Golf tournaments are a lot of fun — oftentimes, you’re getting to see some of the best players in the world compete for the grand prize. If you’re planning to go to an upcoming tournament, you might be starting to plan for the big day. There’s a lot to consider — like what to bring, where to sit and maybe most importantly — what to wear.
What To Wear to a Golf Tournament As a Spectator: Overview
Even before you start planning your outfit, it can be helpful to zoom out a little bit and look at the big picture of golf attire for tournaments. The key is to dress modest and respectable — golf is a sport rooted in history, after all, so it’s important to pay homage to the great game and dress with a little bit of integrity.
This doesn’t mean you have to come dressed in a tuxedo, of course, it just means that you should be aware of how you look when you step on the course to watch the pros. If it’s a big tournament, you might even be on TV at some point, being broadcasted to thousands or even millions of viewers. Knowing that, you might want to get a little extra information so you’re ready.
Here’s your complete guide for what to wear to a golf tournament.
Men’s Tournament Attire
Men’s tournament attire is relatively simple. Any variation of pressed pants, collard shirts and hats will usually work. Still, there are some variations you should be aware of.
Shirts
A few different shirts will work for a golf tournament:
- Collared Shirt
- Golf Shirt
- Button-Down Shirt
All of these are adequate for a tournament — it’s good to go with solid colors such as black, white or blue or some sort of striped design. You should also consider the material of your shirt. If it’s going to be a sweltering day, you might want to consider a wicking material so you can stay cool and comfortable. As long as the shirt looks respectable, you should fit into the gallery just fine.
Shorts
Shorts are also fine to wear to a golf tournament:
- Khaki Shorts
- Bermuda Shorts
These shorts are great options if you’re looking for comfort or something a little cooler on hot, sunny days.
Pants
Pants offer warmer, more dressier options for golf tournament spectators. For pants, feel free to choose from these options:
- Khakis
- Joggers
- Golf Pants
Hats
Hats are one of the most important items to bring to a golf tournament. They can help protect you from the sun and offer you some much-needed shade during a golf tournament. Consider these options:
- Baseball caps
- Sun hats
- Visers
Shoes
You might be standing and walking a lot during a golf tournament, so it’s important to spend some time thinking about what shoes you want to wear. Opt for these choices:
- Tennis Shoes
- Loafers
- Sandals
Tennis shoes are perfect choices if you know you’re going to be roaming around the venue for most of the day. Sandals can also be comfortable, although you’ll want to make sure that they’re stable enough to last throughout the entire day. It’s a good idea to test out your shoes beforehand or opt for a pair that you know you can trust so that you can avoid blisters during the tournament.
Accessories
You can also feel free to add some accessories to your outfit. It’s not every day you get to go to a golf tournament, after all. Here are some accessories you can add to your outfit:
- Belts
- Necklaces
- Watches
Women’s Tournament Attire
Dressing as a man for a golf tournament is relatively easy — a collared shirt and a nice pair of pants will usually do the trick. Women, however, have many different options to choose from — from skirts, sundresses to leggings, you could be considering what is best to wear to a tournament. Here are some women’s tournament attire ideas.
Sundresses
For summer tournaments, sundresses are great options. Comfortable and often elegant, these can be the perfect choice for a golf tournament. In most cases, white will be an appropriate color for a golf tournament — as long as you’re not concerned about spilling anything.
Skirts
Skirts are another go-to for women’s tournament attire. Many professional female golfers opt for skirts when they play, so this is a great way to pay homage to the players and also fit into the tournament.
Shirts
As for shirts, you can go for a button-up top or a collared shirt. Make sure you judge your outfit based on the weather — hot, sunny days might mean you want to look for something more lightweight.
Leggings
For tournaments early or later on in the season, leggings will be appropriate. They’re comfortable and also warm, which are perfect for a tournament in the Fall.
Capris
Capris are another great option for golf tournaments. You can easily throw these together for a nice outfit combo and enjoy your time confidently out on the course.
Hats
Baseball caps, visors, and sun hats are all appropriate for golf tournaments.
Jackets
In colder weather, you’ll be looking at what types of jackets you should wear. The type of jacket you wear will depend on the weather. If it’s raining, make sure you find a rain jacket that will keep you dry throughout the day. On frigid mornings with frost still on the ground, you could even consider wearing a parka. Aim for comfort and remember that you’re going to be outside for the majority of the day.
Jewelry
To look stylish, you could consider any array of bracelets, earrings, rings and more. While you don’t want to be too distracting to the golfers, it can be fun to dress up and look good for the occasion.
Shoes
Sandals, tennis shoes and sneakers are all great options for golf tournament footwear.
What Not to Wear to a Golf Tournament
While it’s helpful to know some fundamentals about what to wear to a golf tournament, you’ll also want to keep in mind what you want to avoid. Here are some clothing items you should avoid wearing to the big event.
Jeans
Avoid wearing jeans to golf tournaments — traditionally, they don’t really belong on the golf course. You’ll likely stand out amongst the crowd and you probably won’t be very comfortable standing in them for hours at a time on a sunny day.
Cutoffs
Golf has become more casual in recent years, but many traditions still remain the same. Try to walk onto a course with a cutoff on and you’ll likely get some suspicious looks — you might even be asked to change your wardrobe.
Golf Shoes
It can be tempting to come dressed as the pros head to toe. If you wear golf shoes, though, you can end up chewing up the course, resulting in problems for the maintenance staff. Stick with sneakers or sandals.
Flip Flops
No — the pros don’t want to hear you flip-flopping your way all over the course in between shots. You also want to wear something that’s easy to navigate in. Flip flops can be hard to walk in — let alone run to get to the spot you want.
Gym Shorts
Avoid wearing your workout attire at a tournament. While you want to be comfortable, you want to dress up a little bit to pay respect to the great game.
Heels
As mentioned earlier, you want to make sure you can easily navigate the tournament to get the spots you want. You’ll also be on your feet all day. Heels can make it very difficult to move and also make your feet very sore after a few hours.
Golf Tournament Spectator Outfit Ideas
Choosing that perfect outfit for a golf tournament can be challenging. We’ve put together some simple outfit ideas that would be perfect for a day out on the course.
Casual and Modest
When it comes to golf tournaments, dressing casual and modest is almost always a good play. Collared white shirts, some loose pants and hats are about all you need to fit in as a spectator at a golf tournament. You’re not there to make a fashion statement, after all — you’re there to root on the golfers and see some of the best play the great game.
Bright and Flashy
Some tournaments might actually call for some flare — the Waste Management Open in Scottsdale comes to mind. For these, you can probably dress bright and flashy — hot pinks and bright, solid colors can work for these types of events.
Dress Like Your Favorites
You could even try to emulate some of your favorite golfers. Wear that classic Tiger Sunday red or the head-to-toe orange Ricky Fowler outfit. This is a fun way to show your fandom for a player and also a great conversation starter at the tournament.
Tips for Dressing for a Golf Tournament
Before you start putting together the perfect outfit for the golf tournament, be sure to keep some of these key tips in mind.
Dress Like the Players
When in doubt, dress like the players — collared shirts, golf pants, and a hat. Just avoid the golf shoes.
Don’t Get Too Flashy
Some tournaments might allow you to wear some bright and flashy clothes. Still, don’t go too overboard. If you’re distracting, it could affect the play of the golfers.
Be Respectful
Many players at these tournaments are trying to make it as a professional. They’re chasing a dream that they’ve probably been working on for their entire lives. Make sure you’re being respectful to both the players and the course.
Don’t Overthink It
It’s just an outfit — as long as you’re comfortable, you’re probably okay.
Why Dressing Well For Golf Tournaments Is Important
You don’t have to spend too much time planning your outfit and thinking about every last detail. It is important to look presentable, however, for a few different reasons.
You Show Respect for the Game
Golf is one of the oldest sports that we still play to this day. It’s full of tradition and etiquette that helps keep the game prestigious. Though it’s become adopted by more casual players, it’s still important to keep that tradition in mind. When you dress respectfully on the course, you pay respect to the game of golf.
You Won’t Distract the Pros Too Much
Golfers enter tournaments to further their careers and potentially win huge amounts of money. There is a lot riding on every shot. It’s important to dress the right way so that you’re not sticking out too much in the gallery.
You’ll Feel Confident
If you’re at a popular PGA tournament, there might be cameras all over. When you make sure you dress for the occasion, you’ll be more confident that you won’t get a call from someone you know asking what in the world you’re wearing on national television.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about dressing for golf tournaments.
Is There a Dress Code At Golf Tournaments?
Technically, there isn’t really any universal dress code at golf tournaments. Some courses, however, might have specific rules that you should check before dressing for the occasion.
What Should I Wear to a PGA Golf Tournament?
PGA golf tournaments are upper-level tournaments reserved for the best golfers in the world. Make sure you’re dressing respectfully and using our guidelines listed above.
What to Wear to a Golf Tournament: The Bottom Line
Golf tournaments are a blast to attend. You can see your favorite golfers and spend some quality time with friends out on the course. Dressing correctly can you feel confident and keep you comfortable while you watch.