Women in golf has increased in popularity throughout the years. As of 2021, 6.2 million women regularly participate in golf, up 19% from a decade ago. The history of women's golf is one rich and detailed.
Golf originated centuries ago in Edinburgh, Scotland. Back in the 1400s, golfers used to attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes around tracks while using a club or a bent stick. My, how times have changed from what we now know of golf. In 1502, King James IV of Scotland became the world’s first golfing monarch, giving the unofficial royal seal of approval. Bent sticks evolved into woods, putters, and irons, to name a few. Meanwhile, a golf ball evolved from a rock, and then a wooden ball. Even back then, women got involved with the sport of golf.
Women in golf have a long history together, dating all the way back to the 1500s. Mary, Queen of Scots, who ruled Scotland between 1542 to 1567 was noted as one of the first woman golfers. Many believed that women should not be playing golf because people did not feel as if women had the physical capabilities to be playing the sport. Men were conceived that women were only able to play for fun and without any competitiveness. At the end of the 17th century, Scottish judge Lord Moncrieff proposed that women should drive the golf ball no further than 70’’ or 80’’ yards, as the posture and gestures that are required for a full swing are not graceful, especially when the player happens to be wearing a dress.
In the 1900s, three women came to be the first female pioneers of professional golf- Helen Hicks, Babe Zaharias and Annika Sörenstam. In 1934, Helen Hicks signed a contract with Wilson to become the first professional female player. Hicks competed in many tournaments and made multiple U.S. Women’s Amateur Finals and made the first Curtis-Cup team for females. Babe Zaharias is considered a legend in all of women’s golf. Zaharias was the first woman to challenge a man in a professional tournament, something that no woman dared to do. Many saw it as a historic moment, while other males were still very against it. Both Hicks and Zaharias were founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA), the oldest continuing women’s professional sports organization in the U.S. Annika Sörenstam is one of the most famous female golfers of all time, having 72 wins on the LGPA tour. Sörenstam had a rocky relationship with golf growing up, but her talent evolved rapidly, leaving her with a successful career between 1992 to 2008.
Women’s golf clothes have dramatically changed since their humble beginnings and many of the pieces of clothing that we’d normally wear were not accepted on the golf course. In the 19th century, the duties of women consisted of housekeeping and golf was catered to well-paid men who were not on equal playing fields. A lot of women's golf fashion from this time was very similar to what they would wear in the home: full-length dresses, skirts, and petticoats, which made swinging and putting very challenging for women. In the early 20th century, women in tennis took a turn by its increasing popularity. London-made brand Burberry created women’s golf apparel that did not restrict them from moving around with pleated skirts, blouses, and cardigan sweaters. This highlights the evolution of women's fashion in the 20th century, and its marriage with features that enhance athletic performance.
Female participation in golf increased rapidly in the 20th century, and golf fashion took off, including the introduction of one-piece golf dresses. As mentioned before, the LGPA was founded in 1950, and the demand for women golfers gear increased. Apparel was required to be modest, yet feminine, with skirts above the ankle and short-sleeve blouses. In the 1960s, women’s golf was televised and made an incredible impact on women’s recognition in the sport. Players experimented with different golf outfits in streetwear style, bright colors, and the skort making its first public appearance. Comfort was at the peak of its popularity, and women felt the difference in their athletic performance. Unisex fashion in golf grew heavily in the 90s. Women started to stray away from their bright colors, and started to wear neutral tones like khaki shorts and oversized polos. Golf fashion today comes from bits and pieces of golf fashion from every era with an emphasis on breathable material. A lot of golf courses have included a more relaxed approach to golf wear, even though many still adhere to traditional dress codes. As long as you respect the guidelines of the course, there are a ton of women's golf clothing that’ll help you stand out among the crowd.
Starting off in golf can be very challenging, especially in deciding what golf apparel to wear. Wearing the wrong outfit can actually risk you from competing at many golf courses. Most golf dress codes are not as strict as LGPA Tour requirements, but are still designed to make sure amateur players adhere to their obligations in maintaining the traditions of the club and game alike. So what exactly are golf clothes for women?
Basic golf attire consists of a polo shirt, slacks or a skort, a hat, spiked golf shoes and any other additional layers to keep warm if need be. A quintessential unisex golf wear piece would have to be a polo shirt. The first polo shirt was created in India, and gained popularity many decades later through tennis. Today, the polo shirt is a must-have in any wardrobe. Most polo shirts are made of polyester, microfiber or just traditional cotton. Some golf courses allow more of a modern-style, especially with women. It is now found in a variety of styles, cuts and colors and is one of the most popular garments in the world. The polo has evolved based on mobility and comfortability, and that’s why our Tie Back Polo is the perfect option. Constructed with breathable mesh, a tie back and a collared neck, it is an eye-catching women's golf polo for a day out on the course, feeling fashionable and comfortable.
Skorts, the combination of a skirt and shorts were invented in the 1960s, but have been used in athletic training over the course of the past two decades. Originally, it was created as a pair of shorts with a pleated fabric on the top. More recently, it has turned into any skirt that’s attached with a pair of shorts underneath. They are usually made with a cotton or a polyester blend to enhance breathability. Skorts provide freedom in mobility when playing golf, while giving the appearance of solely a skirt. Our Rally Skort and Court Skort are so versatile, you throw it on with any polo top or sweater to leave you feeling elegant, yet sporty on the course.
There are more options than ever before for what a woman can wear on a golf course. The increasing range of women's golf attire means that there can be more cute golf outfits created to help you stand out. With a classic silhouette and many color ways, our Serena Dress was made for you to attract attention on and off the court. Weather is always unpredictable, but that should never stop you from wanting to go out and golf, and with Fall now upon us, we need something to protect us no matter the circumstance.
Dressing in layers can be common for golfers. On the course, you are allowed to wear a vest, sweatshirt, a button-down, or even a windbreaker. The Ace Jacket was made to cover you from anything so you can play on, even when Mother Nature disagrees. If you prefer a sleeveless option, then check out our Reversible Ski Vest. Layers such as this are perfect, as they’re lightweight and will protect you from rain and cold weather.
Golf has had a long history with etiquette and dress code that any level of players must adhere to. This tactic was created to keep the traditions in check, and each golf course has their own dress code and rules. Golf is like a brand, clubs will strive to keep their members and recruit new members by enhancing the experience. Each golf club is created differently- some were made for families and friends, used as a primary source of social and sporting connections, while some are used for networking members with the heavy passion for golf through matches and practices. Some clubs are completely okay with no dress code and a free range of clothing, while others can have completely different and strict rules and regulations.
Club culture is created to enhance the members' experience by setting the tone of the atmosphere. Management sets these boundaries and lets you know prior to you joining so you are aware of the code of conduct and the framework of the environment. This is why it is crucial to know the background of the club you want to join and what their dress policy may be. If you have nowhere to begin, a white women's golf polo shirt, like our Seamless Polo and slacks or a skort (ie: Rally Skort or Court Skort) are a good place to start. Style and golf go hand in hand. The main thing to consider is whether you feel like you look presentable. The idea of the dress code is not to restrict you or make you look good among the club, it is to enhance your performance skills. A regular golf game is around four to five hours, so the clothing must be practical and comfortable for any weather.
We aim to keep up to date in health and wellness, catering our un-fore-gettable pieces to tend to trends in these silos. Fabrics have become more advanced with technology and are made with higher quality materials, which is a jump from tweed. There are terrific articles of clothing that can be used to assemble outfits, worn to be both on and off the golf course!