The result is in. 69% of visitors to the GoKart website say smart casual is the correct dress rule. 25% say “it’s ok, we’re grown ups, we’ll decide for ourselves what to wear”. 6% say “long socks with shorts”.
We have to admit we support the relaxed approach on the course, and breathe a sigh of relief when we don’t have to change into a tuxedo and tiara for the post round beer. Surely it’s in a club’s interest to make it as easy as possible for members to avail themselves of the facilities before, during and after a round. So golf shoes allowed around the place and sensible, but not over stringent, dress rules. That’s our pennyworth anyway…
We are currently going through the treacle of trying to modernise our dress code to a standard that is acceptable to all. The demograph of the club (The Links Course at Newmarket) is 60 + years old so there is quite a serious discussion going on with the old traditionalist wishing to maintain very high standards which are not to be found when partaking in any other leisure pursuit and the fewer younger set wishing the code was relaxed somewhat. Any advice or news of how a similar problem has been succesfully dealt with would be most appreciated. I belong to the older bracket but realise the future of the club lies with the younger set and I therefore support sensible change.
Ian Duncan.