It’s time to get on my old hobby horse again since it’s the best part of fifteen years since I last wrote a column on the still touchy subject of dress codes which is still very relevant all round the golf world, and the bane of many visitors and would-be members.
In the early ‘90s I was on the receiving end of a vigilant club official when I paid an early evening visit to my home club after a month overseas to catch up on a bit of gossip. More than suitably attired I thought in a smart jersey, brand new jeans, shiny black leather shoes, and a dress shirt – with collar of course! I felt great, and clearly best-dressed of the half dozen members in the bar.
As I departed after two beers I was stalked downstairs by the club captain, who reminded me, a member of 13 years at the time, that jeans were still taboo. I responded with a glare, and not a word, and, hackles raised, drove home hatching a one member crusade to at least try and change some members attitudes to jeans on the golf course.
That incident was the last straw, underlining the welcome sign on the old clubhouse facing the carpark along the lines of “Welcome to Miramar” NO jeans, NO beach shorts, NO tracksuit pants, NO tee shirts, NO shirts with slogans, walk shorts with long socks!! Enjoy your round."
At about that time, the “jacket in the 19th” rule had just about had its day, and those who’d forgotten to bring one, would no longer be embarrassed about donning the mouldy old standby in the locker room, which didn’t seem to fit anyone, but was deemed acceptable.
Anyway, at the next three AGMs I hammered away, using jeans as the catalyst in my argument against the sticklers who still associated jeans with the milk bar cowboys of the 1950s, at the same time emphasising that I was not promoting the acceptance of jeans the younger set liked to wear, frayed and with the knees cut out.
It was a case of trying to change attitudes, because golf needs to keep apace with modern trends, including fashion, rather than allow itself to be mired in tradition – a turnoff for the next generation of golfers.
I’m proud to say that since the new course and clubhouse at Miramar were opened in 1995, our club’s culture has changed significantly, tailormade for corporate golf, with a younger, cosmopolitan membership representing something of a model club in every respect.
I raise the dress code issue as New Zealand Golf addresses the chronic problem of converting casual golfers and regular green fee players into members, and trying to impress on clubs to be more open and welcoming to all visitors. Enforcement of the dress code is an integral part of the welcome and induction process, but it’s a matter of setting a reasonable standard (with some latitude), which should change with the times.
Golf needs a dress code, and don’t you at least feel the part when you’re smartly dressed.
And should we take our lead from the shop window of our game – the professional tours? Their latest fashion piece is the collarless shirt, and who says they look anything but smart.
And golf clubs need green fees, a significant earner which subsidises members’ subscriptions. The difficulty for clubs in this area is establishing a formula which encourages membership, but doesn’t discourage green fee players. There’s an obligation on clubs to ensure that members get a better deal than casual golfers.
PS. I sometimes wear jeans in cold weather on the golf course, but quite frankly, give me plus-fours any day!
PPS. New Zealand Golf is getting behind a classy new instruction book “The Complete Guide to Great Golf” by the respected Wellington teaching professional Kevin Smith, available in book stores now.
Wed 12 Mar 2008 23:06 – © Garry Ahern
