| Golf clothing should not just be stylish; most important, it | | | | Golfers tend not to look their most glamorous in the |
| needs to be comfortable and functional. There are no | | | | rain. You see everything from stocking caps to hats |
| specific rules relating to general dress on the course, | | | | with built in ear flaps. Fashion may have to take |
| although most private clubs and country clubs do have | | | | second place to function! Equally, on a nice day you |
| stringent standards. Trainers, denim jeans, shirts without | | | | need to keep the sun out of your eyes with a peaked |
| collars, short shorts and sleeveless shirts for men are | | | | cap or visor. |
| generally forbidden. Some clubs insist that men wear | | | | A good pair of golf shoes is essential for firm gripping |
| long socks with shorts. Others forbid ladies in the | | | | and effective footwork. The most expensive tend to |
| clubhouse in shorts or even trousers. Dress codes | | | | have leather uppers and leather soles with spikes. But |
| vary from country to country and club to club. Be | | | | they can be very stiff, and if the soles don't bend |
| prepared to respect them. | | | | freely, you can end up with blisters at the back of your |
| You need to wear clothes that allow you totally free | | | | feet. |
| movement of the various parts of the body essential | | | | The ideal combination for most golf players is a leather |
| to the basic shots. There is no shortage of choice | | | | upper, which will breathe, combined with a rubber sole |
| when it comes to shirts, sweaters, trousers, shorts, | | | | with either spikes or 'pimples'. Again, the soles need to |
| slacks and skirts. It's a good idea to wear several | | | | be suitably flexible to encourage good footwork. Stiff |
| layers that you can peel off in changeable weather. | | | | soles can not only be uncomfortable, but can also |
| Bear in mind that you will be out on the course for | | | | cause problems in the swing. |
| several hours at a time, during which there may well | | | | Look for shoes with solid toe caps. This again |
| be a dramatic change in conditions. If the weather | | | | encourages good footwork for the right foot to come |
| looks changeable, make sure you have enough extra | | | | through onto the end of the toes. Shoes that are too |
| clothing to keep warm, since cold limbs and joints are | | | | flexible will not give proper support. |
| your worst enemy when playing golf, and pack | | | | Also bear in mind that the heel height can vary slightly, |
| waterproofs in your golf bag in case it rains. | | | | which can affect balance and legwork. High-ish heels |
| When choosing waterproofs, remember that you are | | | | can push the weight forward onto the ball of the left |
| unlikely to find any garment that is totally impervious to | | | | foot through impact, instead of allowing you to get |
| water. The cheapest rainwear is usually lightweight | | | | back onto the heel. |
| nylon, which although not particularly chic does have | | | | When you buy a pair of spiked shoes, loosen all the |
| the advantage of being compact enough to fit into any | | | | spikes and drop in a little machine oil to prevent them |
| bag. | | | | from rusting. Lightweight tennis style shoes are |
| At the other end of the market is the expensive | | | | increasingly popular, as they are much easier on the |
| breathable fabric suit. It takes up far more space in | | | | feet during a long day on the course. Modern shoes |
| your bag and tends to be more suitable if you are | | | | often have 'soft' plaster spikes. |
| likely to play a complete round in the rain. | | | | Most players wear a left hand glove to encourage a |
| Whichever waterproofs you choose, look for slacks | | | | constant grip. Leather tends to be very expensive, and |
| with legs wide enough to go easily over golf shoes, | | | | although it arguably gives the best feel, it may not be |
| preferably with zippers at the bottom of the legs, | | | | as durable as some of the best synthetics. A glove |
| which you can tighten to prevent the bottoms from | | | | with an extra pad at the base of the hand can reduce |
| flapping in the wind. Make sure that the jacket is loose | | | | wear and tear. It should fit tighter than a normal glove. |
| enough to allow you to swing freely and try to get one | | | | Take care when putting your glove on, slide it on the |
| with as few seams as possible. Another point to | | | | fingers and thumb, rather than pulling it on from the |
| remember is that you want a suit that does not make | | | | wrist. |
| a lot of noise as you move in the shot. | | | | In winter, wearing a pair of thick mittens over your golf |
| Headwear is also important, particularly in the wind or | | | | glove is usually easier than playing in a pair of gloves. |
| rain. Look for something to keep your hair from your | | | | Special trolley mitts are available to cover both the |
| eyes, to keep rain off glasses and to stay on firmly | | | | trolley handle and your hands. |
| when the wind blows. The variety of hats is enormous. | | | | |