Our Correspondent notes that it was the weather that put the heavy woolies on early British golfers; but here in the Colonies with our warmer weather, could we, perhaps, lighten up a bit?
The Dress Code
Your humble Correspondent has now given enough years of service on the Links to expound on a topic near and dear to every part of his anatomy, in the vain hope it may strike a chord with those who marshal and regulate our happy band of hickory conscripts.
It should be remembered at the onset that golf originated in a part of the World where the Sun was rarely seen, and almost never warmed the cockles; rather did our golfing Forebears don as much clothing as was possible while still permitting a rudimentary swing at the ball.
The Sun may never have set on the Empire in those halcyon days, but the military adage of overdressing in every tropical clime was intended to make the Tommy so uncomfortable that a battle for one’s life was deemed preferable to another day’s march!
In temperatures over 80 degrees we are wont to place ourselves at a similar level of discomfort with our preferred golfing attire; not to engage in serious warfare, but rather to enjoy a leisure pastime while having the better of our friends – one may believe a change of habit (forgive the pun!) is overdue.
This is not to persuade those who claim or aspire to Scottish ancestry to divest themselves of their kilts; which happen to be marvelously suited to high Summer, with or without appurtenances; it is the misfortune of the rest of us to be so conservative as to eschew the wearing of skirts for fear our drinks will be bought for us all evening once the dare has been called. The Ladies, too, make such a fine show that they should persevere with their finery, and never be lacking the next drink!
The notion of a uniform still appeals, however, to distinguish us from the Civvies with their tin and titanium. Casting through the annals of the Royal & Ancient, and remembering that even the most austere of British Private Clubs permit, could we not adopt the Bermuda shorts and knee socks as our summer attire, with button-up short sleeved shirt and tie. The ensemble should be completed with a blazer or sports jacket for the après-ski. The traditional wear could continue through Spring and Autumn.
Personally, I would welcome a statement from on-high that this form of garb was an acceptable alternative for hickory events, and let us see whether it catches on (Smiths and Triminghams in Bermuda have tailored versions of the shorts which even World Leaders have found to their sartorial liking!)
Four Degrees