Can you wear leggings to play golf? This is a question I received recently. The golf course dress code is a contentious issue. Many golfers cannot understand why they are forced to wear pants and polos but cannot wear jeans and a t-shirt.

Regarding female golfer’s dressing code, the standard golf attire is a skirt or shorts and a collared shirt. However, in recent years we have seen the rules relaxed to allow players to wear more comfortable golf gear. In this post, I will explain when leggings are permitted and when you need to follow tradition.

Speaking of golf apparel, we also answer the question of using a golf skirt vs tennis skirt to navigate the links.

Can Women Wear Leggings on The Golf Course?

Yes, women can wear leggings on a golf course, although in general it comes with conditions. Golf courses and tournaments determine the relevant dress code. Therefore, you are at their mercy. However, you do find tournaments and courses that allow ladies to wear leggings.

For example, in 2017, the LPGA affirmed that leggings are prohibited unless worn underneath shorts or a skirt. Therefore, professional lady golfers cannot sport leggings on their own.

At a local level, the guidelines are determined by your golf course or the provincial or state golf association.

Why Are Leggings Only Allowed Under Shorts Or A Skort?

Leggings are considered casual wear, a category of clothing that traditionalists have little time for. Using this golf gear on its own may detract from the formal appearance golf courses and golf associations wish to uphold.

Women’s Dress Code at Most Golf Courses

Municipal Golf Courses

Admittedly, there are golf courses with an unbothered approach to your dress sense. These are usually in the form of Municipal golf courses, where the green fees are highly affordable, and everybody is welcome.

Although numerous exceptional golf courses exist worldwide, some are neglected on the maintenance front.

Course conditions aside, municipal layouts may sometimes permit wearing leggings, t-shirts, and denim. As laid back as they are, do not expect to get away with using sandals or flip-flops. They still enforce some respectability. As a result, golf shoes or sneakers are required.

Country Clubs

Country Clubs are sticklers for the rules and demand slacks, skirts or shorts, and polo shirts. The course I grew up playing on had the rule that your socks had to sit above your ankles. Which did not sit well with me in the 95-degree summer heat.

Certain country clubs may permit to wear leggings, but they likely follow the same approach as the LPGA Tour. Therefore, leggings are only allowed when worn underneath skorts or shorts. If you are playing as a guest at a Country Club, check the dress code before selecting your outfit. Each club has the authority to institute local rules and may differ from your home course.

As far as winter great goes, most country clubs frown upon apparel such as hoodies and baseball caps. Therefore a safer bet is a waterproof top or a sweater and a regular cap or visor.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Leggings

Optimal Range Of Motion

Leggings provide optimal stretch, which boosts your range of motion when you swing and walk. This enhances your comfort while navigating the golf course. In addition, the increased freedom enables you to induce maximum lower body rotation during your swing. As a result, you generate increased power and keep your clubhead on path through impact.

Heat Regulation

Adding to their comfortable nature is effective in heat regulation. In layman’s terms, when your body cools down, the fabric of the clothing works to trap the heat underneath the leggings. This keeps your lower body warm in the cold.

Conversely, as you warm up, the regulating qualities cool your body to a comfortable temperature. This occurs before you realize that you are starting to boil.

Overall, leggings look after your legs in cold and warm conditions to keep you comfortable on the golf course. But remember, you will likely need to throw shorts or a skirt over it if you are to wear them at a Country Club.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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I opted not to wear a glove for most of my life because I preferred to feel the golf grips in my hands for optimal feedback. Over time, calluses built up on my fingers, prompting me to start using one.

On the opposite end of the spectrum – a few readers recently asked if you can wear two gloves in golf?

Yes, you can use two gloves in golf, and nothing prevents you from doing that. While it prevents blisters on both hands, it reduces the feel and feedback on shots, which I am not personally a fan of.

In this post, I will unpack the features and benefits of using two gloves to help you decide if it works for you. In addition, I have included the 3 best golf gloves for 2022.

Why do Golfers Typically Only Play with One Glove?

This is a question I have made to every golf coach, pro, and equipment expert I have ever known. I usually get the response that a golfer wears the glove on their lead hand, which is common knowledge. By the way, your left hand is your lead if you are a right-hander, while the opposite is true for lefties.

My ulterior motive for wearing a single glove is that I enjoy having one part of my hand on the rubber grip. This improves my feel and feedback, which I desire on all shots. I take it a step further on short-game shots and remove my glove.

Professionals and amateurs employ a glove on the hand that goes at the top of their grip. This is the hand that maintains the stability of the golf club on your backswing and guides the clubface into place on the downswing. As a result, it creates increased friction with the grip and can rip your palm to shreds.

Can You Wear Two Gloves Instead of One?

Nothing is stopping you from making like Tommy and using Two Gloves. It boils down to personal preference and what provides the highest level of comfort. I also know golfers who wear gloves on both hands in the rain. They do it purely for increased traction, to achieve a good grip in miserable weather.

The point is there are different strokes for different folks, and preferences vary. The core objective is to ensure maximum traction and control of your golf club while keeping your hand comfortable.

Pros Who Use Two Gloves

Other than the South Carolina native, Gainey, no two glove-wearing pros come to mind. At least, not under normal circumstances. If you haven’t witnessed Two Gloves Gainey in action, here is a video of one of his better shots on the PGA Tour.

You will find tour pros wearing two gloves in wet weather, but those are extenuating circumstances. Once again, it is a matter of personal preference, and some pros may, in its place, prefer using a single waterproof glove in the rain.

Which Hand Does The Glove Go On, and Why?

When you use one golf glove, it fits onto your lead hand. That is your right hand if you are lefty, and your left if you are right-handed. The purpose for this is the friction your lead hand creates during your golf swing.

For example, the left mitt ensures the stability of your golf club on your backswing for right-handers. This keeps your clubhead on a path to make it easier to drop the clubface into position on your downswing.

Ultimately, your lead hand creates added friction from takeaway through impact,  leaving it susceptible to blisters and calluses.

3 of My Favorite Golf Gloves

1. TaylorMade Stratus Tech Glove

The TaylorMade Stratus Tech glove is the best option for hot and humid conditions. This durable construction produces exceptional breathability, 4-way stretch, and traction.

TaylorMade employed a combination of Hypertec material and leather to increase comfort without impacting durability. In addition, two gloves are included in this package to ensure that you always have a spare on hand.

Furthermore, the Stratus Tech is littered with perforations around the palm and fingers. The aim is to encourage maximum airflow through the glove to restrict the build-up of sweat. Therefore, your hand remains cool, dry, and comfortable while wearing the glove.

Lastly, the design team crafted the Stratus Tech glove with 4-way stretchable material. That means your palm and wrist enjoy optimal freedom of movement on your back and downswing. As a result, you can generate the needed power to execute a long, straight shot.

Pros

• Optimal breathability
• Maximum freedom of movement
• Provides exceptional grip in humid conditions
• Comfortable
• Keeps your hand cool and dry

Cons

• The fit is smaller than usual, so consider one size larger

FootJoy FLX Cadet Glove

If your palms are wider and your fingertips shorter than usual, you need a cadet golf glove. The extra width increases your comfort and the lifespan of your glove. The Footjoy FLX Cadet is my top pick for this category.

The FLX Cadet sports a 3-directional comfort closure to ensure that glove is securely fastened when you swing your golf club. Plus, this design reduces the tension and pressure felt at the closure point for added support.

Furthermore, a comfortable wrist elastic appears on the back of the glove to provide an ideal fit without strangling your hand. Therefore, it reduces pressure in this area to increase the freedom of motion while swinging.

FootJoy was not done with comfort yet. They decided to employ perforations on the knuckles and fingers to enhance breathability. The moisture control system works to keep your hand dry and cool to restrict the build-up of sweat.

Finally, the FLX Cadet glove is concocted with Cabretta leather. The leather offers an exceptionally soft, pleasant feel for the ultimate in luxury.

Pros

• Built for golfers with wider palms and shorter fingers
• Enhanced moisture control
• Superior comfort
• Soft feel
• Optimal grip

Cons

• Reduced durability and lifespan

Callaway Weather Spann Glove

As much as we love to play golf with blue skies and sun in the sky, that is not always possible. That is why you need a glove that can handle all conditions. The first prize is to acquire separated gloves to handle each scenario. However, if you are on a budget and need a two-in-one option, the Callaway Weather Spann Glove is one choice.

This is my top all-weather pick, and it is surprisingly affordable. It provides excellent durability, flex, and comfort for an all-around performance. Starting with the 4-way stretch synthetics, which feature around the knuckles. This is done to increase the flexibility around this area for superior support.

Furthermore, an Opti-Fit adjustable velcro closure gives you the power to secure your glove as tightly as is necessary. That way, you are assured it will not move or come loose on your backswing.

Callaway went a step further than most manufacturers on the breathability front. The team added perforations to the palm, top of the hand, and fingers. This promotes a cool breeze to consistently enter the inside of the glove and keeps your hand dry in warm weather.

Moreover, the design added reinforced palm patches to boost your grip in all weather. Therefore, whether it is scorching outside or the rain is bucketing down, you have the traction required to control your golf club.

Pros

• Exceptional breathability
• 4-way stretch synthetics
• Affordable
• Comfortable
• It provides increased traction in the wet

Cons

• The perforated holes can cause water to seep into the grip in heavy rain

FAQ

Why do pro golfers remove their glove after every shot?

The main purpose for pro golfers removing their glove after every shot is to air dry their hand out and keep it free of sweat. Admittedly, some golfers take it off after every strike because it is part of their routine.

Should I Wear 1 or 2 Gloves?

I suggest wearing 1 glove so that one hand is exposed to the rubber of the grip. This allows your bottom hand to experience the feel of the club at address and the feedback at impact. I like this because I can feel where I struck the club in the face and why the ball ended where it did.

Related Reading: Those golfers satisfied with a single glove setup should read our review on how long golf gloves last.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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If you are new to golf, you may be surprised to learn that appropriate attire is required. Most golf courses have a dress code that must be adhered to, even if you are simply showing up for a golf lesson.

Not knowing what to wear to your first golf lesson can be stressful. Our goal with this article is to help you with that. Here’s a look at what to wear and avoid at your golf lessons.

What’s Acceptable to Wear to a Golf Lesson

Men

If you’re a guy who’s taking your first golf lesson, you must make sure you are wearing some type of collared shirt. This is because most golf courses have a dress code that requires collared shirts for men. A short-sleeved polo shirt or a standard golf shirt are excellent choices for your first lesson.

As far as bottoms, men can decide between long pants or shorts. If the weather is on the cooler side, consider wearing either khakis or some type of slacks. If it’s in the heat of summer, any type of golf shorts are perfectly acceptable at most clubs.

As far as footwear goes, things are pretty flexible. Some golfers like to wear tennis shoes while on the driving range while others will opt for golf shoes. If you choose to wear golf shoes to your first lesson, opt for ones with soft spikes because metal spikes aren’t allowed at some courses.

Women

Women golfers have a few more options as far as the top goes. At most clubs, ladies can wear sleeveless tops as long as the shirt has a collar. Women can also choose to wear a turtleneck or crew-neck top if it has sleeves.

As far as the bottoms, ladies can choose from golfing pants, golf shorts, or a skirt. Another option is skorts, which is a combination between a skirt and shorts. As a general rule, skirts or shorts must come down to around the knee.

Footwear choices for women golfers are the same as men’s. Any type of golf shoes or tennis shoes is acceptable, as long as they are spikeless or have soft spikes. Socks that are about ankle high are also a good idea.

What You Should Never Wear to a Golf Lesson

Men

While some golf courses have relaxed their respective dress codes over the last few years, the large majority of them don’t allow any type of denim. So, unfortunately, this means no blue jeans or blue jean shorts. It’s also a good idea not to show up in workout shorts (aka basketball shorts).

As far as the top goes, men should never show up to a golf lesson in t-shirts or tank tops. While both of these are very comfortable, neither one is considered to be proper golfing attire. Remember, golf is a gentleman’s game and you aren’t at the gym.

For footwear, never show up to your lesson in flip-flops or sandals. If you do, make sure you have golf shoes to change into before meeting your instructor. It’s also smart to wear socks to prevent blisters from getting on your feet.

Women

While stylish off the course, women shouldn’t wear capris to a golf lesson. They also should avoid denim shorts and denim skirts, even though a few courses may allow them. They also should avoid shorts or skirts that are too short.

As far as the top goes, ladies should never show up wearing only a sports bra. While this is perfectly fine at almost any gym, it’s not considered proper golf etiquette.

To avoid footwear faux pas, don’t show up to your lesson in boots or heels. This is basic common sense, but as they say, common sense ain’t common these days.

Other Things to Bring to a Lesson

Like a lot of other sports, golf requires lots of accessories. Let’s go over some of the most important accessories to bring with you to your golf lessons.

1. Visor or Baseball Cap

While no headgear is required at a golf lesson, it’s not a bad idea to wear a baseball cap or a visor. This is especially true if your lesson is going to be outdoors. A quality cap or visor will keep both the sun and sweat out of your eyes.

2. Sunglasses

Again, sunglasses aren’t essential but they are nice to have on extremely sunny days at the driving range. I don’t wear sunglasses during my golf lessons because I feel it messes with my depth perception when looking at the ball. That said, a countless number of golfers wear sunglasses both on the course and during their golf lessons.

3. Golf Glove

This one is an essential item because you want to have a good grip on the golf club. During a golf lesson, your golf instructor will be asking you to make several swings. Without a quality golf glove, you’ll likely get an uncomfortable blister or two.

4. Sunscreen

It always pays to have sunscreen in your golf bag, especially during the warmer months. A nasty sunburn is not only incredibly painful but it’s also unhealthy for your skin.

5. Sweaters or Jackets

Either of these will come in handy during the winter months. You don’t want to get too cold on the driving range during your golf lesson. Just make sure that your sweater or jacket fits loosely and doesn’t restrict your golf swing in any way.

6. Bottle of Water

Most golf lessons range from 30 minutes to an hour. You’ll want to have water on hand to stay hydrated during your breaks. The last thing you want is to start cramping up during your golf lesson because of dehydration.

7. A Couple of Golf Towels

It’s nice to keep a couple of golf towels on hand for your golf lessons. You can use one to wipe sweat from your head and arms and the other to clean off your irons after using them.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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You’ve got a set of golf clubs, golf accessories, and you’re almost ready to play your first round. The optimal word being almost. Since you have the right equipment, now you need to look the part of a golfer. Whether it’s a private or public course, you can’t roll up to the course with jeans and a t-shirt. Dressing the part will not only help you look like a golfer, but you’ll have a more comfortable experience. Here’s what to wear for your first golf outing.

It’s Not Always Sunny – Check The Weather Reports

Before you go browsing the stores, you’ll want to take a look at the projected forecast for the day. Hopefully, it won’t rain on your first round, but it’s better to be prepared. On the other hand, you also want to be prepared for extremes. Wearing pants in the middle of summer in Arizona or Florida isn’t fun, nor is wearing shorts and a polo in the fall and winter.

Golf Clothes: What To Buy?

Now that you have a general idea of the weather report, it’s time to go shopping! Whether you prefer shopping online or going to the local golf store, it’s always best to try before you buy. Particular brands don’t matter as long they are specific for golf, meaning they have Dri-fit material to them. If you wanted to dress like a certain G.O.A.T. and buy a red polo with black slacks, feel free. Ultimately, it’s up to you what colors you want to wear.

• Hat
• Shirt
• Pants/shorts
• Shoes/socks
• Outerwear – Rain Gear

Hat

Having headwear on the golf course does more than block out the sun. Whether it’s a visor or golf hat, they help keep the sweat off your eyes. Plus they help block harmful UV rays from the sun if there isn’t a lot of cloud coverage. If the temperatures are colder, you may want to consider wearing a beanie instead.

Tops

A golf polo is standard wear for a shirt. Our recommendation is to buy a Dri-fit polo or a polo that is moisture-wicking. If you are playing on a hot day, a Dri-fit polo breathes and keeps the sweat off. During cooler weather, you may want to opt for a long sleeve polo. Picking up a quarter-zip is always encouraged as you can easily remove it if you get warm during your round.

Bottoms

Shorts or Slacks? Either work in warm temperatures, but personal preference, shorts are better when it’s hot. Denim is not permitted at courses but, when deciding which to choose, it’s best to take a look at the course dress code. This is typically located directly on the course website. If you are playing in Scotland, kilts are also permitted. For female golfers, skirts, shorts, or pants can be worn at the course. Some courses have length restrictions, so confirm this before purchasing your bottoms.

Shoes & Socks

If you are in a pinch and are playing a public course, you can get away with wearing cross-trainers. The preferred shoe is one specifically made for golf. The difference is that they have small spikes on the bottom so they grip the grass better than a pair of sneakers. As far as socks, it depends on the weather. For the warmer days, Dri-fit socks are the best route. If it’s cold out you’ll want to wear thicker socks than you would wear for the summer.

Outerwear – Rain Gear

During the fall and winter, you’ll want to bring a golf jacket with you. Especially if it’s windy. In the unfortunate event of rain, we recommend wearing a rain jacket and pants. The minimum should be a golf umbrella, to help protect you from showers.

Now that you have a golf outfit you’ll not only look the part, but you’ll feel the part. Unless you choose a ridiculous color scheme, you won’t look like a fool walking onto the course. You’ve got your equipment and your golf clothes, now you’re are ready to learn more about the game. Look out for Part 3 in our Golf for Beginners Series – Golf Etiquette.

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