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The Four Categories of Fashionable Males You’ll See at Every Golf Tournament

May 1, 2009, 4:50 PM UTC

Words by our resident country club correspondent Jim Ryan.
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â†µI once heard someone say at a golf tournament that you can spot the European players all the way down the fairway because of the way they dress. Indeed, it seems that most golfers can be grouped into one of four distinct sartorial classifications. Here they are, and what they can tell you about a golfer. â†µ

â†µLook: The gentleman jockâ†µâ†µ

â†µâ†µPrime example: Tiger Woodsâ†µ

â†µâ†µOther examples: Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy, Anthony Kimâ†µ

â†µâ†µTypical clothier: Nikeâ†µ

â†µâ†µCommon accessories: Swooshes, biceps, top-20 rankingâ†µ

â†µâ†µKey characteristics: The gentleman jock is usually dressed pretty well -- often in dark slacks and a bright shirt. However, function is as important as form. These golfers wear fabrics that “maximize evaporation” and use “comfort technology for reduced bulk and weight.” It helps to be fit when rocking this look, as the clothes tend to be trim but not tight. â†µ

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â†µLook: The prepâ†µâ†µ

â†µâ†µPrime example: Davis Love IIIâ†µ

â†µâ†µOther examples: Luke Donald, Adam Scott, Lorena Ochoaâ†µ

â†µâ†µTypical clothier: Poloâ†µ

â†µâ†µCommon accessories: Saddle shoes, visor, Rolex sponsorshipâ†µ

â†µâ†µKey characteristics: The look most commonly associated with golf, itâ†µincludes lots of pastels, argyle, sweater vests and animal emblems onâ†µshirts. Relatively classic (and expensive), it can be pulled off byâ†µplayers both young and old.â†µ

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Look: The internationalâ†µâ†µâ†µPrime example: Camilo Villegasâ†µ

â†µâ†µOther examples: Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Shingo Katayamaâ†µ

â†µâ†µTypical clothier: J. Lindbergâ†µ

â†µâ†µCommon accessories: Bad hair, white belt, legions of female fansâ†µ

â†µâ†µKey characteristics: These golfers’ clothes are tight and bright. There’s a high degree of color coordination -- often, the putter grip even matches the player’s shirt (I wish I were joking). Your average American duffer would look fairly ridiculous in these threads, and they probably violate his country club’s dress code in some manner. â†µ

â†µLook: The “who cares? I’m golfing”â†µâ†µâ†µPrime example: Chad Campbellâ†µ

â†µâ†µOther examples: Steve Stricker, Boo Weekley, Ben Curtisâ†µ

â†µâ†µTypical clothier: Again, who cares?â†µ

â†µâ†µCommon accessories: Beer gut, male pattern baldness, lack of recognition from casual fansâ†µ

â†µâ†µKey characteristics: The preferred look of the American everyman, it typically includes plain, baggy pants and shirts. In Weekley’s case, camouflage may be incorporated. These players dress for comfort and let their golf do the talking. They’re all rich and have hot wives anyway, so who cares how they look on the course?â†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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