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Hats Off in the Clubhouse - A Tradition We Shouldn't Lose

JB said:
I realize you hit google and read only the first line, but may want to keep reading and see the evolution of it that brought in a show of respect, houses of worship, and private homes.

The evolution included a show of respect.
And above is the google ai and there are a number of other theories behind men doing it for women and showing respect to all when indoors
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I get it, it’s just a tradition though. I obey it, but it’s just a tradition.
 
I'm totally fine with taking it off if required. I'm totally torn how I feel about it being required. I think it's one of the traditions where I think it's not a terrible thing to continue and not asking a whole lot. I do prefer the flexibility of hats being allowed indoors, but don't mind enough to argue against it being required to take them off. I think there other things that are bigger concerns to address than whether or not you take your hat off indoors. So, I kinda think it's not a bad tradition to keep, especially at nicer places.

If I ever mistakenly wear my hat indoors somewhere I'm not supposed to, it's because it's totally slipped my mind that I even have a hat on. I totally give any THPer full ability to knock the hat off my head if I do this. :LOL: :LOL:
 
JB said:
I should start by saying that at my courses, in the Dormie Network, it is in fact a rule. Strict at some properties, less at others, but we respect their rule.
My previous club, in Nashville, it was a very strict rule. But I also view it as just part of every day life and realize not everybody feels the same way.

To me, taking your hat off indoors is a simple gesture that shows respect—for the game, for the people around you, and for the clubhouse environment itself. Golf has already modernized in so many ways, but not every tradition needs to be tossed aside for convenience.

Why is such a small courtesy suddenly seen as burdensome? If the clubhouse is meant to be a social, communal space, shouldn’t we preserve the traditions that set it apart from the parking lot or course?

My hat just stays clipped to my golf bag until its time to see the course. Is this a reasonable rule expectation and why do all traditions need to go away, when this has no "gate keeping" attached to it?
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I've got no issues with the rule if it is, in fact, a rule. Just like I have no issues with a dress code at a course, or restaurant, etc.
 
I always respect club rules. That being said, I wear a hat as a function not fashion. Protection from the sun, peak keeps the rain off my glasses and for warmth when it’s cold. I can’t think of a time when I’ve ever worn a hat inside…..apart from a visit to the Gents in the locker room.
 
You know, I think part of it is the type of environment you have at your course and what you get from said course.

The only time I set foot inside is to check in with the pro shop, or to pee. Honestly never occurs to me to go hat off in those scenarios.
 
Joshnoble01 said:
Random question, have you ever seen someone push back against it at an experience? I know in a previous thread I said I didn't realize it was a rule at Dormie Network, and I absolutely could have broken the rule unknowingly. If you asked me, though, or someone said something, there's zero chance I wouldn't be apologetic for not knowing the rule and remove it.
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Well I will answer yes to it, At our private country club, a few golfers walked into our tavern ( inside setting) from playing a round, kept their hats on. The manager walked over and mentioned that hats are not allowed inside, and he mentioned they are welcome to go outside on the covered patio which also has its own bar and they are allowed to wear their hats. But one guy said, what if we want to stay inside, the manager said then you will have to leave. Simple as that, the guy removed their hats and ordered.
 
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I can get with this
 
Though I am at times guilty, I can get behind this tradition. Frankly I sometimes feel like Tony Soprano when I go to a nice restaurant and some mook is wearing a hat or t-shirt and shorts - shorts are ok, but at least put on a decent shirt and leave the hat in the car - if I wanted to see people dressed like they are at the gym or McDonald's I'd go the gym or McDonald's.

I do wish some other nicer places here would enforce a few rules like this.

A few weeks ago went to a lock steak house, dropped about $400 on 3 meals/drinks/wine, solidly 1/3 of the clientele were dressed like crap - I was boiling by the time we left, and we won't be going back - 2 reasons, it wasn't that good and the lack of decorum in mens chosen dress - and it's funny, not one woman was dressed like crap - what the f**k have we come to as a society?
 
Canadan said:
groupthink is a brutal thing - and it's a big reason why I say this rule wouldn't work as a blanket rule for all golf - but rather, reserved for places who want to uphold that quality of experience for their membership and guests.

Example: if you can't convince someone to tuck their shirt in to play golf, what good is a hat removed while inside? If you can't convince someone to not wear jeans to a golf course, what good is a hat removed inside? My course has a rule where jeans are allowed in the dining room and that kind of pisses me off, honestly.
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I am in the minority here then. Having a hat on inside a club does nothing to class it up other than to see a bunch of bad hair matted down and sweaty after a round of golf with a bright red line where the hat band was. How is that improving the quality.
My club is very exclusive and 100% private. We allow denim, hats in the clubhouse, music on the course (the pro shop pumps music out to the 1st and 10th tee box) and has the who's who of the local areas as members. Polos are required, they can be untucked if you want. Not once have I seen anyone look unkempt.
I have never been around a more welcoming and less snobby group of golfers in my life.
I simply do not understand how a hat on somehow changes the mood or respect we show each other.
Now if I am at a club that requires it I will take it off. But its back on ASAP. I have no issue with club rules, but I am glad my club isn't stuck in the 30's
 
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JW Smoove said:
Though I am at times guilty, I can get behind this tradition. Frankly I sometimes feel like Tony Soprano when I go to a nice restaurant and some mook is wearing a hat or t-shirt and shorts - shorts are ok, but at least put on a decent shirt and leave the hat in the car - if I wanted to see people dressed like they are at the gym or McDonald's I'd go the gym or McDonald's.

I do wish some other nicer places here would enforce a few rules like this.

A few weeks ago went to a lock steak house, dropped about $400 on 3 meals/drinks/wine, solidly 1/3 of the clientele were dressed like crap - I was boiling by the time we left, and we won't be going back - 2 reasons, it wasn't that good and the lack of decorum in mens chosen dress - and it's funny, not one woman was dressed like crap - what the f**k have we come to as a society?
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You ever go eat at the Village Inn or Dennys at about 4:30 pm? You’d love the attire. Most men in collared shirts and a blazer. Women in modest clothing.
 
As a guest of any club... No hat will be donned unless I'm on the course. It just elevates the experience that much more.
 
Hawkins said:
You ever go eat at the Village Inn or Dennys at about 4:30 pm? You’d love the attire. Most men in collared shirts and a blazer. Women in modest clothing.
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Interesting, I’ve not been in a Dennys in 20 years!
 
I’m fine with the tradition or rule but I don’t link the idea to respect any more than following any other rule
 
If it’s a rule or if it’s asked of me or stated that it’s expected I have no issue following rules or wishes. My club does have such rule or wish so it’s hats on at my club. If going to club for dinner I’ll go without hat.
 
JB said:
I have seen this a few times.
What if a course has a rule and its not plainly stated, but they just ask.
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This just made me think about shirt being tucked also. I was playing a buddies CC and he was texted by a member playing in front of us to tell me to tuck my shirt in….i didn’t eleven realize it was untucked but right when my buddy told me, I tucked it back in and apologized about it.
 
It’s a rule I haven’t ever given much thought too. If a club has it I oblige. Although sometimes I need to be reminded as I am used to wearing a hat all of the time and often forgot it’s there.
 
KEV said:
I'll admit at my home course there are a lot of times that I walk in with my hat on, but it is not a requirement to take it off. I actually love the idea of taking it off out of respect and I think I will start doing that going forward. One of the things I love about golf or some of the traditions and I think this is a good one.
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I appreciate that you see something you have not thought about, spent some time thinking on it. Regardless of where people come down, if they would expose themselves to different thoughts and act on them they should be commended so...well done.
 
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echico said:
I wear my hat at Chili's but if I go to a nice steak house then I don't wear a hat. There are levels. Some may agree with the logic and some may not.
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after the 'demic, when some of our people had to go back into the office for work there was a noted morale drop. One person literally wore a shirt that said "I don't want to be here" and another that said "I am screaming inside"

I went a different direction. I did not have to go in but did so to support my assistant so I bought a bunch of ridiculous shirts and started wearing them. My favorite was Abraham Lincoln carrying a flag in one hand, constitution in the other, riding a dinosaur. Another was a muscular shark wearing pool floaties sipping a pool drink. Just ridiculous stuff but funny and it lightened the mood.

I wore them so often that one day when a vendor came to town, they were taking us to an upscale steak house. One person felt compelled to text me I might want to wear something nicer as if I did not know the difference between wearing goofy shirts to make people laugh and doing serious business. The reminder was not needed but it did make me laugh
 
If it is a rule, I follow it. If someone, even a fellow golfer, asks me to do something, I will try to accommodate (pull the pin, move my ball mark, take off my hat, turn down/off music).

Personally, I remove my hat indoors at a golf dining room/club house. I am not taking it off to walk into a proshop and am comfortable wearing a hat nowadays indoors at many other locations.

I could care less what others do, even if there are rules unless I am sponsoring them. There are pages of people on social media complaining about others wearing hats or shorts in a cruise line dining room when it is against the rules: I don’t have enough space in my head to worry about other people’s actions, faux pas, etc.
 
darthweasel said:
after the 'demic, when some of our people had to go back into the office for work there was a noted morale drop. One person literally wore a shirt that said "I don't want to be here" and another that said "I am screaming inside"
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We did a survey and the results were staggering. 3% wanted to be back in the office full time. 7% said 2 days a week would be okay. 90% said no and we will quit if you pull that nonsense. I miss the job market being strong.

Actually my employer has been really good about almost everyone being full remote and actually starting hiring people out of state to expand the talent pool.
 
My country club requires you to remove your hat in the clubhouse. I usually sit on the back patio where you can keep it on.
 
leftybob said:
We did a survey and the results were staggering. 3% wanted to be back in the office full time. 7% said 2 days a week would be okay. 90% said no and we will quit if you pull that nonsense. I miss the job market being strong.

Actually my employer has been really good about almost everyone being full remote and actually starting hiring people out of state to expand the talent pool.
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The 'Rona completely short-circuited people on the concept of actually having to go to work.
 
I agree with this. I wish more courses did this.
 
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