What to Wear: Professional Golf Tournament

From bright colors to trendy bow shorts, we've got you covered on what to wear to a professional golf tournament this summer.

The Master’s in early April officially kicked off golf season, and next stop: THE PLAYERS Championship in May. (No, I didn’t put that in all caps for emphasis; that’s the official name of the tournament.) You probably haven’t heard about this tournament unless you’re a golf fan or you live in North Florida / South Georgia. Around here, THE PLAYERS is up there with the 4th of July and the Florida-Georgia football game. So let’s get you dressed to impress this golf season.

First, what not to wear

If you haven’t been to a professional golf tournament before there’s a couple of things you should know about spectator expectations. It’s a classy event so make sure you dress and act the part. That means there are some major no-no’s when it comes to proper golf tournament attire.

Here’s a quick list of things in your closet that should not be worn:

- Tube tops or crop tops

- Daisy Dukes (tiny denim shorts)

- Graphic tees

- Jeans

- High heels

- Short, tight dresses

- Anything you wouldn’t want your grandparents or someone else’s grandparents to see you in

Don’t worry, you still have plenty of options that don’t involve a tennis skirt and a collared shirt.

Bright and summery colors

Don’t be surprised if you see that Lilly Pulitzer is out in full force at the tournament. This is your chance to wear bright colors and patterns without anyone raising their eyebrows at you. White is always an easy option because it’s cool and looks great, but be careful if you plan on sitting in the grass. Try a white top with printed shorts instead to avoid getting a grass stain on the back of your white romper.

Also, keep in mind traditions at the tournament. The last day of THE PLAYERS has been played on Mother’s Day for many years so it has become tradition that everyone who attends on Sunday wear pink. So if you’re planning on watching the best day in golf, make sure you’re pretty in pink.

Lightweight materials that won’t make you sweat even more

Summers in the south are hot. Your first instinct might be to wear as little clothing as possible, but this is a classy event so opt for light, breathable materials instead of less material. Look for clothing made from fabrics like cotton, linen and rayon. It’s also important to pick items that flow away from the body instead of clinging tight. Everyone knows that everyone is sweating, but your boob and pit sweat doesn’t need to announce itself to the world.

Something you can gracefully sit on the ground in

Chances are you’ll be plopping down in the grass on a few holes with cocktail in hand, so try to pick an outfit that allows you to do that and still look like a lady. We don’t need pictures of your crotch on the tournament’s location Snapchat story. Your best bet are cute shorts or a romper that actually covers your butt. Dresses aren’t off limits, just make sure they follow that fingertip rule you had to follow in high school. Anything shorter and you run the risk of a gust of wind or a small slip causing you to show your goods to the grandpa behind you. If you know you’ll be drinking heavily I recommend sticking to the shorts option.

Comfortable shoes with straps

Unless you have VIP tent tickets, you’ll be standing or walking around 90% of the time you’re at the tournament. So make sure that you’ve got shoes that are comfortable enough for you to wear while on your feet all day. Keep in might that you’ll also be walking through some grass and there might be some slopes, so I recommend you wear something with a strap around the heel to make sure you don’t walk right out of your shoes. Wedges are ok, especially if you have tickets that allow you to be seated, but no high heels that can get stuck in the grass. Also, just don’t be that person that where’s huge heels to an outdoor sporting event.

A wristlet or small crossbody purse

You’ll definitely want a little something to carry your sunscreen, chapstick and wallet, but don’t forget the PGA’s bag policy. It’s similar to other professional leagues’ bag policies like the NFL. You can’t bring in a bag that’s larger than 6x6 so make sure you take a wristlet or small crossbody with you. The last thing you want is to walk up to the ticket gate and have to walk all the way back to the car to put your purse back.

Pro tip: Throw a travel sized bottle of sunscreen in your bag and remember to reapply. One application of 15 SPF is not going to last you through 6 hours on the golf course.

Cute sunnies & a wide-brimmed hat

Have I mentioned it’ll be hot and sunny? If you’ve always wanted one of those cute wide-brimmed hats but never knew how or when to wear it, here’s your chance. It’s cute, it’ll keep the sun from carving wrinkles in your face, and it’s a great accessory for the perfect insta pic. And don’t forget a pair of sunnies! I don’t know about you, but I’m terrible at taking care of sunglasses. If you’re like me and unable to take them on an outing without a getting new scratch, then I recommend getting a pair for $20 or less. This way you won’t be crying on the course when you snap your $200 pair.

Don’t forget your monogram or string of pearls, and now you’re all set to find your future husband on the tee box.

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