159 replies to this topic

[BankerGolfer]

What's the proper length for golf shorts? What's the current fashion trend?

Should the length end above the kneecap, right at the middle of the kneecap, or below the kneecap?

Should shorts have pleats or a flat front?

Thanks.

Edited by BankerGolfer, 13 April 2009 - 06:18 PM.

[MizzyMan]

Just above the knee.

And NO pants or shorts should have pleats!! PERIOD!

[Asleep]

[cahal]

right at the knee cap, the days of shorts above the knee are waaaaayy over as far as current styling and trends.

I also agree, no pleats on shorts although we do still some pleating on pants but that is becoming more and more rare as well.

[fatmouse]

Probably would depend on your age. If you're younger, flat front at or just below the knee is what's generally in style, at least here in california. Older gents could get away with pleats and all that and it won't look bad at all. Just don't go too far above that knee, that doesn't really ever look good.

or just wear whats comfortable because no one really pays attention to what you're wearing on the golf course anyway

[Ruleschamp]

Depends on your age, the course you're playing, and the purpose of your play. Shorts you might wear to the local muni may be completely out of place at a high-end resort course.   Things that may be great for a high school kid may be completely out of place for an adult in some situations.

Are you playing golf with your boss? Your company's CEO or BOD? An important client? All of those things may matter. In fact, at my company we use it as one of our evaluation points when narrowing down the field of candidates we recruit from undergrad and grad schools into our training programs.

[MrParr1Noid]

Right at the knee..but once you let them slide down a bit..enough to show your boxers..then they come down to your calf.    Flat front of course.

[cohenfive]

i prefer pleats since i have a fat butt...

[HarboursideTC]

Shorts should not be allowed in the first place.  If you must wear them, they should pleated or flat front, 1" or less above the top of the knee cap.  Please iron them and absolutely no cargo shorts or cut off cammies.  Definitely not below the knee, unless you are also wearing your golf hat on sideways/backwards and wearing a basketball jersey over your polo shirt.  

That is too much to ask -> lets leave it at no shorts, no jeans, no military garb and absolutely no flannel.

[BankerGolfer]

These are some good answers. Please keep them (and the votes) coming.

With the exception of the post with the pic of the guy with the short shorts. Excuse me, as I must go and throw up now....

[MrParr1Noid]

BankerGolfer, on Apr 13 2009, 09:23 PM, said:

These are some good answers. Please keep them (and the votes) coming.

With the exception of the post with the pic of the guy with the short shorts. Excuse me, as I must go and throw up now....

I've heard that the short shorts look is coming back in style.

[birdiegirl11]

HarboursideTC, on Apr 13 2009, 06:43 PM, said:

Shorts should not be allowed in the first place.  If you must wear them, they should pleated or flat front, 1" or less above the top of the knee cap.

Wow... I guess I have been heavily indoctrinated into the SoCal lifestyle, but I do think that golfers should be well-dressed, think and that can include shorts. I'm right with you on the cargos and cutoffs. Slightly below the knee is fashionable and for some knees, preferable, IMO :p.

Personally, I think shorts that don't reach the top of the kneecap are too short. Bend over to put your tee in the ground, and you might be showing off some gems that the rest of us would rather not see.

Also, I'd like to add that there is more than one kind of iron that has a place in your pre-round routine. Wrinkles are not in. Ever.  (This should probably go into the pet peeves thread....)

Edited by birdiegirl11, 13 April 2009 - 10:08 PM.

[Titleist-Golfer]

Shorts ... what about shirts.

Someone needs to tell Phil that if we see the "farmer's tan" the sleeve's too short!

[redhawkgolf]

I only care about being comfotable. Banning shorts is the dumbest idea I have ever heard. It gets hot where I play. Call me anything you want, but I were jean shorts above the knee and collared golf shorts.

[nateobot]

Jorts

[Carolina Golfer 2]

I've found 10" inseam works best for me, that brings it just below the top of my knee.  You have to consider how high they will hike up when you sit down.    As for pleats!!!   They're shorts not a pair of drapes

[harold baines]

do a google image search for John Stockton and you'll see what appropriate shorts are

[DH48]

Some of us have to have pleats.  Without pleats it is almost impossible to get pants or shorts that fit becaue of the shape and size of my butt.  I've literally had flat front pant that when buttoned were too loose for my waist but I could barely zip them because of my butt.

[Chilidog]

I wear right to the top of the knee cap, flat front and only polyester. I don't need swamp ace and wrinkles in my round.

[TM golf guy]

Please don't wear pleats and short shorts.

[2left]

DH48, on Apr 14 2009, 12:35 PM, said:

Some of us have to have pleats. Without pleats it is almost impossible to get pants or shorts that fit becaue of the shape and size of my butt. I've literally had flat front pant that when buttoned were too loose for my waist but I could barely zip them because of my butt.

+1. We all have to deal with the realities of our bodies. Otherwise, too many men will end up looking like the overweight mom in the supermarket checkout line who looks like she's torturing her jeans in a manner that would have been forbidden at Guantanamo Bay. Of course, she'd reply, "but these are the jeans that Paris Hilton wears."

[yoonie]

Being fashionable, step 1:

look good.

Will a poll make clothes fit your body?

[Schilly]

PLeats are in the front butts are in the rear. IT might take more effort but you can find flat front shorts that will fit. Pleats just make people look bigger than they are.

[yoonie]

Schilly, on Apr 15 2009, 03:06 AM, said:

PLeats are in the front butts are in the rear. IT might take more effort but you can find flat front shorts that will fit. Pleats just make people look bigger than they are.

Actually, the opposite.  You're thinking of pants that don't fit.

[aussieb]

Now I see why my wife says most golfers look alike and are a bunch of tools.  Shorts are supposed to be 1-2" above the knee.  Pleats are not in fashion at the moment, flat fronts are in regardless of the size of your belly!  The flat front is designed to slim your lines.  Find a pair that are made well and fit correctly.  I have a 32" waist and still wear pairs with a hidden elastic band for comfort when they need to flex.  Don't wear horizontal stipes or hideous patterns, they make you look worse.  Look for clothes that accentuate your better features i.e. a pattern only up near your shoulders or a unique color collar will draw the eye away from your paunch.  
Get the proper measurements for your body fit (just like you should for clubs) and buy accordingly.  A measuring tape is about a buck and if you had paid attention in home economics you'd know how clothing is supposed to be made/alterred.  Avoid poor quality materials, the new stuff out there is superior in every manner.  I'd rather have two or three sets/outfits of clothes I spent a little on to go to the course in that look amazing, than a whole closet full of crap that makes me look like the typical country club golfer.

[msuggs]

No shorts? What do you suggest when it's 110 heat index? Stay home? Yeah I will play in any condition cold or hot. Thus, I will wear shorts in the summer.

Also, there's nothing like the sound of your ball bouncing off a frozen water hazzard, but I'm wearing jeans at that point since my course allows it. They're just happy to have paying customers inthis economy which shouldn't be forgotten in all of this.

[skinny99]

The guys that say no shorts are unrealistic! It will be 95* with 95% humidity here in Florida next month,thats why the pro's don't play here in the summertime. Go to Isleworth and watch Tiger practise all summer,see what he will be wearing. Shorts need to come at least to your knee's,no pleats and please iron them. If your a big guy(I am) light colored shorts and dark shirts look the best,still no pleats though.Chaps makes some nice shorts in bigger sizes. IMO Todd

[muzz]

I always find it amazing that most folks on here think they are the Fashion Gods, and state " No Pleats" !!!
Like they are the be all.....please..........
Take a look on tour, there are PLENTY of guys on tour that still wear pleats, and they don't look like bums....

It's almost as if one guy stated that pleats were a virus, and everyone just fell in line....the "Sheep" mentality is amazing.
MOST of my pants and shorts are flat front, when I want to look like Corky I put on the pleated variety......

[PGATourdreamin]

BankerGolfer, on Apr 13 2009, 03:42 PM, said:

What's the proper length for golf shorts? What's the current fashion trend?

Should the length end above the kneecap, right at the middle of the kneecap, or below the kneecap?

Should shorts have pleats or a flat front?

Thanks.

Think Richard Simmons. Running shorts with triple pleats to finish the look off. Very classy.

[HarboursideTC]

Well, I think I was the first one to say NO SHORTS, but I was just trying to make a point that some fashion sense is necessary.  I really do not think that shorts should be banned from the course. I am actually okay with pros wearing shorts too.  I sometimes (but rarely) wear them myself when it gets really hot (flat fronts, always freshly ironed). Too many bugs here in Michigan, so the long pants actually help in case I have to go into the high grass or woods (to look for my playing partners balls of course).

However, I would prefer the NO SHORTS option to the "cut off cammies and grunge band tee-shirts that I see so often on course.  It is not a fashion thing.  It just seems that people that are dressed down are also not the most well mannered folks that I have run into.