The goal of sports is not to look good. The goal is to enjoy some friendly competition as well as get some exercise and progress your skill and abilities at your sport of choice. That’s the main thing you should be aiming for when playing a sport, golf included.
But, that’s not to say that you should be forbidden from looking good while you’re playing. And you know, it might be worth having that little extra boost of confidence while you’re playing, especially if you’re a beginner.
First time player
If it’s your first time playing golf, you are almost certainly going to be a little bit self-conscious about the way you’re playing. It’s going to be very obvious that you’re lacking in a lot of experience and ability.
While this shouldn’t be a cause for concern or a source of insecurity and stress for you because no one really cares, it can be tough to be confident in that moment and you might not enjoy the playing as much as you should.
It will inhibit your progress and the positive effects that playing should have on your ability. So this is why if you want to, you should put some effort into your appearance. And you can cater to your style to the sport.
You can dress in such a way that not only looks great, but also makes you look like you’re a high-profile golfer who is actually very familiar with the course and how to play. Here’s a few tips on how to achieve that amazing golfer look:
1. Don’t Look Like You’re Following a Dress Code
There is sort of an expected look for golfers. You would kind of know it when you see it. It’s the typical polo neck t-shirt, the specific golf pants, the sweater vest and the shoes. It’s a look you’ve seen a thousand times.
And it’s one that works. It’s dressing in the style of a quintessential golfer. To look good out there, I would suggest that you take some influence from this regular attire, but don’t go for very plain items.
You can wear a polo neck shirt, but see if you can get one that has a bit of colour to it. Not so that it’s an eyesore, but so that it looks a bit more personal than just a very plain get up. Wear designs that suit you.
Most of the time you see golfer’s wearing beige pants but it doesn’t have to be that way, find a colour that you like. The same goes for the shoes. The thing about golf is that it has the reputation for being a serious, old person’s sport.
And a lot of the time, new players think that they shouldn’t do anything unusual with their clothes because then they will appear to not be taking the sport seriously. This isn’t true though, you can experiment and have fun without losing the functionality.
2. Make Sure You’re Comfortable
And speaking of functionality, as with any attire that you have for a specific sport, your clothes need to not get in the way of you being able to play. That’s of course a big part of the reasoning behind the aforementioned traditional golf outfit.
It’s important to make sure that the clothes you’re wearing are comfortable. If a polo neck shirt isn’t comfortable for you, then just wear a regular t-shirt. If it’s really hot out, wear a pair of shorts instead of the pants.
Get the shoes professionally fitted. Get a pair of golf shoes that will last you for a long time. There are several different styles and you will have to choose whether or not you want spiked or spikeless shoes, but no matter what, they must be well fitted.
You’ll be walking around on them for hours at a time so aim for comfort as well as style. Also, consider getting some waterproof clothes just to make sure you won’t be too affected if you’re caught in a downpour.
It’s just important to consider these extra things while also aiming to look good.
3. Look to Golf Style Icons
It’s never a bad idea to get inspiration from some of the people who are notorious for being stylish while they’re playing golf. While a lot of golfers don’t necessarily stand out from the pack, there are few that do.
Perhaps the most notable one would be Arnold Palmer. On top of being one of the most talented golfers of all time, Palmer is arguably the one who first injected a dose of style into the sport.
He knew which colours to mix and match, he was capable of making sweaters look good while on the course and his shoes were always eye-catching. You don’t have to replicate his style completely but you can take some influence.
For a more modern angle, check out Adam Scott. Widely considered to be the most stylish man in modern golf, Scott takes a less is more approach and finds ways to stand out and look sleek and stylish without using too much colour.
4. Accessorize
In addition to being able to help you perform better on the course, you can get some accessories to your outfit which can help to make it a little bit more personal while not getting in the way of the comfort and practicality of what you’re wearing.
A pair of gloves is good for your grip on the club, and the type of gloves can be a part of your personal golf style. If you’re wearing a cap you can personalize that too. You can go for a traditional baseball cap or you can wear a visor.
And then your style can extend to your equipment too. Get some unique tees, golf balls and clubs as well as a fancy bag to store them in.
5. Take Good Care of Your Golf Clothes
I would advise that if you are putting together a nice golf wardrobe for yourself, you should aim for high quality clothes and this might end up costing you a little bit. This is why you should take care of them so you don’t have to be constantly replacing stuff.
Treat them like your business clothes, don’t take off your golf shoes and just throw them haphazardly in the boot of your car. If you change into your clothes when you arrive at the clubhouse, transport them in appropriate storage.
What’s more important than all of this, is to have fun. Sports should be fun but as I said, it’s understandable if you feel like you need a little bit of extra confidence when you’re out there. If a nice new wardrobe can do that for you, then work on that.
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