Golf is a game of tradition and rules that are in danger of being changed by the presence of denim on the greens!

Once the sport of the elite, golf is now enjoyed by people across all social classes. But those traditions and rules, set by those who had time and determination to keep the sport “a cut above” the rest of the sporting community,— those traditions die a very slow death. One tradition has to do with the appropriate clothing a golfer should wear while playing the game of golf.

Every club sets its own rules. They are determined by the board of directors, or governors and must be adhered to by those who wish to play the course. It’s not unusual to see a sign at the entrance to a golf clubhouse noting the acceptable dress code. Usually, these rules apply not only to the golf course but to the driving range and the practice putting green. Whether public or private, if you want to play a course you should be familiar with the course rules. If you are unsure, call ahead and check with the pro shop.

Why am I even bringing up the question? Because recently I came across a golf forum which was filled with a lively give and take from golfers across the globe, all commenting on the question. It’s clear that there is an underground movement to move towards denim on the golf course. In fact one manufacturer, an established brand, has just begun selling jeans to play golf. (Pictured here is the Aloha WJ from Loudmouth Golf – their description: Our new Par Threes, styled after the most comfortable jeans, will be your favorite pants ON and OFF the golf course. Dress them up with a nice belt and golf shirt and you’re playing golf at the club in jeans…and the head pro will never know! Dress them down with no belt, cool T-shirt and sneakers and you’re ready to go downtown. (Price at readygolf.com $89.95)

Here is just a sampling of the forum exchange (From both men and women, age 20+ – 60+ I’m keeping the names anonymous to protect the innocent. 🙂

Jean, as a fabric, is not inconsistent with golf. Most jean trousers are styled in a specific fashion which is not appropriate for the course. If the styling of the trousers doesn’t include metal rivets, sewn on pockets and contrasting stitching, then they may be able to make a comfortable pair of jeans worthy of the course. My thought would be to try a white jean in a gabardine style which includes a bit of stretch in the fabric for movement.

Typical blue jeans are not appropriate on the course.
No way…Besides the obvious fact that doing anything athletic in denim is quite difficult and uncomfortable (rodeo cowboys are only on the bull for 8 seconds), golf is a game steeped in tradition. Jeans wouldn’t be accepted I fear.

I have gone to the driving range in jeans a few times, they have absolutely no business on the golf course – and that’s regardless of public, private, resort, or anywhere in between.

No golf course (including public golf courses) should allow people to wear jeans to play!! If they want to wear jeans tell them to take up horse-back riding!

It is a small but ultimate question to everybody who plays golf and runs golf course, isn’t it? Can you be tolerant / open minded when you suddenly find at tee time that your close friend appears in jeans because he / she did not know it was taboo to others…. ??? Do you stop / cancel to play with?

Jeans are actually less offensive to me than players talking on their mobile phones. Golf is not just for the elite.

This last comment about mobile phones on the golf course, begs the question on golf etiquette. But we’ll handle that in a future post.

In the meantime, what do you think about jeans on the golf course? Do you think you should be able to wear those denims while you swing? Comment below, and answer the poll question in the sidebar.