Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing wrong with caring about how you look as a guy. Admittedly, I’m a little resistant to a lot of modernity, but the one area where I’m glad we’ve made some serious improvements is the way we view masculinity. Somewhere along the way, it became okay to not care about your appearance. Gentlemen, let me tell you, it’s not okay to care just about looking good, but it’s honestly one of the most important things you can do. I’ve become MyGolfSpy’s “style expert” largely because of my Instagram, and here are my recommendations to help you look flawless while doing it this season.
You’re not sponsored by Titleist – you probably don’t even play Titleist clubs. So take off the made-up, old title hat and put one on spline. I’m a big fan of high-crown visors because I think they flatter every head and face shape much better than low-crown tennis-style visors. They also give you that cool old school look, and Golf’s calm flag it’s pretty perfect. This looks like something from the heyday of Yale (which is a very good thing). If you style it right, you’ll easily look like the coolest guy on the course. You have good hair, show it off.
Please: please do not wear Oakley Flak Sunglasses. Unless you’re a marathon runner or cyclist, they don’t look good anywhere. A pair of classic curated sunglasses look best in almost any setting, especially on the golf course. My shades are those American Optical Times for no other reason than they are gorgeous … They remind me of Cary Grant’s iconic glasses in the North By Northwest. I realize they may not be everyone’s cup of tea and they won’t suit everyone’s face, but these are definitely the sunglasses for me. You know what they say, you don’t choose sunglasses, sunglasses choose you (nobody says that, but it was worth a try). Buying sunglasses is a personal choice, so buy for yourself.
My two favorite players on the PGA Tour are the best dressed on the tour: Adam Scott and Keith Mitchell. Although I waffle back and forth, I think Keith might have Adam beat by a razor thin margin, and it depends on their sweater preferences. While Adam is a tough guy, Keith definitely is deep v-neck boy. What I want for v-neck and the overall style of Kashmir Keith is that it allows you to show a little extra skin. Contrary to popular belief, when done tastefully, showing some skin is a good thing. It makes all the difference in shaping your look and gives you a little extra flair. You don’t see v-necks on the course anymore, so if you want to stand out, it’s a great option as a layering piece. My favorite is Supima Cotton V-Neck Sweater by Brooks Brothers. It fits great, looks great, and for bonus points, it’s machine washable.
Synthetic materials have entered every part of clothing. I’m an old soul and try to wear organic fabrics as often as possible. Trust me, I understand the appeal of performance golf tees. They absorb moisture and keep you cool. However, I have news for you: they are overrated. The idea that cotton golf poles are too heavy or hot is a bit of a myth. Believe it or not, cotton shirts are more versatile than you think. They may take some getting used to, but they will surely surprise you. Compared to the now-ubiquitous performance golf shirts, cotton polos look better, feel better, and give you some much-needed structure to your upper body. If you can’t quite make the jump to 100% cotton, B. Draddy Gibson is an exceptional option made from 92% cotton and 8% lycra to give you some added movement, comfort and moisture wicking capabilities.
As for belts designed specifically for golf, in the wise words of Nancy Reagan, “just say no.” The belt you wear to golf shouldn’t be something you wouldn’t wear with a blazer and chinos. That means no white belts and certainly not anything that looks like a seat belt. Choose something subtle, but also tasteful, and that means going back to the classics. Personally I think that a striped surcingle belt it’s the perfect golf belt—it’s casual enough for pure sport and dressy enough with a blazer and loafers.
It’s okay to wear pants that aren’t red, white, or black. We really miss gray pants on the golf course and we need them. Gray is one of the most versatile colors out there, so let’s act like it. If you want to look even better, choose textured gray pants (think wool) or a subtle pattern like houndstooth. More than that, choose pants that fit. Go to a few stores, try on a few pairs and see what looks best on you. If you’re feeling lost, take someone with you and let them give you real-time feedback on what looks best on your body. Shoot, you can even send me an email and say “Isaiah, can you help me pick out golf pants,” and I’ll be happy to help. If you’re the type of guy who knows his size and what kind of fit he likes, he Uniqlo Airsense Pants are a great textured pant.
By now, you know a lot I love the Heathlander golf shoes. I don’t need to say much here. Not only are these my favorite golf shoes, but they are also incredibly distinctive and beautiful. You won’t see many people with these. I guarantee they will be your go-to golf shoe because they not only perform the part, they look every part and then some.
Thanks to golf on YouTube, colored golf gloves are taking off. The white glove has ruled the roost for far too long (my god that sounds controversial), and it’s time for a change because they’re just plain boring. The white glove will always have its place – it’s a classic for a reason – but everyone has one. A colored golf glove makes the game much more fun and also helps you look better. Sometimes, all you need is a splash of color to bring your entire outfit together, and a colored golf glove is a perfect way to do that. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mint Gloves by Bruce Bolt it’s seriously elite.
A statement golf bag is essential. If you think about it, your bag is holding your golf life. It contains stories, memories, and the very tools you use in your quest to find something deeper in the game of golf. That’s why it’s so important to choose a bag that has durability – a beautiful bag, a bag that has character. In the game of life, you are the main character and it is important and acceptable to treat yourself as such because your story is worth telling. If you want a seriously cool golf bag, there’s a new kid on the block, Shoal Golf Co.and they have taken heritage golf to the next level with theirs Founders bag. This bag looks great and you’ll look just as great wearing it. Don’t forget to finish your canvas and combine it with some high end head coveringsalso.
Protect your wrists and don’t wear a watch on the course. I know that Tommy Fleetwood wears an Apple Watch and that Rory wears one WHOOP when they play, but they both look terrible and give me anxiety. Also, golf is a game where time is meant to stand still. We all know we’re going to be out for a while, so disconnect and leave your watch in your bag or locker. That being said, I get no greater pleasure than pulling my watch out of my trinket bags and putting it on right after finishing a round. If you’ve never done it, try it – it feels good. If you want to experience that feeling, Metropolitan Timex Waterbury Chronograph it’s an excellent choice.
Looking good on the golf course doesn’t just mean spending a ton of money on what you wear. I’ve seen many golfers dressed in expensive clothing and premium gear who still look like they’re cosplaying. If you really want to look fabulous, start by choosing pieces that actually have character and wear them with confidence. Golf is a game where you make your way. Respect the game and look like a man on a mission – not a bathhouse whose sole purpose is to throw beers and smash every car a mile into the woods.
