Golf Shoes and Clothing Buying Guide

Golf Apparel

In the world of sports, there are few sports that are known for being stylish. Golf has that distinct honor; however, that wasn't always the case. Plaid has long been a presumed "uniform" on the golf course. You see it in movies, ads and television. Golf, standing for "Gentleman Only, Ladies Forbidden," is originally from Scotland. Since the Scottish often wore kilts, plaid isn't such a mystery on the golf course. Now, however, it isn't plaid that is the offender but bright patterns. While golf clothes are often bright and colorful, wearing all of those colors at the same time isn't something you need to do.

There are two styles of dress that will work for golfing: casual and formal.

Casual golf apparel

Casual golf clothes are what you would wear when golfing with your buddies. You aren't conducting business on the golf course, so impressing your friends with your attire rather than your game is the last thing on your mind. Wearing denim is usually not appropriate for golf, though.

Formal golf apparel

If you are playing with others from your office, such as your boss, make sure you show up for tee-time looking presentable. Ninety percent of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf. That is a lot of business to conduct. Also, remember that there are still private country clubs that have a dress code.

Golf apparel tips

Here are some basic tips in golf apparel for casual and formal wear to keep you from completely ruining your game:

• Wear a shirt with a collar: this serves many purposes. Golf shirts are patterned after polo and tennis shirts. They have a "tail" that is slightly longer in the back (to keep your shirt from coming un-tucked from your pants, shorts or skirt) and short sleeves for ease of play. The buttons can be loosened easily, and the collar can flip up to protect your neck from the sun. Pair your golf shirt with another underneath, usually white, for added warmth for early morning tee-times.
• Wear shorts designed for golf: no cut-offs, no gym shorts and nothing shorter than just above your knees. Avoid shorts with cuffs.
• Wear pants with belt loops and no cuffs: cuffs trap dirt, and if you spend anytime in sand traps, that's a lot of sand to take home.
• Wear a leather belt: if you are unsure of which belts are the most appropriate for golf, picture Tiger Woods or Ben Hogan. Which belt would they wear? Try to avoid the spiked belts that rockers and teenagers wear.
• Wear appropriate golf shoes: no running shoes or sandals. Almost every country club has stopped allowing metal spikes and now requires soft spikes or molded tread. Bring some street shoes so you can change since business golf may become a business lunch.
• Wear matching socks: yes, your socks should match each other, but they should also match your style. If you are wearing long pants your socks should match your trousers. Wearing socks with shorts is tricky. Light-colored socks with white or saddle-style shoes and black socks with black shoes are the best combinations. Your socks can have patterns, and if you choose patterned socks, they should be your only pattern.
• Wear a hat: this is conditional. Hats will keep the sun off of your face and can improve vision, but beware of the hat style. For casual play wear either a baseball-style or straw golf hat. If you are out there for business, try to match your boss or client.
• Wear golf clothes appropriate for the weather: if you are playing an early morning game or in inclement weather, wear a golf sweater, a golf vest or a golf jacket.

If you were invited to the club, wearing appropriate golf clothes will reflect your respect for the other members of the group as well as the member who invited you.

Remember that for any article of clothing, you want to pick clothing that is comfortable for you. Because of the swinging movements and bending in golf, buy golf apparel that is a bit looser. You want to be able to swing your golf clubs without your shirt coming out of your pants, shorts or golf skirt.

For more in-depth information on selecting clothing and materials, read our Men's Clothing Buying Guide or Women's Clothing Buying Guide.

To find the perfect size for your golf apparel review our men's sizing guide and women's sizing guide.

Golf Shoes

The history of golf shoes in the United States really began when the English King Edward VIII was still the Prince of Wales. He was often seen in the United States in the first suede Oxfords. Later he was given the title of Duke of Windsor. The Duke was also the one who introduced Ghillies and Kilties to the lucky U.S. The styles of golf shoes from this time also show us why plaid was so popular in golf apparel. The Duke was a very well known figure since he had abdicated his thrown to marry a commoner, and all eyes were on him and his golf shoes.

Golf shoes should offer comfort, breathability, water resistance, style and traction. A game of golf can take up to four hours and many miles can be walked between the eighteen holes, so choosing the right golf shoe is important. Good golf shoes offer many special features and here are a few to look for:

• A sole that provides cushioning.
• Heels that have additional cushioning.
• New models with comfort innovations (perhaps borrowed from other sports).
• Specialized spikes for a strong stance.

Look great and stylish in your new golf shoes with beautiful leathers and materials, designs and colors.

There are several different styles of golf shoes available: shoe, sandal and boot.

Shoes

Golf shoes are going to be your best choice. They fulfill every requirement while remaining a great style for the golf course. Metal spikes used to be the standard but have been replaced by soft spikes, which are a plastic claw designed to provide traction in wet conditions without tearing up the greens (which are very expensive to keep up).

Oxfords: Oxfords are a type of leather shoe with enclosed lacing. In Scotland and Ireland, Oxfords are also called Balmorals, which are the true Oxford. Blucher and Derby shoes are varieties of Oxford that feature open lacing. Although Oxfords used to be plain and boring, newer styles are made of tanned leather, suede and even synthetic materials. These golf shoes are definitely stylish.

Saddle: Saddle Oxfords have a saddle-shaped piece of leather at the instep. The saddle can be the same color or a different one. Saddle Oxfords are called duotone if the saddle is a different color.

Ghillies: Ghillies, or gillies, are Oxfords without a tongue, laced across the instep. When used in golf, they often have fringed laces and are worn with kilts or plus fours, and argyle socks. Plus fours are "knickers" worn in golf. They are loosely tailored slacks that are cut four inches below the knee. Gillies aren't worn frequently in the United States any longer.

Kilties: These are Oxfords with a tongue of fringed leather. They were a popular golf shoe, but morphed into slip-on loafers.

Spectator: Also called co-respondent shoes, these golf shoes are two-color shoes, usually white and black or brown. They are made from leather or leather and canvas and are generally only worn during the summer. These shoes were introduced in 1925 by golfer Walter Hagen and embraced by Bobby Jones the next year. Fred Astaire wore them to dance in and they became the signature shoes of jazz musicians, gangsters and zoot-suiters after their golfing popularity boom in 1937.

Sandals

Because many social golfers have wanted a golf shoe that was lightweight and not as restricting or tough as the classic golf shoes, many companies have introduced a sandal version of the classic golf shoe. These are simply sandals with spikes. The drawbacks are they can be uncomfortable when walking long distances and can cause a blister or two. They are also not always great for wet weather.

Boots

Boot golf shoes are new and fairly rare. They are designed to look similar to hiking boots and are very waterproof. They offer great traction for winter golfing but are usually expensive because of the use of waterproof material over the entire boot.

Golf shoe tips

Now that you know what to look for in proper golf shoes and how to buy golf apparel, you should also know how to shine those two-toned saddle shoes and spectators.

• With very little water, apply saddle soap.
• Apply black or brown polish, depending on the color of the non-white part of the shoe, and polish with an old toothbrush.
• Moisten polish with a few drops of water. (The authentic 1930's shine was moistened with a few drops of gin.)
• Wrap a cloth around your finger and buff the non-white parts.
• Work the polish into the leather, let it dry slightly and buff with a clean rag.
• Use "nurse's shoes" white polish for the white part. Follow the same steps as above, but put on the white polish carefully. Let the polish dry and buff with a clean rag.

You can find a great selection of men's golf shoes as well as a stylish collection of women's golf shoes. If you need help on how to buy golf shoes in the best size, read our men's and women's shoe size guide.

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