If you’re into style, there were two places to be last week: One was New York Fashion Week, where you could see the highlights from the Fall-Winter 2025 runways. The other was the WM Phoenix Open, in which Rickie Fowler went full camo, fans wore egregious “Let Him Cook” hats and pros tried out brand-new styles for the rowdy crowds.
There’s no better sport to watch right now for the fashion-forward individual than golf, which has slowly backed away from its stuffy identity and now let’s its pros go for it … for good and for bad. Just last year (and coming soon again), Golf Digest put out an entire Style Issue, dissecting the new brands and personalities making waves in the sport from Keith Mitchell fashion guru to the ever-present Malbon to the ugly golf shirts we all know (and sometimes love). Of course, with great power comes great irritation, and every week seems to come with it a good deal of complaints and confusion.
Thus, we’re here to settle all this up. The genie’s out of the bottle when it comes to tour pros trying out new looks, but let’s try to figure out where exactly the line now is with our panel of Golf Digest writers/editors. LIV Golf’s already walking back its shorts-in-competition idea, so it’s never too late to fix what’s broken and get overgrown leg hair out of the game. Hopefully forever.
"One would say, quite a comfortable shot there for Jason." 😅@JDayGolf holes it for eagle on No. 14 @attproam 🦅 pic.twitter.com/l4iSXD41N6
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 2, 2025
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Christopher Powers, Staff Writer: If you follow me on X/Twitter, you’ve probably noticed I have plenty of golf fashion takes. In reality, I don’t care all that much what a grown man gets paid to wear, even if it’s as shocking as Jason Day’s sweatsuit or Rickie Fowler’s deer-hunter fit. Brands seeking attention, be it negative or positive, are as American as apple pie. I just live for the social-media fodder (FEED me all the joggers discourse). However, there is one thing I will take a stand on—black golf shoes. They literally do not go with anything but black pants, and even that can be a tough look depending on shirt/hat color. Black shoes are WOATED, as the kids say.
Ben Walton, Senior Producer: Large letter hats. Please no more.
Mike Johnson, Equipment Editor: I’m actually OK with shorts for the first three rounds, especially when it’s uber warm (we don’t need a re-enactment of Robert Garrigus’ infamous swamp butt from the 2010 FedEx St. Jude Classic). For the final round, however, long pants, please. Why? I just can’t imagine the iconic golf photos (Hogan’s 1-iron, Nicklaus’ “Yes, sir!” putt, etc.) being so historic if players are showing a little leg.
Gregory Gottfried, Web Producer: As a golfer who’s bought a Malbon shirt or two and even owns Bryson DeChambeau’s beautifully hideous equations polo, I’m all for trying out new things on the course. I run hot as well, so I can’t really blame the pros when they go for shorts. I kinda love how out-there things have gotten, and I’m all for this progressing until we reach a breaking point. Isn’t it exciting not knowing where things are going to end up? At the very worst, that’s content gold right there in the open, and I hope I’m quick enough to snatch it up on The Loop chat.
Stephen Hennessey, Deputy Managing Editor: People are acting as if Rickie and J-Day have been playing PGA Tour events in clown costumes. Listen, I’d go to the range in sweatpants like Day wore at Pebble. So why not the course? And Rickie’s camo outfit is very extra, but if that’s your personality, maybe you’re comfortable in that. It might not be for you, but golf is finally getting cooler. Step aside as the cool kids go by.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
