Mention golf or golfers to people who don’t play the game, and the picture they imagine usually has more to do with what golfers wear than anything else.

It might be a stereotype, and is likely outdated, but golf DOES have a close connection to the apparel that goes with being a golfer.

What you wear while playing golf can range from very casual at most public courses, to more conservative or ‘dressy’ at many resorts and most private clubs.

The choices of shorts vs. long pants, t-shirts vs. collared shirts and spiked shoes vs. simple athletic shoes will be dictated by where you play and your personal preferences.

But, if you play golf more than 2 or 3 rounds a year, there ARE some very practical considerations about what you should have when it comes to apparel for the golf course. Weather considerations are at the top of this list.

Playing golf in the rain has to be considered possible. In some places, even probable.  Our golf ‘ancestors’ in Scotland certainly accepted this fact, and frequently played in what many of would consider very un-golf-like weather. To them, it was simply part of the challenge of this great outdoors game.

Fortunately, today, we have access to far superior protection from the rain and wet grounds than they could have ever imagined. This would start with what is commonly referred to as a ‘rain shirt’. Light, but wind resistant and waterproof, a wind shirt can easily be stored in your golf bag, ready for that sudden downpour, or the daylong drizzle.

Taking the idea of the wind shirt a step further, you might also want to consider a full rain suit. Instead of just upper body protection, the rain suit also offers ‘pants’ made of the same materials, lightweight, and waterproof. To make your rain and wet course protection complete, there are several lines of golf shoes that offer extra protection in damp conditions. If you’ve ever slogged around in a pair of wet golf shoes (and socks), you can likely appreciate how welcome such protection would be.

Weather conditions on the golf course are, in most places, usually warm, if not downright hot. Again, there are exceptions to this, and depending on where you live and play golf frequently, your golf apparel might also require some cold weather considerations. A golf sweater or jacket can be easily carried along in your bag, although most of the time, you’ll likely be wearing it before you start your round.