What to Wear When Golfing
Shooting the lowest score each time you’re on the links takes a combination of physical training and mental focus. Like clothing for other sports, golf attire is built to wick sweat, increase mobility, maintain comfort, and support the kinds of movements you’ll need on the course.
Golf is a highly mental sport, and confidence often means the difference between hitting par and choking. Looking good on the course can give you the confidence boost you need to stay in the zone. Before you can find the best golf clothing for your needs, you’ll need to know what golfers generally wear. Here’s a quick overview.
Men’s Golf Outfits
Men's golf apparel typically includes polo shirts, athletic sweaters or vests, and slim-fitting slacks or shorts. Each of these should be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods outside. Many golfers also wear a golf cap or visor to keep the sun out of their eyes. There’s also a huge variety of men’s golf shoes to choose from. Golf cleats with spikes provide more traction, while golf shoes without spikes offer greater flexibility and comfort. Because golf shoes provide stability to support your swing, they’re arguably the most important piece of golf gear for performance.
Women’s Golf Clothing
The extended skirts and buttoned-up shirts from the past are still popular, but they’re no longer the sole option for women's golfing attire. Nowadays, female golfers can choose from a range of clothing that encompasses a wide variety of styles, including sleeved and sleeveless polo shirts, golf skorts, golf shorts, athletic dresses, and visors. Regardless of what you pick, choosing golf apparel that doesn’t restrict your swing is vital. Comfort is also key, as scratchy or stiff fabrics can distract you at just the wrong moment and break your focus.
Articles of Golf Clothing
Golf Shirts & Tops
Golf tops are built for comfort, flexibility, and appearance. When selecting a golf top, it’s imperative to evaluate the fit, style, and material to your preference and what is allowed on the course you’re playing. An appropriately fitting golf top enables free movement, doesn’t impede your swing, and is usually slim-fitting but not tight.
Several golf top styles are available, including collared golf shirts like polos and button-ups and outerwear like vests and sweaters. They’re typically made from breathable fabrics that enable airflow and wick away sweat during hot weather. They’re also flexible enough that they won’t restrict your swing.
Golf tops are usually made from one of these fabrics:
Polyester: Polyester is a common material because it’s lightweight, durable, and breathable. Its flexible, stretchy fibers offer a comfortable range of motion.
Cotton: Cotton isn’t as good at wicking moisture as polyester, but it’s extremely soft and comfortable. Cotton sweaters can be great for colder rounds in the year’s later months.
Performance Blends: These blended materials combine fibers like polyester, cotton, and spandex. They typically offer the benefits of both component fibers. For example, a cotton-polyester blend will combine the softness of cotton with the breathability of polyester.
The material you pick should be comfortable and keep you dry when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. If you live in an area with hot Summers or harsh Winters, it’s worth having a mix of different materials so you’re prepared for any conditions.
Golf Pants, Shorts & Skirts
Golf pants and shorts have the comfort and flexibility you need to hit straight drives on every tee box. They’re typically made from the same materials as golf tops, though they may be a little thicker. Many golf shorts have a shorter inseam than conventional shorts to make sure they don’t interfere with your swing. When picking golf skirts, pants, or shorts, consider their texture, fit, and length. They should be soft and flexible, with a snug and comfortable fit. Make sure your golf skirt or shorts aren’t too short or long. They should give you enough coverage without restricting your movement.
Choosing Golf Shoes
Golf shoes are almost as important to your game as a full set of clubs, and they give you the grip and stability for a perfect swing. They often have wide soles to improve your footing and are designed to help your feet pivot naturally.
When choosing golf shoes, consider factors like the course conditions, the weather, and your personal preferences. Here are a few factors that are important to keep in mind when selecting golf shoes:
Spikes vs. Spikeless: Traditional golf shoes have circular spikes made of metal or hard plastic on the sole, commonly called soft spikes. These spikes provide improved traction and stability on the course, but they’re not safe to wear off the course and may be less comfortable than other shoes. Today, many golfers favor spikeless golf shoes, which can be safely worn off-course and have a more relaxed appearance while still providing traction throughout your swing.
Material: Golf shoes can be made from a range of materials, but traditional leather is the most popular. Leather shoes are more durable and offer better support than synthetic materials, though they require special care to maintain. Golf shoes are also available in synthetic leather and mesh.
Comfort: Golf shoes must be comfortable enough to walk around in for long periods, with ample cushioning and support. Uncomfortable shoes can make it impossible to focus enough for a good swing and may even cause injuries over time. It’s helpful to try on different shoes and walk around in them to ensure a proper fit.
Golf Accessories
Picking the right golf accessories can significantly improve your comfort, style, and performance on the green. Various options are available, but gloves, belts, socks, hats, and visors are the most common.
Gloves: Golf gloves are designed to help improve your grip on the club. They offer extra precision and support for your swing.
Belts: Most golf pants and shorts are designed with belt loops, and some golf skirts are as well. Ensure your golf belt is flexible enough not to restrict your movement, but tight enough to stay firmly in place. A belt that matches your shoes can create a put-together look.
Socks: Golf socks cushion your feet and prevent blisters, so they’re hugely important for completing a round. Make sure to wear absorbent socks in sweat-wicking fabrics to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Hats, Visors, and Sunglasses: If you’ve tried for a westward drive on a Summer afternoon, you know why keeping the sun out of your eyes is important. Golf hats, visors, and sunglasses shield your eyes and can improve your visibility on sunny days so you never misread a shot.
What to Avoid Wearing on the Golf Course
To show your respect for the sport of golf and the clubs that host your rounds, it’s important to know what you can and can’t wear on the course ahead of time. Many clubs have a golf dress code you’ll need to follow on the course. Before you head out for a round, call ahead or check the course’s website for their guidelines, and make sure to bring an outfit that fits the club’s dress code and makes you feel good. Even if the club you’re going to doesn’t have specific rules laid out, you should still follow the unspoken golf dress code on the course. Avoid wearing overly-casual clothing like denim, graphic T-shirts, tank tops, gym shorts, or anything overly revealing like leggings. Doing so is often considered disrespectful to the golf club, its members, and the sport itself.
Joggers were historically frowned on because they’re very casual, but they’ve become more acceptable in recent years. Golf attire manufacturers are even creating formal jogger pants that are suited for the game. It’s always best to double-check with the club before wearing joggers to avoid any issues. Wearing the appropriate attire on the golf course will convey seriousness and respect, and other players will respect you in turn.
Your Ideal Golf Outfit
It can take time to choose the right golf clothing and accessories, and it’s not enough to consider performance, comfort, and functionality. Golf can be as much of a psychological game as a physical one. Golf demands precision and focus, and the right clothing and accessories can help you achieve that. Wearing the right golf clothing can help improve your performance, confidence, and comfort, and help you stay focused throughout your game.
