Kilt wearing by Americans playing golf in Scotland

**JABarrett** · 8th March 15, 11:31 AM

My brothers and I are traveling to Scotland for a "bucket list" trip in May to play a few of the great courses there. We are from the US. We have been talking about wearing kilts to play one of the courses- perhaps Royal Dornoch, or maybe the Old Course. While we would enjoy doing this immensely, we also want to be sensitive to violating any unwritten rules that may exist with regard to non-kilt wearers wearing kilts and avoid being annoying or offensive to our hosts- i.e., being perceived as mocking the culture or generally being obnoxious. So I wanted to ask for feedback from this group. I figured I could count on honest feedback. Thank you.

**Tarheel** · 8th March 15, 12:48 PM

Well met JA. My dad (81 years young in April) has ambitions to play every golf course in both Carolinas. He's devoted my whole life time to fill that goal and still gets 36 holes in every Sunday the weather permits. He'd love the idea of you and your brother's plan to play the Scottish greens. He'd never go, even if invited, or wear a kilt while playing. The excuse would be the material interrupts his stroke. Welcome from Oxford, MS and have a fun trip.

**Stitchwiz** · 8th March 15, 12:53 PM

I'm not a golfer, so I can't comment on kilting while golfing...but I am sure you will get lots of gentle opinions from the rabble.

Enjoy your trip!

**Standard** · 8th March 15, 01:07 PM

Might check out this thread from Forrestermodern about his experience. Not to say that everywhere is like this. I'd like to think this is more of an outlier then the norm.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...se-kilt-60785/

**Dale-of-Cedars** · 8th March 15, 02:23 PM

Note to self, Samuel L. Jackson is not an authority...
kanye-west-skirt-samuel-l-jackson.jpeg
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...036#post375036

**Jock Scot** · 8th March 15, 03:00 PM

I know very little about golf, but bring warm and waterproof clothing!

**tpa** · 8th March 15, 04:32 PM

Bear in mind that all courses, but particularly coastal ones can be windy as well as wet. With the wind in the wrong direction, it might be your kilt pin rather than the ball that gets launched down the fairway.

**The Q** · 9th March 15, 12:20 AM

Having stayed in St Andrews many times for work, though not a golfer, I have chatted to many who were , there is a ballot for non Members to play on the Old Course such is the Demand, and some have not get managed to play, having stayed there a week in high season. The ballots are drawn 2 days ahead, so you get to choose to go elsewhere should you fail to get in. The ballots are on the internet.
I would think all clubs have an internet presence these days have a look at their sites when you are planning which to go to and see what their dress codes are.

**tpa** · 9th March 15, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Standard

Might check out this thread from Forrestermodern about his experience. Not to say that everywhere is like this. I'd like to think this is more of an outlier then the norm.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...se-kilt-60785/

If you check out the link in the above post, you will see that Troon has changed its rules regarding shorts. No mention of kilts or skirts though: "Trousers and shorts should be tailored and appropriate for golf. Blue denim, paramilitary or camouflage style trousers, cargo pants, cut-offs or tracksuits are not permitted." So kilts with attached cargo pockets may be an issue, even if traditional ones are allowed through. Not a problem for me, my handicap was that I could never hiyt the ball straight enough to get onto the rating scale and Troon has a maximum of 20 for men and 30 for women. Sex discrimination again.