Every golfer remembers their first tournament, and whilst everyone hopes to perform well, the experience itself is what truly makes the occasion memorable, so no matter how good or bad you’re playing, just remember to embrace the atmosphere and remind yourself of how lucky you are to be playing at a tournament!
The build-up to a tournament is always an anxious time, you’re trying to get everything prepared for the tournament, as well as having to organize your travel and accommodation for the tournament, and don’t forget that you’ll need to remember all of your clothing and equipment too!
Speaking of which, what do people wear at a golf tournament? Obviously, spectators have a loose code on what they should wear, but what about players?
Well, if you want to know more about what to wear at a golf tournament, then keep reading on, as we’ll teach you everything you need to know about what to wear at a golf tournament!
Dress Codes
Whilst we’ll go on to discuss the general rules about what you should, and should not, wear to a golf tournament, it is worth noting that most tournaments will likely have their own rules and individual dress codes depending on the level of golf that is being played.
A local tournament amongst amateurs and hobby players is going to have a lot less strict dress code in comparison to a tournament like the PGA Tour will, and if you’re ever unsure about whether or not a particular item of clothing is going to be acceptable to wear whilst on the course, then you should always get in touch with the organizers, who should be able to advise you accordingly.
With that out of the way, ‘let’s take a look at some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to what to wear to a golf tournament!
Collared Shirts
A staple item of golfing clothing, a collared shirt is arguably the most important item of clothing you can own when it comes to playing in a golfing tournament, and the dress code guidelines will typically suggest that all players, both male, and female, wear collared shirts throughout the duration of the tournament.
If you’re an avid golfer already, then chances are that you’ll already have a couple of collared shirts that you reach for on a regular basis, so you’ll want to make sure that they’ve been washed and dried and are packed neatly into your luggage.
Comfort is one of the keys to success on the golf course, so wearing clothes that you’re used to playing in will help you to relax and acclimatize to the course much quicker than wearing all-new clothing, which might have tags and labels that you didn’t know were there, and they can prove to be a massive distraction throughout the tournament!
Female players are also advised not to wear anything too cropped throughout the tournament, especially anything that exposes their midriff or has too much of an opening in the front, so if you’re ever unsure, just stick to a standard collared shirt.
Khakis And Slacks
When it comes to most golf tournaments, you’ll find that shorts aren’t accepted, and neither is denim, especially if it happens to be a PGA tournament!
So when it’s time to compete, you’ll want to ensure that you have an appropriate pair of pants to wear on the course.
For men, slacks or khakis are usually the typical recommendations, and will ensure that you’re comfortable on the course, and also look the part too.
Whether this rule stands depends entirely on the tournament you’re playing in, however, and sometimes even depends on whether or not the round you’re playing is a competitive one.
As we previously mentioned, if you’re unsure, simply contact the organizers.
Skirts, Skorts, And Shorts
For the women participating in a tournament, there is also the option to wear either a skirt, a skort, or a pair of shorts.
However, you should note that there are often strict limits on the length of these items, so you should ensure that if you do plan on wearing one of these options, the length of the item is in accordance with the guidelines set out by the tournament’s organizers.
Pants and slacks still remain the recommended options, as they’ll tend to provide the best comfort and support right the way through the tournament.
And much like the men, wearing any form of joggers or denim pants is strictly prohibited.
Shoes
When playing in a golf tournament, you want to ensure that you’re going to be as comfortable as possible for all 18 holes, so you want to make sure that the footwear you have is going to be supportive and comfortable, as you’re going to be on your feet for most of the day, there are a few different rules, however.
You need to be wearing proper golf shoes, however, many courses will no longer golf shoes with metal studs, as they’re prone to damaging the course, so you’ll need to ensure that your shoes have soft spikes or rubber studs in order to help you get enough grip on the course without causing any damage!
Hats
Lastly, hats are a common sight on golf courses, and you’ll need one if you’re going to be playing in the sun all day, it’ll help keep the sun out of your eyes, and will also prevent from your scalp burning too, and whilst there aren’t many restrictions on the hats you can wear, it’s probably best to leave the cowboy hat at home!
Summary
As you can see, the dress code for golf tournaments isn’t complicated, and the idea is to come looking presentable and smartly dressed whilst remaining comfortable enough to play a round of golf.
Thanks for reading, we hoped it helped!
Hi, my name is Garratt Shmidt and I have been playing golf in my spare time for almost a decade.
Before I found a passion for golf, I didn’t see the appeal. I thought it was slow, repetitive, and quite frankly boring.
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