· By WLAM
Tennis and golf dress codes: what to wear to stay within the rules
Pickleball has almost no dress rules. Tennis and golf are different: many clubs have their own dress code, and the wrong outfit can get you stopped at the front desk. Here are the most common rules, from Wimbledon's strict standard to everyday golf courses.
Tennis: Wimbledon sets the strictest standard
Since the 1870s, Wimbledon has required players to wear white. The current official rules on wimbledon.com:
- Clothing must be almost entirely white. Off-white and cream do not count as white.
- Only a single trim of color is allowed, no wider than 1 cm.
- The rule covers caps, headbands, socks and shoes. Soles and laces must be entirely white.
- Undergarments that may be visible during play must also be white. Female players may wear solid mid- or dark-colored undershorts, no longer than their skirt or shorts.
The rule dates back to the Victorian era, when white was thought to hide sweat stains. Today it is tradition, and officials can ask a player to change.
At regular clubs the rules are much lighter: neat sportswear and tennis shoes suited to the surface. Some long-established clubs still keep an all-white tradition, so ask before your first visit.
Golf: a collared shirt is the common standard
There is no single golf dress code for every course, but international guides agree on the basics:
- Shirt: a collared shirt such as a polo is standard at almost every course. Crew-neck tees and tank tops are usually not accepted. Some traditional clubs also require shirts tucked in.
- Bottoms: golf trousers, chinos or tailored shorts to around the knee. Jeans are a gamble: some courses now allow them, but many private clubs still don't.
- Shoes: soft-spike golf shoes. Metal spikes are banned almost everywhere because they damage the greens.
- Layers and headwear: vests, quarter-zips and windbreakers are common. Caps and visors are generally fine; hoodies and denim jackets are not.
Public courses tend to be more relaxed than private clubs, and tournaments may regulate colors and logos too. The safest move is to check the course rules before you go.
Picks from the WLAM wardrobe
- For golf: a collared polo such as 02W218 or the hidden-placket 02W232, with tailored shorts.
- For tennis clubs that favor white: a plain white polo such as 02W233 in white or 02W221 in white.
- For pickleball: more relaxed, but at tournaments avoid colors that match the ball (see what to wear for pickleball).