102 replies to this topic

[nickdanger]

I very much went to extremes in my examples. A person can be well-dressed in attire not meeting the dress code, and not well dressed in attire that meets the dress code. Jeans can run the gamut from very nice to disgusting. So can most any other attire. I think the attitude that a pair of jeans is totally unacceptable on any part of a club's property is ridiculous. I agree that there needs to be some level of decorum. Times change and attitudes change with them. If country clubs expect to survive and prosper they will need to change with the times. I think it also depends on where you live. The west coast is traditionally much more casual than the east coast. I live in the northwest which is even more casual. The game of golf should be treated with respect. But in my book that respect has more to do with your attitude on the course, and how you treat your fellow competitors, than whether or not you wear a nice pair of jeans in the grill room on a Friday night.

[jaskanski]

I don't think jeans are the issue - rather it's the intention behind the need to wear them. If the aforementioned 'well heeled' individual is arrogant enough to think the club rules do not apply to him and he can wear what he pleases 'just beacause it costs more than your average' - speaks volumes about the kind of individual that has the thought process that deems them acceptable. Rules are set in place to determine an acceptable dress code for gentlemen to adhere to. It is not open to interpretation by the cost or fashion status of each garment. If a club exists where they are shallow enough to allow designer jeans but no Wal - Mart slacks, then I'm afraid that they have missed the point. Dress code has a reason, but if you think it's an oppurtunity to display social status, then I'm afraid you're a sad human being. As it has been mentioned before, most people can afford a set of clubs and a green fee - but suddenly feel the urge to look like Climie Fisher the moment a club issues a dress code. Why? Do they also intend to wear hiking boots and refuse to repair any spike marks  'just because they can'?

Edited by jaskanski, 07 February 2010 - 01:37 PM.

[mshills]

I never even think to look up whether jeans are allowed anywhere I play, because I would never dream of going to a golf course in jeans. Not a chance would I ever purchase a membership to a "club" that allowed jeans.

[farmer]

Country club culture has changed.  In my area, every club with a big formal clubhouse and dining room has to charge a monthly food allowance because it is no longer an event to dress up and go to the club for dinner and drinks.  Outside the really elite clubs, every club needs to attract a younger crowd to perk up the roster.  Make at least some area that is not so formal.  

[CPSOX]

mrhills0146, on 07 February 2010 - 01:35 PM, said:

I never even think to look up whether jeans are allowed anywhere I play, because I would never dream of going to a golf course in jeans. Not a chance would I ever purchase a membership to a "club" that allowed jeans.

LOL.  You'd be knocked over at what clubs allow jeans in the clubhouse.....

Like someone else said, some of the most elite clubs in the world are ones with the most laid back rules.

[odie]

If jeans were not allowed at the bar at our club they would lose 75% of the members, most of the members stop in after work to have a drink and shoot the bull...there's no way they would go home and change before stopping in. We are deverse in the line of work of our members both white & blue collar workers.

So I don't have a problem with jeans in the club house and we do have a dress code for the course.

[Sid Vicious]

radiman, on 06 February 2010 - 06:00 PM, said:

Why does it matter at all what people are wearing? This is a big reason why I will never belong to a country club. Well, that and I don't want to spend thousands of dollars a year to golf. If someone is dressed decently whether it be in jeans or slacks it should be acceptable. If they're a member of a country club I doubt they're going to show up in cutt off jean shorts and an undershirt for golf. But then again there is the part where clubs like that are exclusive and can make pretty much whatever rule they want. I just think it's ridiculous how some people are appauled by the fact that someone dare show up in denim. But to each their own.

The club I go to has a loose policy. Jeans are OK, looking like you just came in from a construction site is not. It's never a problem.

Yesterday and the day before we ere finally able to play after two days of solid rain. The course was a mess. No carts off the paths, lift, clean and place, muddy divots a foot long, just a quagmire. I must have cleaned mud off my glasses at least four times after hitting iron shots. it was nasty, but a lot of fun too.

Our regular skins game went off, and in the three groups, probably 3 out of four guys were wearing jeans. Just as well too, since we all looked like we had been hiking through a quicksand field when we were done. A pair of slacks wouldn't have been good for the thrift shop after wading around in that mess for four hours.

We have a nice, laid-back atmosphere at our club. People stop in all the time for a sandwich and a buck-and-a-half beer and to see who else is hanging out, and no one really bothers with what everyone else is wearing. Matter of fact, a conversation about jeans at the club did come up, but only because a couple of us saw it on this site, and it was pretty much the concensus that it was better to be casual and relaxed.

OTOH, less than a mile away is a club with a ritzy clubhouse, dress code, 6$ beers and all the other trappings of an upscale club. It closed about a year ago and now a really nice track is going to seed.

A lot of the members at our place were either members there or own homes along the course but most of them dropped out before the place fell apart. They all say the same thing; The place was no fun whatsoever. Now, they just sit out on their back patios just watching it waste away, wondering when someone is going to come along and make it a subdivision.

I suppose some people need those things in a club, and I'm certainly not going to question their motivations, but it seems to me that if you spend thousands to belong to a club, you should at least be able to feel comfortable there. From what I gathered about the place that closed, one of the reasons they were losing membership was because people felt like it was a chore to go there just to play golf, not to mention any of the other social functions. All of the uptight rules made them feel self-conscious about going there. It can't be any fun when you always feel like people are judging you based on the 3-4 hours the see you once a week.

Enjoying yourself is what club life is supposed to be about; it's not some kind of contest to see who can be the most "appropriate."

Edited by Sid Vicious, 07 February 2010 - 05:07 PM.

[dan360]

We are becoming a more casual society.

There are multi-millionaires up here in the northwest who dress just as casual--sometimes worse--than loggers...of course some *are* loggers haha but jeans are all over the Microsoft campus daily...

I'm not a member of a private club, but my course is just as nice as one.  There is a private club on the other end of town owned by the same group, and the members there have talked in the past about more casual attire being acceptable.....but the pacific northwest lifestyle is different than other area.

Edited by DL5treez, 07 February 2010 - 05:35 PM.

[mshills]

farmer, on 07 February 2010 - 02:06 PM, said:

Country club culture has changed. In my area, every club with a big formal clubhouse and dining room has to charge a monthly food allowance because it is no longer an event to dress up and go to the club for dinner and drinks. Outside the really elite clubs, every club needs to attract a younger crowd to perk up the roster. Make at least some area that is not so formal.

Understand the point, and many private clubs are struggling and need a full-court press on member recruitment. Completely agree there. I also don't much care for the new-money Mc-Mine-Is-Bigger-Than-Yours clubhouse. I certainly would not want to pay a hefty assessment for such a building.

Where I disagree is that I don't believe that "dressing up" equates to "not wearing jeans."

[6keith]

Our club allows them in the mens grill only, period. Even so, you typically don't see them except on Friday late afternoons with some guys playing cards or just dropping by for drinks. I just dont think jeans have a place at a private club just me

[Chappie]

Since some people actually spend close to 200 dollars for their jeans, I don't see why they can't wear them in casual areas of the club.

I realize the point of the country club setting, but it's one of the reasons I prefer to go Muni/public courses (and I am privileged enough to have exceptionally nice public courses in the area) when I'm not playing with friends of mine who belong to different local clubs. A lot of people who frequent CC's (at least in this area) are just out of touch with reality in so many respects, are insensitive and generally, very self-centered. Obviously there are exceptions to this, but generally, that's what I see.

What I find funny is that, again in my opinion, nice jeans and a button down shirt tucked in with a nice belt looks a lot nicer then half of the crap people wear on the course anymore. Some of Adidas', FJ's and Puma's shirts and apparel are hardly the attire that you'd expect all things considering. Obviously that doesn't mean I approve of jeans anywhere that isn't a casual environment, just saying that if country clubs want to enforce jean codes so strictly, they should also consider enforcing actual course wear.

[Pepperturbo]

nickdanger, on 07 February 2010 - 12:36 PM, said:

I very much went to extremes in my examples. A person can be well-dressed in attire not meeting the dress code, and not well dressed in attire that meets the dress code. Jeans can run the gamut from very nice to disgusting. So can most any other attire. I think the attitude that a pair of jeans is totally unacceptable on any part of a club's property is ridiculous. I agree that there needs to be some level of decorum. Times change and attitudes change with them. If country clubs expect to survive and prosper they will need to change with the times. I think it also depends on where you live. The west coast is traditionally much more casual than the east coast. I live in the northwest which is even more casual. The game of golf should be treated with respect. But in my book that respect has more to do with your attitude on the course, and how you treat your fellow competitors, than whether or not you wear a nice pair of jeans in the grill room on a Friday night.

Your idea is fine except it doesn't take into account for the most part "man" struggles with "judgment".  It's for that reason dress codes exist and stereotyping is often done during membership screening process.  One guy might think dressing up means suite, another slacks and dress shirt, or slacks and golf shirt and nice sweater, and still others think pressed jeans or jean shorts, tennis shoes and sandals are acceptable, yet the event theme calls for dressy.  When in CA I've attended many fund raising BT events where a suite was minimal attire; yet people would show up in an expensive car, maybe limo and dressed in pressed jeans and some fancy shirt and lots of bling..

At my last club for a short period we eliminated the dress code with the express purpose of seeing what happens.  Part of that dress code defined where shoes and cloths can be changed.  Over a period of a month some members lost all sense of judgment.  People dumped lockers and lock room in favor of regularly changing shoes, even shirts, pants/shorts, etc in the parking lot.  Some showed up to practice and play golf in jean shorts.  

In the dinning room some guys still wore jacket and ties as before.  Others worn nice dress shirts, while some people thought golf shirts and Hawaiian shirts were appropriate, and cords and jeans with a casual shirt.  Hats were worn everywhere.  In that month, the place began looking like a Muni parking lot, a Sizzler restaurant and the club room looked like a burger joint.  

Thankfully complaints mounted fast from the majority of members forcing us on the board to quickly put back into place our dress code.  As we expected those that abused the month long elimination of dress code complained.  But it was those people that struggled with what was appropriate where... in other words judgment. 

Edited by Pepperturbo, 08 February 2010 - 03:42 PM.

[Sawgrass]

You're not supposed to change your pants in the parking lot?

[Pepperturbo]

  I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and how many times others said they noticed the same.  We owed that piece of judgment to the 20 something crowd that paid partial dues.  

Pardon my editing people... dyslexia has it's moments.

Edited by Pepperturbo, 08 February 2010 - 03:42 PM.

[irwinfletcher77]

It's sad really to hear some of the comments in this discussion.

[anders]

Provided they have the distressed look and are accompanied by either a Slayer or Rolling Stones T Shirt!

[phil75070]

A club doesn't have to allow jeans to be a comfortable, welcoming, relaxing, fun place to be. That has to do with personalities, not attire. Dress codes can be very relaxed, allowing for shorts (gets pretty hot here in Texas in the Summer) and even tennis attire while still banning denim. Of the two clubs where I reside, dress codes are the same (no jeans) and one is at full membership while it is the difficulty of the course, not any dress code, that keeps membership down at the other.

Edited by phil75070, 08 February 2010 - 04:23 PM.

[Sawgrass]

If I were denim I'd get a smurf for a lawyer and sue for discrimination.

[deadsolid...shank]

It makes me feel better knowing that the "jeans police" squad is still out there keeping the riff-raff off the good courses. Its good to know that the dentist, lawyer, and business owner that I play with regularly at our club won't be sullying any of the nice establishments while wearing jeans.

Maybe its due to the fact that we are in an area that historically has been agriculturally driven, but jeans are pretty much a way of life and you'll see people from all walks of life wearing them, both on the course and in the clubhouse. Maybe this area is a little less pretensious than others, I don't know.

The one thing I am sure of is that how a person conducts themselves on the course, and what they are like to play with means a whole lot more to me than what they are wearing.

[stage1350]

My simpler question is why would you want to wear jeans to golf?  Are you Jack Hamm?  You have less restricted movement and better ability to manage heat in a good pair of slacks than you ever would in denim.

And some people push dress codes to the limits regardless of where they are:

[deadsolid...shank]

stage1350, on 09 February 2010 - 09:23 AM, said:

My simpler question is why would you want to wear jeans to golf?  Are you Jack Hamm?  You have less restricted movement and better ability to manage heat in a good pair of slacks than you ever would in denim.

POW. I do agree with you, jeans are definetly not as comfortable. The reason for me is that I wear jeans to work and I usually go out during the middle of the day, play our quick round, and then back to work. I would rather wear a pair of khakis to play, and if I'm not working that day, that is usually the case. But I think this thread is about jeans in the clubhouse and I think I probably got off track with it.

[Pepperturbo]

Thanks stage1350... now you've done it.  My eyes and memory are tainted for least half the day.  The only feasible way to recoup is visit Maxim for eye food.









Now, I feel better

Edited by Pepperturbo, 09 February 2010 - 11:11 AM.

[dan360]

There are many comments on this thread that worry me about the true character of those who are posting.  

[mikeh1]

DL5treez, on 09 February 2010 - 11:41 AM, said:

There are many comments on this thread that worry me about the true character of those who are posting.  

I'm just laughing at some posters.......who take things so seriously...

[Pepperturbo]

and you measure true character using...

[stevepoz]

I, and I think most if not all of the board, thanks you for that visual response.

[gqjeff]

I belong to a couple clubs. 1 semi private and 1 private. The private club does not allow jeans and the semi private does. Its funny reading what some guys are posting as I have friends that wear jeans from time to time that would happily take your money while u r dressed to a T in your double pleated ugly as hell khaki's.. If you are wearing them guys lets get to 2010 flat fronts fellas flat fronts. Pleats are 1980's. Yes many of the guys wearing khakis are wearing 20 yr old crappy khakis at that LOL. I for one do not wear jeans golfing but I do not ever look at what someone is wearing and brand them as something. As someone else mentioned some of my jeans are North of $250 a pair more then many of the old guys outfits that are deemed club worthy. If you go back to page 1 on this thread and look at post 20 that makes me laugh. If you truly felt that way why would you have am avatar like the one you do? As I said I could care less what your have as an avatar showing who you are, but if you truly feel that way and expect that I do not think that it suits who you are or trying to make yourself come off as.

I will stick to letting the golf game do the talking for whatever attire they choose to wear. Also why should golf only be for the fortunate ones? Some people save money to play not buy golf clothing that implies you are accepted. I would rather play with a good stick dressed like a hobo then some pompous a** that sucks but think he looks good...

just my 2 cents...

[Pepperturbo]

ggjeff, sounds like you're not fully aware of what constitutes GQ in places like NY, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, places I frequent; or up on what kind of slacks many tour guys wear.  Zenella Italian wool is #1, and Jesse pleats are real popular.  That's not a put down any other slacks as I also own Dockers too. 

[gqjeff]

Plain and simple pleats look like a** and also make u look fat around the hips. They are not GQ in my book or any other book since flat fronts have hit the scene. Sorry they look good if you are 50 and older maybe LOL. I do not forsee me ever wearing pleats again.

PS I could care less what tour guys are wearing. They are paid to wear it and I am not on tour. Also JL/Puma and the hip styles are mostly flat fronts. These are the styles I wear.

Edited by gqjeff, 10 February 2010 - 06:13 PM.

[r23]

pleats  vs   flat front       flat front gets my vote(there more like jeans ,haha)