Putter & Tweed

Hole 4 · Since 1900

Golf dress code: what clubs ask for and why

Twentieth-century club rules, now easing

Most golf clubs ask for a collared shirt, trousers or tailored shorts, and no denim. The rules came from club tradition as much as from the game itself, and they are easing: shorts are everywhere, trainers are common, and some clubs now offer guidance instead of a fixed code.

Dorothy Campbell in 1909, swinging in a long skirt, fitted jacket, collar and hat
Dorothy Campbell in 1909, swinging in a long skirt, fitted jacket, collar and hat. Library of Congress, Bain News Service. Public domain. Source.

What it solved on the course

A dress code told players what to wear so they looked and felt like they belonged at the club, kept standards consistent between members and visitors, and settled the everyday question of what counts as proper golf attire.

History

Golf's dress code grew out of the clubhouse and the course rather than any single rule book. In years gone by, most clubs set clear guidelines on what members and guests could wear, and at the most prestigious venues that meant a collared shirt, trousers and certainly not jeans. Shorts were allowed in hot weather, but only with knee-high socks. Those rules did two jobs at once: they kept play orderly, and they marked the club out as a certain kind of place.

The collared shirt at the center of every code has its own story (see the golf polo). What matters here is that the collar became the line clubs drew between golf clothes and everything else.

Codes have loosened since. Shorts are permitted on almost every course, and some venues ask for tailored shorts rather than knee-high socks. Many clubs no longer publish a definitive dress code at all, offering guidance instead. Trainers are widely accepted because modern golf shoes are basically trainers. Some golfers still argue that a code preserves the game's identity; others call it outdated. Either way, codes are getting shorter.

Alex Smith driving in shirt and tie in 1908, watched by a gallery in jackets, hats and long dresses
Alex Smith driving in shirt and tie in 1908, watched by a gallery in jackets, hats and long dresses. Library of Congress, Bain News Service. Public domain. Source.

Who wore it best

  • Ralph Lauren

    His 1972 Polo line put the collared knit shirt in every wardrobe, and the collar is the one item almost every club still asks for.[1]

How to dress for it now

  1. Check the club's website or ring ahead before you travel; a two-minute call saves a wasted trip and an awkward conversation at the bag drop.
  2. Start with a collared polo in a breathable fabric. It clears the requirement at nearly every course and works with everything else in your bag.
  3. Choose tailored shorts or trousers with a belt. Leave the cargo shorts and the denim at home.
  4. Skip the hoodie on the course and take your cap off indoors. Both are still asked for at plenty of clubhouses.
  5. Trainers are usually fine if they are modern golf shoes. Ask about the spike policy if you play a traditional course.
  6. Keep a spare collared shirt in the car. It is the one item a club is most likely to ask you to change into.

Where to buy

New

Links open the shop's own site. Some may earn us a commission.

Sources

  1. Polo shirt, Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  2. Golf Dress Code History, Golf Digest / Golf Monthly. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  3. Women's Golf Fashion History, Golf Monthly / Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-09-29.

Updated .