As the weather finally turns, Women & Golf Fashion columnist Angie Huddart looks back on the hottest summer she can remember on the course — and the wardrobe rethink it forced on her. Love them or hate them, here’s her case for the golf dress..
It’s been a long, hot summer on the golf course. As the weather finally starts to turn, I’ve found myself thinking back over the past few months and the eternal warm-weather dilemma that came up again and again: what on earth do you wear to stay cool?
Dresses… do you love them or hate them?
I know plenty of ladies who immediately say, “A golf dress? Absolutely not. It won’t suit me.” Others worry they are too short, too clingy, too revealing or simply not “age appropriate”.
So, today I’m applying the golf test to the humble golf dress – and I’m hoping I might just tempt a few of you to give one a go.
My Spanish lesson in heat management
On a recent golf trip to Spain, temperatures were reaching the high 30s. I had sensibly packed skorts and tops that I could mix and match, keeping the amount of clothing in my suitcase to a minimum.
On paper, it was the perfect plan. On the golf course, however, I began to rethink my strategy.
The moisture-wicking technology in my clothing was doing exactly what it promised, moving moisture away from my skin and helping me stay dry. But I could really feel the warmth building around my middle.
And I found myself thinking: I wish I’d packed dresses.
Why? Well, take a closer look at the construction of a pair of skorts or shorts. The waistband alone can contain two layers of fabric, plus elastic, webbing or other construction elements inside the waistband. Then add a belt, and perhaps a polo shirt tucked in – or even sitting over the top – and you suddenly have quite a few layers sitting close to your body.
Even when the fabrics themselves are technically designed for hot weather, all those layers can restrict airflow and leave you feeling warmer than you would like.
A golf dress, on the other hand, can offer something incredibly valuable in extreme heat: airflow.
Less fabric. More freedom.
A good golf dress combines the simplicity of a single garment with the high-performance technology we have come to expect from modern golfwear.
There is no waistband digging into your middle, no belt, no separate top tucked into your skort and, importantly, fewer layers sitting against your skin.
That freedom of movement and airflow can make a surprisingly big difference when you’re standing on the first tee and the temperature is already pushing towards 30°C.
Look for dresses with mesh panels or strategically placed ventilation, particularly around areas where you tend to feel the heat.
And don’t automatically dismiss darker colours.
Yes, lighter colours can be beneficial in hot sunshine, but modern performance fabrics are designed to manage heat, moisture and movement incredibly well. The technology of the fabric is often far more important than simply choosing white over navy.
SPF isn’t just for your face
Another reason I’m increasingly impressed by modern golf dresses is the incorporation of SPF50 fabric technology.
I’ve talked previously about sun protection in golfwear, and it really is something we should all be taking seriously.
We spend hours outdoors, often without realising just how much sun exposure we are getting.
A dress can provide more coverage than a sleeveless top and skort combination, while still feeling cool and comfortable.
And remember: fabric with UV protection is an additional layer of defence, not a replacement for sunscreen on exposed skin.
But will it actually flatter me?
This is where I think golfwear has come a very long way.
When I started looking at the comments women make about golf dresses, two complaints came up time and time again:
“They’re too short.” And “They don’t flatter me.”
Both are perfectly legitimate concerns.
The answer is to stop thinking that there is one universal “golf dress” shape.
There isn’t.
Look for a style that gives you the length, coverage and structure you feel comfortable in. A slightly longer skirt can make all the difference if you don’t like showing too much leg. A dress with a little stretch will allow you to swing comfortably without clinging in all the wrong places.
And don’t be frightened of a little shaping.
A good golf dress should follow your body rather than fight against it. The aim isn’t to squeeze yourself into it – it’s to find a dress that skims, moves and makes you feel good.
After all, “age appropriate” shouldn’t mean boring.
So, have I converted you?
I’m not suggesting you throw every skort in your wardrobe into the nearest charity bag.
I still love them.
But after standing on a Spanish golf course in temperatures approaching 40°C, I’ve changed my mind about the golf dress.
It isn’t simply a fashionable alternative.
In the right fabric, with the right fit and the right technology, it can genuinely be one of the most practical things you can wear on a hot-weather golf day.
So, if you’ve always thought “golf dresses aren’t for me”, perhaps it’s time to take the golf test yourself.
You might just discover that the coolest thing in your golf wardrobe is the one piece you’ve been avoiding.
Read more from Angie: Does Premium Golf Fashion Really Earn Its Price Tag?
