Of course, you may not have a totally free choice of what you can wear on the course. While some golf clubs do allow you to wear what you want as long as it is tasteful, there are also many that have rules about what is acceptable on their course. Typical rules state that no tank tops, short shorts or jeans are allowed, and often also require that all players wear shirts with collars.
For men, the choice of golf apparel is usually relative uncomplicated. Khaki pants and a collared polo shirt are the the most popular choice and acceptable on almost all golf courses. In warm weather conditions, most golf clubs allow male players to wear fitted shorts. Most players also find a hat useful, as it helps keep the sun out of their eyes.
Women usually have a much wider choice of golf apparel that men. Golf skirts are increasingly popular as they do not restrict movement, but some women prefer shorts or loose pants. As with men, polo shirts are also widespread, and some upscale golf course allow women to wear sleeveless polos. Keeping the sun out of one's eyes is just as important for female players as for men, and many women opt for visors, although some do prefer hats.
Here are some tips on choosing golf apparel:
- It is usually best to choose clothes that are made of lightweight, breathable fabrics - especially if you mainly play in cold weather conditions. Of course manufacturers of golf apparel are aware of this requirement, and so it shouldn't be too difficult to find clothing like this.
- Another thing to bear in mind is that if your clothing is too tight it can be a positive disadvantage. A good golf swing is based on a smooth fluid movement, and hence you must choose apparel which does not restrict your movement.
- When playing golf there's a lot of bits and pieces (like golf tees, divot markers and extra balls) that you need to carry around with you, and hence having pockets in your shorts or pants is very convenient. Of course, you don't want to stuff your pockets (extra balls are a particular culprit for this) as it can throw off your swing quite a bit.
There are many places to find golf apparel. You can of course buy golf clothing in a golf store, or a the pro shop at the golf course, but the cheapest option is often the Internet - you may be amazed at some of the bargains that you can get online!