What to wear at the golf and tennis club, dress codes decoded
Collars, whites, denim and hats: what golf, tennis and padel clubs usually expect, why the rules exist and how to dress comfortably for your first visit.
Dress codes worry new players more than they should. Most are simple, most clubs are happy to explain them, and the point is rarely snobbery: the rules grew out of tradition, care for the course and the wish for a shared standard. Once you know the usual pattern for each game, getting dressed for a first visit takes five minutes.
Golf, the usual code
Most golf clubs still expect a shirt with a collar, typically a polo shirt. A , a short stand-up collar without flaps, is now accepted at many clubs as well. Tailored trousers or tailored shorts are standard, sometimes with a rule on the length of shorts, and some clubs expect shirts to be tucked in.
Denim is the item most often banned on the course and frequently in the clubhouse, and tracksuit bottoms, beachwear and football shirts are usually out too. Codes for women have relaxed considerably and generally allow skirts, a or tailored shorts, with sleeveless tops accepted at many clubs, sometimes only with a collar.
The clubhouse can have rules of its own. At many clubs caps and hats come off indoors, golf shoes may not be welcome in the bar or dining room, and some traditional clubs ask you to change shoes in the locker room rather than the car park. On the course, golf shoes with or spikeless soles are the norm. Accessories rarely cause trouble: caps and visors are fine on the course, a belt finishes tailored trousers neatly, and plain socks are always safe.
Tennis, from traditional whites to anything goes
Tennis has the most famous dress code in sport. At the Championships at Wimbledon, players must wear almost entirely white, and white does not include off-white or cream. A single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre is allowed, and since 2023 women may wear dark coloured undershorts if they wish.
Ordinary clubs are far more relaxed. Some traditional clubs, often those with grass courts, still ask for predominantly white clothing, at least on certain courts or at club events. Most clubs and public courts accept any proper sportswear: a T-shirt or polo, shorts or a skirt, and tennis shoes with non-marking soles.
The one rule nearly every club enforces concerns shoes. Running shoes and street trainers can mark or damage some surfaces and give poor support, and clay and grass courts in particular need the right sole. If you are invited to play at a club with grass courts, ask about whites in advance, because that is where a coloured shirt is most likely to be noticed.
Padel, relaxed but practical
Padel grew up as a social game, and its dress code reflects that. Most clubs ask only for sportswear and proper padel or tennis shoes. A breathable T-shirt or polo, shorts or a skirt with a pocket for a ball, and a cap or visor for outdoor courts cover almost every situation.
Leave jeans, swimwear and bare torsos for the beach, even in a heatwave, and bring a second shirt on hot days. If you wear glasses, a sports strap keeps them in place when you twist to reach a ball coming off the glass. On warm evenings a wristband or headband earns its place too, because sweat running onto the grip makes the racket harder to control.
Layers, fabrics and the sun
Golf rounds start early and tennis can run into the evening, so layering beats one thick jumper. A thin under your shirt keeps you warm on a cool morning, a light quarter zip or sweater goes over it, and a windproof or waterproof shell finishes the job on links courses or in early spring. Take layers off as the day warms up.
Choose fabrics that move sweat away from the skin and dry quickly, such as technical synthetics or fine merino wool. Cotton feels pleasant at first but stays wet once you sweat, which turns cold quickly in the wind.
In the sun, clothing is part of your protection. A brimmed hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen on exposed skin are sensible on any summer round or match, and garments with a rating are tested for how much ultraviolet light they let through. Light, loose sleeves can be surprisingly comfortable in strong sun.
Ask before your first visit
Some rules have practical roots. Soft spikes protect greens, non-marking soles protect indoor courts, and the right sole keeps clay and grass playable. Others are simply tradition, which clubs are free to keep and which a visitor can respect for a few hours without fuss.
The simplest rule of all is to ask. A quick call or message to the club before your first round or match tells you what is expected, whether there are special rules for visitors, and whether the clubhouse has a stricter code in the evening or on competition days.
If in doubt, a plain collared shirt, tailored trousers or shorts and clean golf shoes will be acceptable almost anywhere for golf, and white or neutral sportswear for tennis. Nobody will mind that you asked; most clubs would much rather explain the code than turn a guest away at the door.
- A collared shirt or mock neck and tailored trousers or shorts for golf
- Clean, non-marking court shoes for tennis and padel
- A light layer for cool mornings and evenings
- A cap, sunglasses and sunscreen for outdoor play
- A spare shirt for hot days
Once you know the usual pattern for each game, getting dressed for a first visit takes five minutes.
Terms in this article
- Mock neck
- A short stand-up collar without flaps, accepted instead of a traditional collar at many golf clubs.
- Skort
- A skirt with shorts built in underneath, common in golf, tennis and padel.
- Base layer
- A thin garment worn next to the skin to keep you warm and move sweat away.
- UPF
- Ultraviolet Protection Factor, a rating that shows how much ultraviolet radiation a fabric lets through.
- Soft spikes
- Replaceable plastic cleats on golf shoes that give grip without damaging the greens.
Questions readers ask
Can I wear shorts on a golf course?
At most clubs, yes, as long as they are tailored shorts rather than sports, cargo or denim shorts. Some clubs specify a length, and a few have rules on socks or tucked-in shirts when shorts are worn. Check the club’s dress code before your first visit, because the details vary from club to club.
Do I have to wear white to play tennis?
Usually not. Most clubs and public courts accept any proper sportswear and non-marking tennis shoes. Some traditional clubs, often those with grass courts, still expect predominantly white clothing, at least on certain courts or at club events. The almost entirely white rule at Wimbledon applies to players at the Championships, not to ordinary club tennis.
What should I wear for my first padel game?
Comfortable sportswear: a breathable T-shirt or polo, shorts or a skirt, and padel or clay court tennis shoes with a herringbone sole for grip on the sandy artificial grass. Bring a cap or visor for outdoor courts, water and a spare shirt on hot days. Jeans and running shoes are best left at home.
