Wondering what to wear to a Dutch golf course? Here is the short answer: a collared polo shirt, proper trousers or bermuda shorts, and golf shoes with soft spikes. That combination is welcome almost everywhere in the Netherlands. But there is a nice surprise too — the rules are more relaxed than many beginners fear, and at some places, like where I teach, there is barely a dress code at all.
Let me walk you through it, so you arrive feeling calm and ready.
Why do Dutch golf clubs have a dress code?
Because golf grew up with one. The tradition goes all the way back to early Scotland, where players wore tweed suits and ties on the course. It was a way to show respect — for the game, for the course, and for the other people playing near you. That idea of respect is really the heart of it, even today.
So a dress code is not there to make you feel unwelcome. It is a small sign that you take the day, and the people around you, seriously. Honestly, once you own one nice polo, you stop thinking about it completely.
What is the standard dress code at a golf course in the Netherlands?
There is no single national rule. This surprises people. The Royal Dutch Golf Federation (NGF) does not set a recreational dress code — every club decides for itself. So the real answer is always: check that club’s website, or call ahead. Two minutes on the phone saves you any worry at the gate.
That said, most Dutch clubs land in the same comfortable place:
- A polo shirt with a collar.
- Trousers or bermuda shorts — neat, not sporty.
- Golf shoes with soft spikes or a fixed rubber-nub sole.
Get those three right and you are welcome at the large majority of courses in the country.
What can men wear — and what is not allowed?
Men wear a collared polo shirt tucked into long trousers or bermuda shorts. That is the standard, and it works at nearly every club. At a member club like The International near Amstelveen, for example, the rule is a collared polo with bermudas — but no sports shorts.
What to leave at home: T-shirts, jogging pants, tracksuits, and plain athletic shorts. These are not accepted at Dutch member clubs. One more small thing — many clubs ask you to take off your cap inside the clubhouse. Keep it on outside, off at the bar.
What can women wear — and what are the rules?
Women have more freedom, which I love. You can wear a collared polo — with sleeves or without — together with bermuda shorts, or a golf skirt or skort. All of these are perfectly correct.
If you ever play a club competition, the NGF tournament rules are a little more specific: a skirt, trousers, or bermuda, plus a blouse or polo that reaches your waistband when you stand up straight. For a normal round with friends, you do not need to think that hard. Comfortable, neat, and you are ready to swing.
Are jeans allowed on a Dutch golf course?
Yes — at most of them. This is the question I hear most, and the answer is friendlier than people expect. Jeans are allowed at the large majority of Dutch golf clubs, as long as they have no tears, no fraying, and no holes. Only a small number of courses prefer no jeans at all.
There is a lovely story behind this shift. The owner of a Dutch golf park once played her own course in jeans on purpose, as a public statement. She wanted to show that stiff clothing rules push new golfers away before they even start. A lot of beginners tell me the same feeling — they worry the clothing is a wall. It is not. The doors are opening wider every year, and clean jeans are usually just fine.
What shoes do you need — and is a soft spike required?
Golf shoes with soft spikes, or a spikeless sole with rubber nubs. Metal spikes are banned at virtually every amateur course in the Netherlands, and really around the world. The nice bonus: soft-spike and spikeless shoes may be worn inside the clubhouse too, so you are not changing shoes all day.
And if you are only coming for your first few lessons? You do not need golf shoes yet. Flat sports shoes are fine — just no sandals and no flip-flops. The NGF’s own beginner program, Golfstart, says the same thing: comfortable sportswear with freedom of movement is all you need to begin. So please do not spend a euro on special clothing before your first lesson. Come as you are, and we start with the fun part.
Does the dress code differ at pay-and-play vs. member clubs?
Yes, quite a lot. Private member clubs are the strictest — full collar, proper trousers or bermuda, correct shoes. Pay-and-play courses and modern golf venues are the most relaxed.
This matters near Utrecht. At Chi Chi — The Golf Venue in Utrecht, one of the two places I teach, there is no traditional dress code at all. It is a modern golf entertainment venue, so you come in comfortable, sports-appropriate clothes and simply enjoy hitting balls. The Hollandsche Golfclub in the same region says openly it has no dress code — they only ask that you wear something you feel good in and that does not embarrass the players around you. Kind and simple.
So the picture across the Netherlands is warmer than the old reputation suggests. Clubs are relaxing their rules to welcome younger and newer players — mock necks and quarter-zips are showing up on more and more courses. The game is opening its arms.
If you are thinking about starting, do not let clothing be the thing that stops you. Wear neat sportswear, bring flat shoes, and come and learn the basics of the game with me. A little course etiquette and a feel for a smooth, ready pace of play will carry you further than any perfect outfit ever could.
Whenever you feel ready, take a look at my lessons and prices — I would love to help you take your first swings at Chi Chi in Utrecht. Wear what feels comfortable. The rest, we figure out together on the grass.