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I don’t agree with jeans and football shirts on the golf course. | Credit: Kevin Murray<\/p>\n
Golf finds itself in an interesting epoch. Participation surged as a result of the Covid<\/a> pandemic and numbers still look strong almost six years on. Play-and-play golf is on the rise, plenty of golf clubs have lengthy waiting lists and off-course participation \u2013 including golf simulators<\/a> and Trackman<\/a>-powered driving ranges \u2013 is booming.<\/p>\n Clearly, this is a good thing for the sport at a macro level, but the game still faces certain challenges. There are concerns in some quarters that golf is becoming too expensive<\/a> and others feel it isn\u2019t doing enough to appeal to the younger generation.<\/p>\n There has been plenty of discourse about golf\u2019s place in modern society and how much adaptation is required, if any at all. Some people and clubs believe history and tradition must be preserved at all costs, while others have taken steps to modernise and bring the sport into the 21st century.<\/p>\n My colleague Eliott Heath recent wrote a piece about the six golfing customs he\u2019d like to see scrapped in 2026<\/a>, and while I agree with his points \u2013 and more broadly that evolution, to some degree, is required \u2013 I don\u2019t think we should cast all traditions aside to get more people through the door.<\/p>\n Below, I\u2019ve listed some elements of the sport I feel should never be compromised. This is purely my view and other members of the Golf Monthly team \u2013 as well as plenty of readers \u2013 will no doubt disagree, which is fine. Without further ado\u2026<\/p>\n I don’t need to see tweed and plus fours, but golf absolutely should have a dress code | Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n Dress Codes<\/p>\n I agree with GM\u2019s Secret Club Golfer in that we have to keep dress codes and maintain standards<\/a>. I\u2019m not saying dress codes shouldn\u2019t evolve and the definition of what\u2019s deemed acceptable golfing attire shouldn\u2019t shift. I have no problem with loud, patterned clothing or hoodies, for example, but we need some sort of framework.<\/p>\n GM\u2019s editor Neil Tappin is in favour of abandoning dress codes<\/a>, and he\u2019s perfectly entitled to his opinion, but this quote from the SCG sums up my feelings on the matter pretty perfectly: \u201cI\u2019m not sure we should be compromising standards to chase people who show no interest in respecting the game\u2019s customs.\u201d<\/p>\n Etiquette<\/p>\n On a related note, we mustn\u2019t allow accepted standards of etiquette<\/a> to slip. One of the greatest elements of the game is the respect golfers show to each other and the foundational customs of the sport. In this day and age, people can often be distracted and focus on themselves ahead of others \u2013 habits that are incongruous with golf.<\/p>\n While I\u2019m not opposed to occasional phone use on the golf course \u2013 checking a football score, replying quickly to a message or tracking shots on the app \u2013 we should never get to a position where people aren\u2019t watching their playing partners\u2019 shots because they\u2019re distracted by their mobiles.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the same when it comes to looking for golf balls. Camaraderie is a hugely important element of amateur golf and I\u2019d hate to see it eroded because people are far too focussed on what they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n In addition, the last thing golf needs is more issues with slow play<\/a> because people are busy recording themselves for social media posts.<\/p>\n Phone use should be limited on the golf course | Credit: Kevin Murray<\/p>\n Playing with strangers<\/p>\n In the modern world, people can be reluctant to engage with strangers and sometimes struggle when they\u2019re taken outside of their bubble or their own social circle.<\/p>\n But getting to know your playing partners and showing a genuine interest in them is something that truly sets golf apart. We must hold this sacrosanct.<\/p>\n Handicapping rounds<\/p>\n I think we\u2019ve gone a little bit too far in an effort to make handicapping more inclusive. As a nomadic golfer<\/a>, I\u2019m absolutely on board with iGolf and the various schemes around the world that allow non-members to maintain official handicaps.<\/p>\n However, I don\u2019t think you should be able to put in a card if you\u2019ve only played nine or 12 holes. We\u2019ve all had plenty of rounds where we\u2019ve gone to pieces down the stretch because we have a good score going. Removing that pressure and still being able to hand in a card doesn\u2019t sit right with me.<\/p>\n I think handicap scores should only be submitted after 18-hole rounds | Credit: Kevin Murray<\/p>\n 18 holes<\/p>\n![\"plus](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9fa51155027f642fbbcabdcbc7fa6889.jpeg\"\/)
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