Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing wrong with caring about how you look as a guy. Admittedly, I’m a bit resistant to a lot of modernity, but the one area that I’m happy we’ve made some serious improvements in is how we view masculinity. Somewhere along the way, it became cool to not care about your appearance. Gentlemen, let me tell you, it’s not only okay to care about looking good, 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 these are my recommendations to help you look immaculate when you tee it up for this season.
1. A Great Visor
You’re not sponsored by Titleist— odds are you’re not even playing Titleist clubs. So, ditch the contrived, old Titleist cap and wear a visor. I’m a huge fan of high-crown visors because I think they flatter every head and face shape much better than lower crown tennis-style visors. They also give you that old school cool look, and Quiet Golf’s Flag Visor is pretty much perfect. This looks like something straight out of Yale’s heyday (that’s a very good thing). If you style this right, you’ll easily look like the coolest guy on the course. You’ve got a good head of hair, show it off.
2. Stylish Sunglasses
I beg you: please stop wearing Oakley Flak sunglasses. Unless you’re a marathon runner or cyclst, they don’t look good anywhere. A curated pair of classic sunglasses look better in almost every setting, especially on the golf course. My go-to shades are the American Optical Times for no reason other than they’re awesome … They remind me of Cary Grant’s iconic sunglasses in North By Northwest. I understand they may not be everyone’s cup of tea and they won’t fit everyone’s face, but these are definitely the sunglasses for me. You know what they say, you don’t choose you sunglasses, your sunglasses choose you (nobody says that but it was worth a try). Shopping for sunglasses is a personal choice, so shop for yourself.
3. V-Neck Sweater
My two favorite players on the PGA Tour just so happen to be the best dressed on tour: Adam Scott and Keith Mitchell. Though I waffle back and forth, I think Keith may have Adam beat by a razor thin margin, and it really comes down to their sweater preferences. While Adam is a staunch crewneck guy, Keith is most definitely a deep v-neck guy. What I love about the v-neck and Cashmere Keith’s overall style is that it lets you show a slight bit of extra skin. Contrary to popular belief, when done tastefully, showing some skin is a good move. It makes all the difference in shaping your look and gives you a little more uniqueness. You don’t see many 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 the Supima Cotton V-Neck Sweater from Brooks Brothers. It fits great, looks great, and for bonus points, you can machine wash it.
4. A Cotton Polo Shirt
Synthetic materials have creeped their way into every piece of clothing. I’m a bit of an old soul and try to wear organic fabrics as frequently as possible. Trust me, I understand the appeal of performance golf shirts. They’re moisture wicking and keep you cool. However, I also have news for you: they’re overrated. The idea that cotton golf polos 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 certainly surprise you. Compared to the now ubiquitous performance golf shirts, cotton polos look better, feel better, and give you some much needed texture to your upper body. If you can’t quite make the jump to 100% cotton, the B. Draddy Gibson is an outstanding option made from 92% cotton option and 8% lycra to give you some added movement, comfort, and moisture wicking capabilities.
5. A Good Looking Classic Belt
As it pertains to belts made 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 seatbelt. Choose something subtle but also tasteful, and that means going back to the classics. Personally, I think a striped surcingle belt is the perfect belt for golf— it’s casual enough for pure sport and dressy enough to wear with a blazer and a pair of loafers.
6. Textured Golf Pants (Or Something Other Than Tan Or White)
It’s okay to wear pants that aren’t tan, white, or black. We are sorely missing grey trousers on the golf course, and we need them. Grey is one of the most versatile colors out there, so let’s act like it. If you want to look even better, choose grey pants with texture (think wool) or a subtle pattern like houndstooth. More than that, choose pants that fit. Go to several stores, try multiple pairs on, and see what looks best on you. If you feel lost, take someone with you and have them give you real-time feedback on what looks best on your body. Shoot, you can even send me an email and say “Isaiah, would you please 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, the Uniqlo Airsense Pants are a great fitting textured trouser.
7. Heathlander Golf Shoes
By now, you know much I love Heathlander Golf Shoes. I don’t need to say too much here. Not only are these my favorite golf shoes, but they are also incredibly distinct and good looking. You won’t see many people with these. I guarantee they’ll be your favorite golf shoe because they not only perform the part, they look every bit of it and then some.
8. A Colored Golf Glove
Thanks to YouTube golf, the colored golf glove is coming to real prominence. The white glove has ruled the roost for way too long (my goodness this is sounding controversial), and it’s time for change because they’re just 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 way more fun and it 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, the mint glove from Bruce Bolt is seriously elite.
9. A Statement Golf Bag and Headcovers
A statement golf bag is essential. If you think about it, your bag is carrying your golfing life. It’s carrying stories, memories, and the very instruments you use in your pursuit of finding something deeper in the game of golf. That’s why it’s so important that you choose a bag that has permanence— a bag that is beautiful, a bag that has character. In the game of life, you are the main character, and it’s both important and acceptable to treat yourself as such, because your story is worth telling. If you want a seriously beautiful golf bag, there’s a new kid on the block, Shoal Golf Co., and they’ve taken heritage golf to the next level with their Founders Bag. This bag looks awesome and you’ll look just as great carrying it. Don’t forget to finish your canvas and pair it with some top-notch headcovers, too.
10. Classic Timepiece
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 a 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 dissociate and leave the timepiece in the bag or in the locker. That being said, I get no greater pleasure than pulling my watch out of my valuables pouch and putting it on right after finishing a round. If you’ve never done it, give it a try— it feels great. If you want to experience that feeling, the Timex Waterbury Metropolitan Chronograph is a great choice.
Looking great on the golf course isn’t simply about spending a ton of money on what you wear. I’ve seen plenty of golfers wearing expensive apparel and carrying premium equipment who still look like they’re cosplaying. If you really want to look awesome, it starts with choosing pieces that actually have character and wearing them with confidence. Golf is a game where you make your own way. Respect the game and look like a man on a mission— not like a schlub whose only goal is to pound back beers and slice every drive a mile into the woods.
The post I’m MyGolfSpy’s Style Expert: Here’s How to Look Absolutely Awesome On The Course appeared first on MyGolfSpy.