suitable for golf depends on what it costs. As for thongs and collarless shirts being allowed in the clubhouse, this would be the thin end of the wedge. Tell, me too, if you think good old-fashioned politeness in removing your cap or hat inside is too much to ask.

So, by all means, dress smartly, flamboyantly and comfortably – just as Newton, Bob Shearer, Stewart Ginn, Rodger Davis and Stanley did in their heyday. Sure, they raised a few eyebrows with their 1970’s fashion sense. But they always looked great and played superbly.

By Peter Owen

WHEN I was a kid, people got dressed up to go to the races, the football, even to go shopping. And when I say dressed up, I mean women donned their best outfits and men wore suits and ties and, almost always, a hat.

Nobody does that, now. Times change, expectations adjust, and we now live in a world where dress standards are far more relaxed and casual.

Golf clubs, however, have been a little slower than the rest of the community to catch on. There’s nothing wrong with that – nor is there anything wrong with wanting to maintain a level of dress standard that reflects the traditions and etiquette of the game of golf.

But golf clubs are no longer just for golfers. At the club where I play, we have a highly successful mini-golf facility, which attracts a clientele quite different from the normal cohort of members.

Doffing a cap in the clubhouse, for example, and wearing a collared shirt makes no sense to these people – and they give no real thought to these quaint sartorial customs of ours. 

And, to the credit of our club officials, nor do they insist that the dress rules, which apply to regular members, are followed by this new – and, make no mistake, very welcome – group of customers.

It is appropriate that golf clubs maintain reasonable standards. Nobody’s going to quibble with rules that specify neat, clean clothing and appropriate footwear – particularly in the evening.

But the evolution of dress standards in golf clubs, as in the general community, is as relentless and inevitable as night follows day. And none of us are going to be worse off because of it.

By Michael Court

SERIOUSLY, where will it all end?

They’ll be wearing shorts in the members’ enclosure at the Melbourne Cup next!

What’s that? They already are?

Then maybe I am a dinosaur.

I’ve always regarded golf as a sport that had a touch of class about it . . . and was quite entitled to boast about that as well.

Our sport has almost always made people want to dress up and look the part . . . and subsequently their play might improve along with that.

Remember that old cliché: If you can’t play like a decent golfer, then at least try to look like one.

Yes, time has changed a lot of things in recent years and golf hasn’t been untouchable.

When we allowed coloured socks on our private course, little did we know how things would, well, deteriorate.

Now players are wearing black socks and suddenly their shirts are no longer tucked in as well.

What’s next camouflage shorts?

I do seriously think that if we drop our standards now, then they will continue to plummet.

If someone turns up with a collarless shirt, black socks and board shorts, I’m not sure they should be welcomed with open arms.

Now, I’m not saying they should be sent home – or worse still – sent a letter suggesting they weren’t invited back.

I’m sure most pro shops would be happy to sell them a golf shirt with a collar and a pair of white socks . . . and they probably cost less than the round of golf.

Or better yet, take off your hat – it’s not sunny inside the clubhouse – and head inside for a beer.

And for Pete’s sake put some shoes on . . . we’re not in Queensland!

By Larry Canning

This question is based on a set of standards that were set back before Old Tom Morris was flailing away at a ball made from leather, while wearing a three-piece suit and smoking a pipe. Back then your standing in society was based on how much tweed was in your suit and if your tobacco was imported from Cuba or scraped off the ground from the nearest stables.

Dress regulations were devised as a way to separate the brazen rapscallions from the pompous twats and sadly we still use them as a way to measure where our club fits on the socio economic status gauge.

In a totally indiscriminate “John Lennon world”, it shouldn’t matter a …. what your wearing but in reality its definitely a problem and I’m not sure there’s a current equitable answer.

Many of my mates in positions of authority at their respective clubs have a clear understanding for the need to soften the clubhouse dress codes but they fear it might drip over to the course regulations. And yes… that does sound somewhat ironic, doesn’t it?

I’ll leave you with this – I have been the professional at three clubs that have staged large junior golf tournaments and each and every kid is dressed immaculately! More often than not, void of expensive designer labels, just stuff you can buy at Big W.  

My opinion is – If kids, or their parents can afford appropriate gear from Woollies, then why can’t the grown-ups?

What do you think? Email comments to rob@insidegolf.com.au