SPORT A Brief History of Golf Attire

There’s one thing many sports (and fashion) enthusiasts agree upon: golfers are among the most stylish athletes. From iconic Scottish trousers to the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition watch, let’s take a look at the essential garments worn by golfers throughout history.

The origins of golf date back to 15th-century Scotland. To endure the region’s rough weather, the capes and trousers of players were mainly made of tweed, a woolen fabric intended to protect them from the wind and keep them warm. On the courses, the first “knickerbockers” made their appearance. Golfers shed their top hats and paired these short, puffy trousers with flat caps.

On the women’s front, the first known women’s golf tournament was held in 1811. At the time, long skirts and hats were still the norm on the fairways. Their golfing outfit was not so different from their everyday attire.

It wasn’t until the 20th century that women dared to wear short-sleeved shirts on the greens, though they still wore long skirts. The real revolution happened when the skirts became shorter, offering the players more comfort and freedom of movement. The garment quickly found its way onto tennis courts and was famously adopted by tennis player Suzanne Lenglen in 1925.

In the men’s wardrobe, styles continued to evolve. Until the 1930s, it was not uncommon for players to wear suits, with or without a tie. Gradually, they abandoned this accessory in favor of lighter, more casual outfits. The US Open of 1933, held during a scorching heatwave, contributed significantly to this change. After this event, shorts, polos, and skirts gradually took over the golf courses. The look of golfers shifted from traditional to glamorous. The 1970s, with their flashy colors and jacquard patterns, were the most obvious illustration of this change.

On the eve of the 21st century, fabrics became increasingly technical. The traditional two-toned leather shoes gave way to more comfortable sneakers, and fabrics became more technical, waterproof, and stretchable, giving way to more functional golf clothing.

The worlds of watchmaking and golf are intimately linked. And even more so since the era of smartwatches. While golfers have always enjoyed wearing mechanical wristwatches, their enthusiasm reached new heights with the advent of connected watches. For modern golfers, the smartwatch is more than just an accessory; it’s a precious and indispensable ally, giving them easy access to golf-ready applications like TAG Heuer Golf. A jewel in this range? The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf edition, the most luxurious connected golf watch, designed to boost performance on the green.