How to Play Better Golf in the Fall: Dress for Success

Remember when sweaters were called “quarter zips”. That Q zip The revolution has come and with it the comfort in golf clothing. Autumn days present such a dilemma when it comes to deciding what to wear. Most of the country has to play at midday as the mornings are cold and the evenings are dark. On an average fall day in the northern states, we change our outfit at least once every nine holes. Whether we’re shedding or adding layers, it’s important to have a plan to feel comfortable.

Heavy sweaters and jackets have gone and technology has taken over. Golf has embraced the fitness feel of clothing and we’re better at it.

Look good, feel good, play good. (Photo by David Puente/PGA of America)

Many courses have changed their minds when it comes to how we can dress in 2022 and beyond. It’s an exciting age in the fashion industry of golf. Newer tech fibers hold their shape better. They hold up better through the washing process and honestly make us feel good.

A new feature in clothing that we can all get used to is weight. Layered items, shoes and even hats are lighter. Over the course of 18 holes, we can all save a little energy by not having to lug around heavy cotton.

A lot of this may seem new and just like changing leaves overwhelm you with color options. Fear not, it’s the job of a PGA coach to help their students play better with a little coaching.

• Look for solid layers – I know these Q-Zips look cool in a variety of colors and patterns, but when putting together a fall wardrobe, start with basic colors in your layers. Chances are they’ll reveal their favorite shirt anyway.

• Adjust your sizes – It used to be thought that if you wear a medium-sized shirt, you should buy a large piece of outerwear. Don’t do this, make sure you wear medium at all times. Vendors have adjusted their cuts a bit to make the layers match. If we wear clothes that don’t fit properly, we’re not performing properly.

• Hats are the key – Owning a fall hat or beanie makes a world of difference. More than 60% of your body heat is lost through your head. Keep it covered with something warm. We all hate playing in layers, keep your head covered and you’ll be able to shed a body layer and swing better.

• Shop Shoes – Most golf shops have to move a small amount of inventory at the end of the year. If you see a shoe in your size, seize the moment and grab it. Chances are you’ll get it on sale.

• Jackets are useful – We used to look like a security guard in golf jackets. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Most golf apparel can be worn on your children’s sidelines as well as on the course. Check out the soft and warm options. They’re not nearly as heavy, and again, choosing solid colors makes the most sense.

• Hands off the hoodies – They look cool, but fall can be breezy and the billowing hood is a distraction. Save the on-trend outerwear for after golf and go for a technical fabric jumper instead.

There’s nothing quite like a change of hands at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ. (Photo by Gary Kellner)

The best way to enjoy your golf game this fall season is to embrace the changes in our game. You may have added music to your foursome this year. Take the same innovative and fun thinking and apply it to the wardrobe. You’ll be pleasantly amazed at your options, and even better, at how new clothes feel as you play.