What She’s Wearing on the Fairway

That paradox captures everything happening in golf fashion right now, particularly in the Hamptons where style signals matter as much as your swing. The question of what to wear golfing—whether you’re searching for golf clothes for men or puzzling over what to wear golfing as a woman—has evolved dramatically. Logo-covered polos and pleated khakis now mark you as someone who hasn’t updated their thinking since the nineties.

Welcome to the new rules of Hamptons golf fashion, where the best-dressed players look like they could transition from fairway to Topping Rose House without changing a single piece.

The Death of Golf Clichés

Let’s be direct about what’s no longer working. Massive brand logos across your chest announce that you’re trying to affiliate yourself with performance. Loud patterns suggest you’re seeking attention rather than birdies. The tucked-in polo with belt-and-pleated-khaki combination reads as costume rather than clothing.

According to Business of Fashion’s research on luxury sportswear, affluent consumers increasingly reject obvious athletic branding in favor of stealth performance pieces. This shift explains why Hamptons fairways now feature more Italian technical fabrics than American golf brands.

The underlying psychology is straightforward. People who’ve achieved meaningful success rarely need to broadcast their tribal affiliations. Similarly, people with genuine style don’t need their golf shirts to announce that they play golf. Your presence on the course communicates that information already.

Consequently, the most stylish players in the Hamptons have embraced what might be called “elevated discretion.” Their clothes perform perfectly for the game while reading as simply well-designed pieces that happen to work on a golf course.

For Her: Building a Hamptons Golf Wardrobe

Women’s golf fashion has undergone the most dramatic transformation. The days of tennis-adjacent skorts and matchy-matchy sets are over. Today’s discerning female golfer builds a wardrobe that moves between contexts seamlessly.

The Foundation Pieces

G/FORE has established itself as the insider choice for women who want color and personality without sacrificing sophistication. Their womens golf shoes—yes, the question of footwear deserves serious attention—transformed an entire category. Before G/FORE, golf footwear for women meant choosing between frumpy comfort and impractical fashion. Their designs proved you could have both. The brand’s polos and skirts follow the same philosophy: distinctive enough to notice, refined enough to respect.

Tory Sport offers another compelling approach. Tory Burch’s athletic line brings her signature aesthetic to performance fabrics. The resulting pieces feel less like golf clothes and more like thoughtfully designed sportswear that happens to work perfectly on the course. Her golf dresses particularly excel, offering silhouettes that flatter while providing complete freedom of movement.

Kjus represents the technical sophistication end of the spectrum. This Swiss brand, originally focused on ski apparel, applies Alpine engineering to golf. Their women’s pieces feature premium stretch fabrics, invisible ventilation systems, and cuts that actually account for how women’s bodies move during a golf swing. Price points are serious—expect $200+ for a polo—but the construction justifies the investment.

The Complete Women’s Look

Start with a clean polo or sleeveless top in a solid, sophisticated color. Navy, white, and soft neutrals establish elegance. If you want color, choose one statement piece—perhaps a coral skort or sage green pullover—and let everything else recede.

Bottoms should fit impeccably. Too tight restricts your swing. Too loose reads as sloppy. The new generation of golf shorts and skorts uses four-way stretch fabrics that move with your body while maintaining a polished appearance. Aim for a length that allows full range of motion without feeling exposed on windy days.

Layer thoughtfully. A lightweight cashmere or merino sweater handles morning chill without adding bulk. A sophisticated vest works for slightly cooler temperatures. Avoid anything that restricts your backswing.

For Him: The Understated Elegance Playbook

Men’s golf fashion requires navigating between two failure modes: the try-hard country club look and the slovenly weekend-golfer aesthetic. The goal is clothing that signals competence without effort.

The Essential Brands

Peter Millar has earned its position as the gold standard for Hamptons golf shirts and polos. Their Crown Sport line delivers technical performance in fabrics that feel luxurious rather than athletic. The fits run slightly slimmer than traditional golf brands—which is precisely the point. A Peter Millar polo suggests you have taste, not just a golf habit. Expect to invest $100-150 per shirt. You’ll understand why the first time you wear one.

Bogner brings German engineering and European sensibility to the course. Their golf pants particularly excel, offering construction quality that rivals dress trousers while incorporating stretch and moisture management invisible to the eye. Bogner pieces tend toward understated colors and clean lines—the opposite of American golf brand aesthetics.

Ralph Lauren’s RLX line represents the safe choice for traditional sensibilities updated with modern performance fabrics. The aesthetic is familiar enough to avoid commentary while the construction handles actual golf conditions. It’s the choice for men who want to look good without appearing to have thought too hard about it.

Building Your Look

The polo remains foundational, but choose carefully. Solid colors in sophisticated shades—dusty blues, heathered grays, muted greens—communicate confidence. Avoid bright colors that demand attention and patterns that distract from your game.

Golf pants have improved dramatically. The best current options offer technical stretch without the shiny synthetic appearance of previous generations. Flat fronts are non-negotiable. Pleats belong to a different era. Colors should coordinate without matching—navy pants with a light blue polo, gray trousers with a white shirt.

Belts matter more than you think. A quality leather belt in a classic color (brown, navy, cognac) grounds the entire outfit. Avoid belts with large buckles or obvious branding. The goal is completion, not commentary.

The Shoe Question: Why Footwear Matters Most

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: your golf shoes communicate more about you than any other single piece. People who understand style notice shoes first. On the course, this tendency intensifies.

The best golf shoes today barely look like golf shoes. Traditional white leather with metal spikes has been replaced by sophisticated designs in premium leathers and technical materials. Spikeless options have improved to the point where many serious golfers choose them for all but the wettest conditions.

For Women

G/FORE dominates this category for good reason. Their womens golf shoes combine Italian leather construction with designs that work as well at brunch as they do on the back nine. The Gallivanter silhouette, in particular, has become the insider choice. Cole Haan’s golf options offer similar versatility at lower price points.

For Men

FootJoy Premiere Series represents the classic choice updated for contemporary sensibilities. The leather quality and construction rival dress shoes. ECCO brings Scandinavian design and exceptional comfort. For those willing to invest, Bogner and G/FORE offer mens golf shoes that genuinely improve your presence on the course.

One absolute rule: keep them clean. Dirty golf shoes undermine everything else you’re wearing. Bring a brush. Wipe them down between rounds. Store them properly.

Where to Shop in the Hamptons

Several Hamptons retailers have built curated selections that understand the intersection of style and performance.

The pro shops at courses like Noyack stock pieces from the brands mentioned throughout this piece. Supporting the pro shop where you play creates relationships that matter for tee time access and local knowledge.

Southampton boutiques along Main Street and Jobs Lane increasingly carry golf-appropriate pieces even when golf isn’t their primary focus. The lines between athletic and lifestyle apparel have blurred productively.

East Hampton offers additional options, particularly for women seeking distinctive pieces. The style tends slightly more casual than Southampton, which can work depending on which clubs you frequent.

Final Thoughts: Dress for the Game You Want to Have

Golf fashion ultimately reflects the same principles that govern style in every context. Fit matters more than brand. Quality outlasts trends. Confidence comes from knowing you’ve made appropriate choices.

When considering what to wear golfing—whether you’re building your first golf wardrobe or upgrading from outdated pieces—think about who you’ll be playing with and where. The Hamptons expects a certain level of consideration. Meeting that expectation, without overreaching into costume territory, marks you as someone who belongs.

Your clothes won’t improve your swing. However, they’ll affect how you feel standing over the ball and how others perceive you before and after the round. In a game where confidence matters and relationships often form on fairways, that’s worth taking seriously.

Book your next round at Noyack Golf Club dressed appropriately, and notice how differently the day unfolds.