Modern Golf Clothing... What Are We Doing?

There’s something undeniably stylish about Arnold Palmer gliding down the fairway in a crisp polo and tailored trousers. In contrast, today’s pros often waddle around in ill-fitting, tight, synthetic "performance" gear, making it hard not to sigh wistfully for the days when golfers dressed like gentlemen rather than sporting Lycra-clad billboard advertisements. But what made players like Palmer look so much better? Let’s tee up some answers.

For one, Arnold Palmer’s clothes fit him perfectly - because they were likely tailored to his physique. His trousers skimmed his legs without suffocating them, while his polos rested neatly on his frame, striking the ideal balance between comfort and elegance. Properly fitted clothing flatters the body, creating clean lines and a polished silhouette.

I’m no fashion guru or impeccable dresser on the course, but it doesn’t take a style expert to notice the shortcomings of much of today’s golf apparel. As I read up on menswear and followed menswear expert Derek Guy on X, I began to appreciate the nuances and details of quality clothing. Suddenly, my eyes were opened to the flaws in modern attire.

Modern golf fashion often misses the mark.

Many players wear clothes that are far too tight, mistakenly equating compression with athleticism. Slim, stretchy fabrics cling to the body, leaving little room for comfort or movement. Worse still, the reliance on synthetic materials, which don’t drape as naturally as cotton or wool, exacerbates the problem by accentuating every crease and contour. Instead of looking tailored, many outfits resemble second skins more suited for a cycling race than a golf course.

In Palmer’s era, the emphasis on natural fibers and expert tailoring meant that garments flowed with the body’s movements while maintaining structure. Today’s overly snug fits and shiny polyester blends may claim to enhance performance, but they sacrifice the timeless grace that defined Palmer’s wardrobe.

When considering bottoms, trousers in Palmer’s time were high-waisted, sitting at the natural waist to elongate the legs and create better proportions. They draped cleanly over the hips and thighs, avoiding that dreaded "puddling" of fabric at the ankles. When trousers don’t fit properly, they can cling to the back of the legs and be too tight through the hips, causing the pockets to flare out. A back-rise that is too long without proper fill leads to fabric gathering and rippling down the leg - not a desirable look.

Today’s low-rise pants seem to be in a grudge match with gravity, making legs look shorter and torsos longer, creating a silhouette more befitting a gangly teenager than a professional athlete. Even worse, many players overlook the wonders of a good tailor’s hemming services, resulting in trousers that bunch and billow like a collapsing gazebo. We should aim for no break or a quarter break on our pants - not a full break or worse.

When viewing the entire outfit, one of the golden rules of style is the "rule of thirds." By dividing your outfit into proportional segments, you create balance and harmony. Palmer’s high-waisted trousers and tucked-in polos adhered to this principle, elongating his legs and framing his torso perfectly.

In contrast, modern golf outfits seem to actively disregard this rule. Untucked shirts and low-rise trousers skew proportions, making players appear stumpy and boxy. It’s as if today’s golfers are dressing to rebel against geometry itself.

Golf is a game steeped in tradition, and while many of those traditions can be outdated, sexist, or ageist, there’s no place for them in 2025. However, looking good—sharp, put together, classy, timeless, and suave—is always in style.

Oh, and don't get me started with hoodies on the golf course.