Whenever you take part in a sport, it’s important to use the right clothing and to dress appropriately. Usually, because proper attire is needed in order to be comfortable, and practice the sport safely!

Some sports are pretty obvious, like how you need a swimsuit for swimming or warm clothes for skiing. But what about less obvious sports? 

With golf, it’s not the most strenuous sport, it’s all about having the right posture and technique, and then swinging the golf club. So what are you supposed to wear?

We can give you the answers, so no need to panic. Let’s get right into it! 

Dress code in golf for women

First of all, let’s start with the dress code. Because yes, there is a dress code in golf. It’s not super strict (but non-golfers may see it that way) and if you want to fit in with the rest of the people, or you want to enter an official golf competition, then you have to wear the right type of clothing. 

As a general rule, the golf dress code would be sports equivalent of smart-casual. For women, the traditional golf dress code requires a collared shirt, and anything except denim. 

However, with time, the dress code has changed a bit (with skirts now being pretty popular amongst golfing women), and it’s also worth saying that there are many options within the dress code itself so that you can showcase your own personal style and preferences. 

Nowadays, the dress code is comfortable but elegant in some way. For women, dresses, skirts with a collared shirt, and skorts with a shirt, are all becoming increasingly popular options. 

However, the most important thing about the golf dress code is to check the individual rules of the place where you’re playing. If you’re at a private club, they will have their own dress code, and the same goes for competitions. 

What to wear when golfing – for women

As we have mentioned, there are many options for women when it comes to dressing for golf. You should, of course, check the dress code of the golf course you are going to be playing in, but other than that, here are some of our general guidelines to follow:

Tops

For the tops, we recommend wearing a shirt with a collar, as this is usually a safe option that better meets the dress code requirements. Alternatively, you could wear a short sleeve shirt with no collar, or a sleeveless shirt with a collar. A sleeveless shirt without a collar, however, would not be deemed appropriate, as it looks too “sporty”. 

Unlike the men, your polo or shirt doesn’t need to be tucked in, you can wear it loose. But it’s worth considering the material. A round of golf on average will take 4 hours so if it’s a warm day choose a more breathable fabric and lighter colour that will help keep you cooler.

Bottoms

Women have many options when it comes to golf, so a good idea is to take into account the weather, and the place where you’ll be golfing. All the below would be acceptable on the golf course for women:

• Pants
• Shorts
• Capris / Three Quarter Pants
• Skirts
• Skorts

The only advice would be to follow similar dress code guidelines to the men where these should be smart and not too “sporty”. Generally any clothing designed for other sports wouldn’t be acceptable such as leggings (but again double check with the course you’re playing at).

Much like the men’s guidelines, denim is also a no go!

Dresses

Dresses have become increasingly popular for women playing golf, so this is also a good option for clothing attire.

The dress should look casual and comfortable while remaining smart. Try and look for a summery dress (not too short), that has a bit of color. 

Sweaters and jackets

If it’s cold, you’re going to want to layer up on the golf course. A sweater or a jacket is your best option whilst playing golf, and if you want to play it safe, we highly recommend that it is one that is from a golf brand. That way it will be deemed appropriate. 

If not, then make sure it doesn’t have a hood. Otherwise, you can wear a typical sports mid layer that you’d otherwise wear to the gym or something similar.

Generally using common sense and following similar guidelines to the general dress code such as no big logos, no clothing clearly designed for other sports or denim will ensure you’re sticking to the rules.

Lightweight outerwear is always preferable too so you can easily store it in your golf bag if you no longer need it.

Footwear

The best footwear for playing golf is golf shoes, for obvious reasons. If you’re just starting out and haven’t gotten around to buying any golf shoes yet, you’ll be fine at a driving range with a pair of trainers.

However, many golf clubs won’t let you out on the course without golf shoes so it’s worth checking in advance of where you’re playing. Some courses may allow cleated trainers which tend to be what modern spikeless golf shoes are anyway.

If you’re serious about taking up golf, then investing in a decent pair of golf shoes is a good idea. Avoid sandals or flip flops on the course (and in the clubhouse), not only will these be prohibited at the golf course, but they also won’t provide you with enough grip and could lead to a slip or an injury.

Headwear

When playing golf, you can spend hours under the sun, and therefore it is important to protect yourself with the right headwear. A cap or visor is your best option, just avoid wearing it backwards which will draw negative attention to yourself.

Again, in the cooler months, swapping this for a beanie or wooly hat is a good idea to keep your head warm.  

Things to consider when dressing for golf

Besides sticking to the dress code, when you’re choosing your clothes for golf there are a few different factors that you need to keep in mind, in order to make sure you are wearing the appropriate gear.  

The weather

As golf is played outdoors, it is incredibly important to check the weather beforehand and dress accordingly. Otherwise, you risk being uncomfortable or exposed to the elements for hours on end. Adapt your clothing options to the temperature, the wind, and whether it is going to be raining or not. 

If you’re using a trolley, you don’t need to worry about the weight of your golf bag, so pack in your golf waterproofs, an extra layer or whatever else you may need – just in case!

If you’re carrying your golf bag, you may need to plan in advance a little bit more. Particularly when it comes to extra layers, you’re best buying lightweight, high-performance clothing that’s both easy to carry, but will still do the job on the course. Check out our guide to the best golf waterproofs for more on this.

Comfort

Looking cool on the golf course may be important to you, but at the end of the day, golf is a sport, and you’re going to be playing for quite some time, so being comfortable is absolutely vital.

Make sure you feel comfortable in your clothes and are able to move freely. There’s nothing worse than finding that your golf shoes bug you 6 holes into the round.

What others will be wearing

A good idea is to check what other women in your group will be wearing, just to make sure that you don’t stand out in any negative way. 

FAQ’s

Can women wear leggings golfing?

If you want to play it safe when getting ready to play golf, you should avoid clothing that is primarily designed for other sports, and that includes leggings.

However it does depend on the golf club. Some would deem leggings as athleisure and not suitable for the golf course, whilst others will be more relaxed and not have a problem.

What do I wear if I don’t have golf clothes?

The general rule for women when playing golf is to wear something casual, but not too casual. So basically, comfortable clothes that you would be able to wear to a casual business meeting. Short-sleeved shirts with a collar are the best option, along with pants (not leggings), or a medium-length skirt. 

What should you not wear golfing?

In most instances, it’s best to avoid denim, cargo, combat, jeans, joggers or clothing designed for other sports.

You should also avoid clothing with logos or badges such as football and rugby crests or any other large logos not clothing specifically designed for golf.