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.
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)
