At many country clubs the rules on skirt length are quite clear. As in:"Skirts must be no greater than 4 inches above the middle of the kneecap"or how about:
"Skirts/skorts must measure at least fourteen (14) inches from the waistband to the bottom of the skort and to within a scorecard width measure or four (4) inches of the top of the knee".OK...gulp. While not all dress code directives are so draconian, most make it clear that ultra-short skirts are not acceptable.
Some use interpretive language like "must not be shorter than mid-thigh" or "must be of appropriate length", but the fact is, at many country clubs, the outfits worn by some of today's most prominent LPGA professionals clearly would not meet written dress code standards. At least not if a tape measure (or a scorecard) were taken to them.
Of course, that won't happen. These girls are star athletes, when they play in tournaments at conservative country clubs the dress code police obviously turn a blind eye to an extra few inches of exposed thigh.
But what about the rest of the female population... those of us with higher handicaps and less-than-stellar swings? What would happen to us if we showed up at Silver Creek with a skirt like the one Michelle Wie wore last weekend (pictured above)... or like those Natalie Gulbis typically wears (pictured below)? Would we be shown the door... or just given a verbal warning? Or... does it depend?
These days, I think it's safe to say that most public courses... even high-end public courses that post a dress code... are in fact, very lenient about skirt length. Same goes for resort courses. While they may forbid denim and collarless shirts, if a skirt or skort is long enough to be recognized as such... that is, if it doesn't look like an extended belt... it'll probably pass inspection.I tend to wear my skirts/skorts rather short. I just prefer that look, and I've never any problem with dress code issues. However, I'm in a rather liberal part of the country and I don't often play at country clubs, so perhaps my experiences don't accurately reflect the dress code dangers lurking out there. But if you look at the latest styles from awesome golf apparel companies like Golftini, JoFit and Pahr it definitely seems super short is selling somewhere.
A couple of days ago Michelle Wie had an unfortunate aquatic incident at the Kia Classic that resulted in a much-reported, two point penalty. Some surmised her little white skirt might have been at least partially to blame. They suggested that the added pressure of knowing she'd have to keep that tiny swath of fabric in place if she lost her balance... might have in fact
distracted her. Some commenters lamented that today's players sacrifice functionality for fashion, and other commenters chimed in... and there seemed to be a bit of a backlash building against short golf styles. Which is what got me thinking about golf skirts and skorts... what's appropriate and what's not. The long and the short of it.What do you think? Are today's styles simply too short for the game? Have you ever heard of someone being sent home for a skirt length violation? Or is it just not that big a deal?Golf Pundit Patricia Hannigan, for a female perspective on the Tiger Woods scandal.
Photos: Top-Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America, Center-GolfGirlMedia, Bottom-GolfGirlMedia
Hey! I came across your blog while searching for golf attire. I am going to The Masters next weekend and I am wondering what a 25 yr. old female spectator should wear. I consider my fashion sense to be trendy and like to look fabulous, lol! I'm sure you can understand. I like the skort look from your post. I'm just wondering if that would be acceptable. Do you have any ideas? Thanks so much!-Meredith
ReplyDeleteIf you've got the legs for it then I say go for it!!!
ReplyDeleteMeredith....try Loudmouthgolf.com...they have some fun stuff. See ya at AN!
ReplyDeletei don't see how LPGA players dare to wear skirts knowing the cameras there(re:crouching while looking at putting line). isn't that why they invented skorts? oh well, i'll have to suffer and keep watching.
ReplyDeletePH,
ReplyDeleteThe policy guide requirements for ladies dress is overseen 100% by other ladies at the club.
It amazes me a 60 year-old, 40 pound overweight lady member is offended by a what a 115 pound junior looks like and not how SHE herself looks in a bathing suit 50 yards away at the pool.
My, God, unless I am more naive than I think, the most that could be seen if a skirt accident occurs is underpants. Again, you see three times that amount on every women at the pool.
I wanted to look up my private club's policy, but alas, the website is down again! Anyhow, I am thinking it is more restrictive than what the young ladies and the more fit ladies more my age are probably wearing.
ReplyDeleteIf a woman is wearing a thong or g-string and exposing herself when wearing such a short skirt, that's a problem (although I would be the last to complain!)- but as long as she is wearing the matching short, what's the problem?
At our club there is a dress code with a "mid-thigh rule". I don't think it's ever been tested as most of the women who play here are senior citizens and would not be inclined to wear anything near that short. The ironic thing is that the cart girls wear shorts so short they'd make a stripper blush and no one complains. Including me of course. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have been asked to leave a golf course because they determined my Nike golf short was too short. As it turned out, we discovered they sold the same skirt in their pro shop. I have long legs at 5'8" and 130 lbs. one of the most humiliating moments in my life!
DeleteThey Should apologize if they sold it in their shop - And they're the ones who should be embarrassed then!!
DeleteWe have a bunch at our club who see themselves as the dress code dictators. Mainly they target guys though for jeans or cargo shorts.
ReplyDeleteI think most of the LPGA players have on heavy weight shorts and not just panties. PH you always qualify under the "nice legs exception" at any club!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much only play in a golf skort, and I can't imaging playing golf in a skirt without some shorts on underneath. I have too much to worry about with my game! Some of the longer skorts just feel like too much fabric in the way.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, we have many customers who only want longer golf skorts. These are becoming more difficult to find each season as lot of the fashion golf brands have shifted their focus to the shorter skorts.
Wie in a wee skirt.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of gals being told their skorts were too short at CC's. The quickest solution is usually to throw on wind pants from one's golf bag.
ReplyDeleteI wear both, but usually the shorter ones. I've never had a problem (except when my zipper busted and I displayed polka dot underwear for the remaining two holes). But that could have happened with a long skort too. ;o)
I think it usually depends on whether someone complains or not.
My rule: If you have to apply sunscreen where you've never applied it before, your skort may be too short.
The club where my BF belongs just says appropriate attire must be worn at all times. Which seems to work fine. The club gives the members credit for knowing what's appropriate and they do. If a women wears a short skirt it's always a women who is in good shape and she always puts it together in a nice outfit. So no problem.
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:13 - First of all be aware that it's almost always kind of chilly at the Masters. So you might want to have an alternative to a short skort. But if it's warm that's a great look pair it with a really nice polo (like Michelle) and/or a sweater (like Natalie) and you'll be good to go. And remember you'll be walking up and down hills, on grass, dirt, and maybe mud so keep in mind you should wear shoes that can handle that. Oh BTW if you ask a guy advice on what to wear and he suggests a tube tops and a micro-mini skirt with knee socks... you might want to get a 2nd opinion. ;o)
ReplyDeleteMy friend wore a halter once and was sent to the proshop to buy a polo shirt. She wasn't happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat's worse than the short skirts (which I always assumed were skorts) on the LPGA is the horrible shirts some of these players are wearing which expose their midsection every time they swing. Also, some of the clothing on the LPGA would NEVER be allowed by us lowly regular golfers. It really pisses me off how they're treated like "divas". All golfers should be treated equally.
ReplyDeleteNot so sure about all golfers being treated equally, I would prefer a kind of meritocracy. That way you have an incentive. I shall be staying in long trousers this spring until I have spent enough time at the gym to merit a skort...
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer. It really seems to me like it depends. Some women look great, stylish and tasteful in short skirts/skorts. Others not so much. I think many ladies have a pretty good idea what colors, styles, lengths, etc. are flattering for them. Many guys might just say "short" no matter what, but I'm not in that group. Those women who have great legs (and I don't just mean slim) and are confident about wearing short skirts/skorts know who they are.
ReplyDeleteI do think the LPGA is extremely lenient with some of the golf wear exhibited by some of the players nowadays. This is a sport after all. There are some players who are always put together immaculately, Grace Park and Paula Creamer for instance, but there are others who are obviously trying to draw attention to themselves by wearing extremely revealing outfits, Natalie Gulbis and then Vicki Hursts outfit last week. In the case of Michelle Wie last week, due to the fact that her legs are so long, I don't feel her skirt was too short.
ReplyDeleteI heard that there are sites which give free ceiling fans to donate for breast cancer victims
ReplyDeleteI'll go with SOME skirts are too short - but expecting some women to understand and respect the more conservative traditions is about as affective as banging your head on a brick wall. All you'll get in return are "men don't understand fashion" (this isn't a fashion runway - it's a golf course) or "don't you tell me what to wear" (a real discussion killer right there - best to just walk away from that kind of person).
ReplyDeleteI have a bigger problem with not tucking in the shirts. Watching Karen Stupples and a few others during just the final round of the tournament this weekend, it looked like a round at a $10 muni. They looked sloppy, unkempt, and very unprofessional.
Style is great - Most of the women get it and ejoy it - but sloppy is not good.
On the skirts/ skorts! I personally love the shorter skirts. i'm petite measuring slightly under 5'2" and appx 119 lbs, I don't have mile long legs by any ones standards, tho I don't think they're all that bad for a 34 yr old girl : ) My ideal golf attire is a mid to slightly shorter skirts; as a child of the 80's/90's i envision SKORTS as the heinous skirt in front/ shorts in back]. While I def like to look feminine on the course. I wear a lot of fitted golf shirts that show some of my femine curves and wear loads of girlie colours. What I try to avoid is my outfit overshadowing my game and feeling like all eyes are on my outfit and amount of flesh showing and therefore am fairly middle of the road. Please consider that I play almost exclusively with men. I don't want to be a distraction to the guys nor draw unnessesary attention to my outfit instead of my occasional good golf shots. Hope that makes sense. As far as the ladies on the LPGA Tour, I agree with a lot of the comments - the mid-drift showing on every swing is a bit much.Other than that, I think the gals look very cute - tho I wouldn't be able to pull off most of the outfits or if I did, my game would have to be equally as good as the gals in the LPGA to feel comfortable wearing them at the local clubs, both public and private. Love your Blog! Thanks - Cameron
ReplyDeleteIn my personal experience most women on the golf course have good enough judgment to know what length skirt looks good on them. I really have no problem with the length as long as they pull it off. Well I take that back I've played with my girlfriend before and she wore a short skirt on purpose to get an edge over me in the game, it worked. You women have so many weapons.
ReplyDeleteShorts can ride up while golfers are walking on the course. Go to trypsst.com aND NEVER have this probloem again.
ReplyDeleteMy wife has been wearing short mini skirts on the golf course for years and she's never received a negative comment or been approached that it's too short. But I think it's that way because she has the long legs for it and looks good - so maybe it depends on the appeal to the marshals and pro shop. Your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteIf you look OK in a short skirt, why not? I play golf in various outfits including mini skirts. The worst that ever happens is that I occasionally flash my knickers on a tricky shot. The world hasn't ended yet, I accept it as a hazard of my dress style and it may make some guy's round a bit brighter. Big deal? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for golf skorts that aren't tennis but come to mid-thigh. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteWe have a bunch at our club who see themselves as the dress code dictators. Mainly they target guys though for jeans or cargo shorts. golf store online firm
ReplyDeleteI am a man who golfs. Women should be able to wear what they want as long as they not so outrageous that it bothers my game. I am a guy who will putt even if 3 of my golf partners are talking or laughing. I shut it out as well as I can shut out my wife's criticisms of me. I have complained that our society has already defeminized women. Euro women still wear dresses, skirts and other fashions that suit their feminine builds. When I see a woman in pants, it makes me think of men in dresses, ridiculous. Ladies on the LPGA tour that wear short skirts/skorts look fabulous. Plus, they can sure play the game,
ReplyDelete