The more skilled a golfer is, the less likely they are to head to the clubhouse in their golf attire. Coming from home in golf clothes is considered taboo; changing in the locker room is the proper etiquette. In clubhouses where jackets are mandatory, full members and senior members may even be expected to wear a tie. On the course, a single-digit handicap player is seen swinging confidently in proper attire. After a round, some advanced players even enjoy changing their style to something different from how they arrived.

For both advanced golfers and those aspiring to become advanced, we asked fashion director Hiroshi Morioka, a golf enthusiast himself, about "refining your golf style with appropriate attire for getting to and from the course." What kind of clothing is appropriate not only for prestigious golf courses but also for public courses? And how should you change your attire depending on whether you're playing with friends, your boss, or a business associate? Let's hear his explanation with some coordination examples.

The round of golf begins even before you start heading to the course, from the clothes you choose to wear.

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First, let's consider what kind of attire is appropriate when heading to a golf course. On weekend mornings, it's common to see men dressed in golf wear waiting for their rides along the roads, and it certainly seems efficient to simply change into golf shoes at the course. However, Mr. Morioka says, "You should consider the formality of the golf course when choosing your attire."

"Of course, if you're playing on a casual public course, a collared polo shirt is perfectly acceptable, and if you're playing with close friends, there's probably a standard style that's appropriate within your group, so you don't need to worry too much. However, what you should keep in mind is that a golf course is not only a place for sports but also a social gathering place. A social gathering place is a place where people interact, deepening relationships and potentially leading to business opportunities. That's why a certain level of etiquette is required, and it's also why golf is considered a gentleman's sport. Your attire is a way of showing respect to others, so shouldn't it also be a way of showing respect to the people you're playing with, the golf course staff, and the formality and atmosphere of the course and clubhouse?"

When playing golf with your boss or clients, you need to dress appropriately to avoid damaging your company's reputation. If you're a full member of a prestigious golf course, you're expected to be of a certain level of class, and visitors must also show respect to the full members. "Because golf courses are a more relaxed setting, a different kind of casual dress code is needed compared to business attire," says Morioka, who provided some specific outfit ideas.

A navy blazer is a versatile piece that can be worn for both golf and work.

The navy blazer, easily identifiable by its silver metal buttons, or "navy blazer" for short, is a jacket suitable not only for work but also for gentlemen's social gatherings. For example, when going to or from the golf course, you can pair it with a checked shirt and casual pants such as chinos or the currently popular drawstring trousers.


This preppy style is synonymous with casual jacket wear and suits everyone. Adding a scarf in a similar color to your shirt at the collar, or even using a patterned pocket square, can add a touch of fun with different accessories. This kind of outfit is perfect for enjoying stylish weekend golf.

"Enjoying a different fashion style than your everyday one is one of the joys of playing golf. I especially want people who wear jackets for work but don't wear them for casual weekends to enjoy this kind of stylish casual look. A checked shirt easily creates a casual feel and goes perfectly with a blazer. Adding a scarf to cover your neck also has the added benefit of making you look younger. It's not as formal as an ascot tie, so it's also convenient for adding a touch of sophistication."


I bought a navy blazer, but it feels a bit dull and not very cost-effective if I only use it for golf about once a month. So, as you can see, I want to wear it as work attire on weekdays by dressing up with a tie. At first glance, it looks like a suit, but here I've chosen navy trousers as well. If you pay attention to the colors and coordinate them like this, you can wear a blazer in a way that gives it the feel of a suit. If you find choosing clothes difficult, feel free to consult with a stylist at Isetan Men's.

"Combining a navy blazer with navy trousers creates a suit-like look from a distance. Blazer suits are a popular style among athletes and others. This particular blazer is characterized by its comfortable fit, making it suitable for adult men. Since silhouettes and sizing vary from brand to brand, it's crucial for adults to choose a brand that offers a sense of security that transcends age."


A double-breasted jacket allows for a more fashionable style. For example, a combination of a turtleneck sweater and patterned trousers would look stylish even in a clubhouse. Since you're not wearing a tie, subtly using a pocket square would be a good idea. When choosing a double-breasted jacket to wear like a blazer, don't forget to select one that is unstructured for a soft and lightweight feel.


"A cashmere-blend jacket is sophisticated and refined on its own, but to add a touch of style to the outfit, I've put together a monochrome look using gray. The pants have a noticeable check pattern, but since they're based on the same gray tone as the jacket, there's no need to worry about them looking out of place. The turtleneck also gives a feminine impression, making the mature man look very gentle. If you have the budget, you could also buy a cardigan in the same color and knit fabric to wear as a knit ensemble."



Of course, double-breasted jackets can also be worn for everyday use. Even those who are a little hesitant about double-breasted suits can create a stylish, urban businessman look by pairing it with gray trousers like this and keeping the color palette simple. By limiting the number of colors to white, black, and gray—for example, a gray striped shirt and a glen check tie—the dignified look of a double-breasted jacket is transformed into a stoic and modern feel.


"When you hear 'monochrome,' you tend to think of black as the base color, but while that might be fine for formal occasions like weddings and funerals, it's a bit too heavy for everyday wear. So, if you use gray and white as the main colors and tighten them up with black, you won't have to worry about the office dress code. The key here is to use black for accessories like shoes and belts to tighten the look. Plus, since gray, white, and black are achromatic colors, you can have fun adding one pop of your favorite color. You could use color only in your tie, or just a patterned pocket square, or even carry a colorful bag."

You can enjoy golf even more if you move beyond traditional golf attire.

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Many fashion brands are now releasing functional and versatile apparel. These include clothing suitable not only for heading to the golf course but also for playing the game. Mr. Morioka himself sometimes chooses golf-appropriate clothing from fashion brands when he plays golf.


"Pants made with a stretch blend won't get in the way of your swing, and even polo shirts and knitwear from fashion brands can be perfectly functional. The same goes for golf bags. Some people bring travel bags from famous fashion houses into the locker room instead of sports bags. More and more of my friends are doing that."

By the way, when I asked Morioka about his golf skills, he scratched his head and said, "I'm currently on fire (laughs)." At the beginning, I wrote that "the better a golfer is, the more they enjoy their golf wear," but regardless of skill level, there's no skill level to enjoy golf. As one way to enjoy golf, why not try choosing your clothes the same way you choose your equipment?

Photo: Natsuko Okada