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Golf Fashion Changes

There was a time when golf was more than a game. It was an important social event, when men and women would meet for a friendly outing and an exchange of courtesies. They minded their manners and always dressed in proper golf attire.

Have the glory days of argyle golf shirts been lost forever? Wear one today off, or even on the course, and you'll get your share of stares and snickers. For full effect, don your knickers, beanie and sweater vest and you'll be exuding nineteenth-century charm in all its glory.

Even those directly connected to the game of golf will roll their eyes at the sight of a fine argyle golf shirt. Of course, these fashion "aficionados" are as quick to suggest proper attire off the course, as they are to comment on your wardrobe on the green. Dare to wear a collared polo shirt to the office, and your boss will be watching lest you skip out early to hit the links before 5 p.m.

Is there anything wrong with possessing a love of golf attire? Certainly not. Everyone should be proud of his or her fashion sense. If we choose to wear argyle golf shirts out to a restaurant or to the ballgame, it's making a confident statement of our allegiance to the game of golf. Just as football fans wear the jersey of their favorite running back, or hockey lovers don the sweater of their beloved defenseman, fans of golf should feel free wear their golf gear without fear of repercussion.

The irony is that, while golf attire may look "casual", it's certainly not cheap. Most golf shirts, whether made by Izod, Nike, Tommy Bahamas, Polo or any other manufacturer, are nicely made and quite expensive.

It's important to know the boundaries in wearing argyle golf shirts and similar attire. The golf shirt crosses the borders in only one direction. You can wear a golf shirt off the course, but never try to wear another style of shirt on the course. That would not do. Choices of golf slacks, on the other hand, offer a little more flexibility. A crisp pair of khakis with pleats and athletic lines will do nicely on or off the course. As for the golf cap, that's probably best left at the clubhouse.

Maybe it's time for golfers (and lovers of golf fashion) to unite. If all golfers wore their argyle golf shirts, sweater vests and embroidered country club pullovers out and about, they'd be more noticeable to each other. They could meet in the street to discuss their games and forge new partnerships.

Who knows? The trend might just catch on, and soon we'll be spotting argyle golf shirts on the fashion runways of Paris and Milan. Bring back the traditional golf attire and hopefully, the world will be reunited with those long-lost courtesies as well.