By Robert Darwell, of Sheppard Mullin
Professional golfers across the globe are dropping their pants over a recent rule change from the European Tour. Thanks to a growing number of young golfers supporting comfort over tradition, the European Tour has finally altered its rules to give players the option of wearing shorts, as opposed to golf slacks, during practice rounds and pro-ams.
Though seemingly insignificant to outsiders, the rule change has shocked the golf world, which is deeply rooted in a tradition of aesthetics and professionalism. Golf tournaments typically hold strict dress codes, regulating players’ tops, bottoms, facial hair, headpieces, and hairstyles and prohibiting specific items that are deemed unprofessional, including jeans, cargo pants, and shorts.
This rule change came just a week after this year’s EurAsia Cup, where players were permitted to practice in shorts due to excessive heat and humidity in Kuala Lumpur. Following the tournament, many professional golfers, including top-ranked Jordan Spieth, spoke out in support of the change both in the EurAsia Cup and the European Tour, pushing for more golfing associations to adopt this policy not only in practice rounds, but in competition.
PGA Tour veteran Pat Perez notes, “[T]he sport has changed, whether people like it or not. It’s not your old, stiff country club anymore.” Indeed, the sport has made strides since the early 20th century when players were required to don tweed jackets, but players are hopeful for an even more modern look.
Pro Matt Every, winner of the PGA Tour in 2014 and 2015, added, “Maybe 20 years ago, you didn’t want to see guys in shorts out here . . . but I think as far as aesthetics, to the eye, I don’t think it’s that big a deal.”
Regardless of the recent changes and commentary by Tour members, the PGA Tour remains adamant on not permitting players to bare their calves on the green. Many in the public note the hypocrisy of this policy, as the Tour has allowed caddies to wear shorts since 1999, after two caddies collapsed on the course from heat-related illnesses in two consecutive tournament years. Further, the PGA’s sister organization, the LPGA, currently allows female pros to sport shorts on the Tour.
While the PGA Tour has not officially commented on the reasoning behind refusing to adopt this change, many speculate that the American league is hesitant to follow in Europe’s footsteps. Professional golfer and member of both tours, Padraig Harrington, confessed, “I don’t think the PGA Tour would ever want to be seen as following the European Tour.”
Notwithstanding public opinion, the practicality of adopting such a rule change within the PGA is not prohibitive. PGA tournament rules are reviewed annually after the tournaments take place. The organization’s Tournament Committee takes comments and suggestions to the rules from players and other affiliated sources and, if necessary, will involve the Board of Directors for a rule change. However, if the committee feels that no changes are required, the rules remain the same for the following tournament year.
So while naysayers may doubt the likelihood of the U.S. following in this rule change, there may just be some hope yet for members of the PGA Tour who wish to pass on pants.
