Golf attire: what to wear on the course
In this guide
Golf is one of the few sports where what you wear is written into a dress code and checked at the pro shop counter. It usually arrives as a social plan, a first tee time with colleagues, a round at a friend's club or a charity scramble, and the rules vary from a relaxed municipal course to a strict private club, so the question of what to wear on a golf course comes up fast.
Golf attire follows a clear pattern, and most people already own something close. This guide covers what the typical dress code asks for, outfits for men and women, shoes, dressing for heat, cold and rain, and what to wear if you do not have any golf clothes yet.
What the golf dress code usually says
Golf dress codes are set by each course, not by the rules of golf, but they follow a recognizable pattern. A typical private club code, such as the one published by Quail Ridge Country Club, requires collared shirts for men, allows women collared shirts, collarless golf shirts or sleeveless golf shirts with a collar, permits mock neck shirts, and bans T shirts, tank tops, bathing suits and blue jeans. Shorts must be Bermuda or walking length, not more than 4 inches above the knee, and the same limit applies to skirts and skorts. Cargo, denim, jogging and tennis shorts are out, men must tuck in their shirts, and hats must face forward.
Public and resort courses are usually more relaxed; some allow T shirts or clean sneakers. Private clubs are the strictest, and the dress code often extends to the driving range and practice green. The pro shop can refuse play to anyone who does not meet the code, so if you are unsure, read the course website or call ahead. When you are a guest at a club, ask your host, who will know the unwritten rules as well as the written ones.
Golf attire for men
The standard outfit is a polo shirt tucked into tailored golf pants or shorts, with a belt and golf shoes. Performance polos in polyester blends wick sweat and stretch with the swing, while cotton piqué polos look classic but get heavy when damp. A quarter zip pullover or a fine sweater goes on top when it is cool. Mock neck shirts, which have a short stand up collar instead of a folded one, are accepted at many courses, including the club code above, but not all.
For bottoms, choose flat front golf pants or chinos in stretch cotton or synthetic fabric, or shorts that end near the knee. Navy, gray, khaki, white and olive are safe, and a patterned or brightly colored polo is traditional on the course. Our guide to types of pants explains how golf pants differ from ordinary chinos, and tucking in a shirt neatly helps, since many courses require it for men.
Golf attire for women
Women have more options, and most dress codes give them more latitude. A collared polo, a sleeveless top with a collar or a collarless shirt designed for golf are all widely accepted, and shirts may be worn untucked if they are cut to be worn that way. Bottoms can be golf pants, ankle length pants, shorts, a skort (a skirt with built in shorts) or a golf dress, usually with a length limit of a few inches above the knee.
Spaghetti straps, regular tank tops, crop tops and very short skirts are the items most often excluded. A practical outfit for a beginner is a fitted polo or collared sleeveless top, a skort or tailored shorts in a stretch fabric, a visor or cap and golf shoes or clean sneakers. Leggings are allowed under skorts at many courses and on their own at some, but check first. For cooler rounds, a quarter zip or a lightweight vest keeps the arms free for the swing.
Golf shoes and spikes
Golf shoes give grip on grass and slopes, and they protect the greens. Metal spikes are banned almost everywhere because they tear the putting surface, so modern golf shoes use either soft plastic cleats or spikeless soles with molded nubs. Spikeless shoes look more like sneakers and can be worn off the course, while soft spike shoes grip better on wet grass and hills.
Many courses, including the club code above, also accept tennis shoes or clean athletic sneakers, which is useful for beginners. Running shoes with smooth soles slip on dewy grass, so choose a sneaker with a flatter, grippier sole if you can. Sandals, boots and heels are not appropriate on the course. White golf shoes pick up grass stains quickly, and our guide to cleaning white sneakers works for them too.
| Item | Usually fine | Usually not allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | Collared polos, mock necks, collared sleeveless tops for women | T shirts, tank tops, crop tops, spaghetti straps |
| Bottoms | Golf pants, chinos, shorts near the knee, skorts, golf dresses | Denim, cargo, gym and tennis shorts, very short skirts |
| Shoes | Soft spike or spikeless golf shoes, clean grippy sneakers at many courses | Metal spikes, sandals, boots, heels |
| Hats and layers | Caps worn forward, visors, quarter zips, sweater vests | Caps backward; hoodies at many private clubs |
Each course sets its own code, so check the website or call the pro shop.
Dressing for sun, heat, cold and rain
A round lasts four hours or more in the open, so dress for the whole stretch. In heat, choose light colors and breathable performance fabrics, shorts where allowed, a cap or wide brimmed hat and sunscreen; our guide to dressing for 90 degree weather covers staying cool. Sun sleeves or long sleeve sun shirts are a comfortable alternative to reapplying sunscreen on the arms.
When it is cool, layer: a base layer, a polo, then a quarter zip, sweater vest or fleece, with a windproof or waterproof shell in your bag. Layers you can remove between holes are better than one heavy coat that restricts your swing. For wet days, a waterproof jacket and pants, waterproof golf shoes and a spare glove make a round bearable, and our guide to what to wear in the rain has more on waterproof layers.
What to wear to golf if you do not have golf clothes
Most people can put together acceptable golf attire from an ordinary closet. Men need a polo shirt, the kind many people wear for business casual, plus chinos or tailored shorts and a belt. Women can wear a polo or collared sleeveless top with chinos, tailored shorts or a casual skirt of reasonable length. Add clean sneakers with a decent grip and a cap, and you meet the dress code at most public courses.
The main things to avoid are the ones that look like you came from somewhere else: jeans, gym shorts, sweatpants, T shirts with graphics, tank tops and flip flops. For a driving range or an entertainment venue with hitting bays, the rules are usually looser, but a polo and chinos still look right. If you enjoy the game, the first things to buy are golf shoes and a stretch polo, since they make the biggest difference to comfort.
Common mistakes
Wearing jeans
Denim is banned at most private clubs and many public courses, and it is hot and stiff for a four hour round. Chinos or golf pants look similar and pass the code.
Forgetting that the range counts
At many private clubs the dress code applies to the practice areas too, so change before you warm up, not after.
Wearing a cap backward
Many clubs require hats to be worn forward, and some ask you to remove them indoors in the clubhouse. It is a small thing that staff do notice.
Questions people ask
Do you have to wear a collared shirt to golf?
At most courses, men do, and women need either a collar or a shirt designed for golf. Mock neck shirts are accepted at many clubs. Some public courses allow plain T shirts, but a polo is always safe.
Can you wear shorts to play golf?
Yes, at almost every course, as long as they are tailored shorts of walking or Bermuda length. Many clubs set a limit of a few inches above the knee and ban cargo, denim and athletic shorts.
Do golf shirts need to be tucked in?
For men, many courses require it. Women can usually wear shirts untucked if they are designed to be worn that way. Tucking is a good default for anyone at a private club.
What should a beginner wear to golf?
A polo shirt, chinos or tailored shorts (or a skort for women), a belt, a cap and clean sneakers with a grippy sole. That meets the dress code at most public courses. Buy golf shoes once you know you will keep playing.
Can I wear a hoodie to golf?
Many private clubs do not allow hoodies, though some casual courses do and golf brands now make them. A quarter zip pullover is the safer choice for warmth.
Sources and further reading
References used for this guide. Each opens the original page in a new tab.
Keep reading
Dress codes
Smart casual: what it means for men and women
What smart casual really means, how it differs from business casual, and what men and women can wear, including when jeans, sneakers and a blazer are right.
Everyday style
Types of pants and how to wear each
A clear guide to the types of pants for men and women, from dress pants and chinos to cargo, joggers, palazzo and culottes, with how to wear each and when.
Weather
What to wear in 90 degree weather
At 90°F clothing is part of staying safe. Loose fabrics, when to cover up, what to wear to work and outdoors, and the signs that heat is getting to you.
Dress codes
Business casual for men: what to wear to work
What business casual means for men at work, with outfit formulas, the right shoes, when jeans are allowed and how to read your own office's version of the code.
Everyday style
How to tuck in a shirt so it stays put
How to tuck in a shirt so it lies flat and stays in all day: the standard tuck, the military tuck, shirt stays, and when to leave a shirt untucked.