The main rules of golf are dependably immutable. You know the powers-that-be won’t start allowing “hit till you’re happy” off the first tee in competition or declare, “You know what? You can ground your club in a hazard from now on.”
Yet golf’s other rules — its unofficial customs and etiquette — are in a state of constant evolution. Bluejeans at the club? Out of the question a few years ago, but now acceptable at many courses. Cell phones? Considered a hideous invasion a decade ago. Now it’s the rare club that doesn’t allow them somewhere on the premises.
Depending on your point of view, these represent welcome changes in a game that is sometimes too stuffy for its own good or pernicious threats to the sport you love — or maybe somewhere in between.
To find out where clubs stand on these and other mannerly matters, we surveyed more than 2,600 public and private-course golfers throughout the United States. Here’s what they told us about the rules where they play the game, circa 2010.
COURSES THAT ALLOW DENIM (BLUEJEANS)
PRIVATE: 37%
PUBLIC: 68%
Among private clubs that allow denim, 74% permit it in “designated areas” only. Continue reading →
