Golfing kilted--suggestions and comments

[ForresterModern]

I played my first round of golf yesterday kilted at a charity fundraising event for the Childrens Hospital for which I work and am a prominent Department Head. I discovered a few things about the experience I would like to share with others in the rabble who may be similarly addicted or tempted. It happened to be blowing fairly strongly, what we golfers would call a two club wind gusting up to a four club wind in certain places on the course (probably 20-49 knot winds).

First, I had to drop the belt and sporran---too heavy and restrictive at the waistline for me to make a full turn with the driver. I might have been able to get away with a narrower belt, but chose to just stick with the braces (suspenders) I have for that particular kilt (it tends to wear a bit loose and low otherwise).

Second, when riding in a golf cart make sure you do a good pleat sweep and tuck any excess in tight under your bum or you will repeatedly flash the crowd as the cart gets up to speed or the wind gusts. Probably not an issue if you are a walker with or without a caddie.

Third, practice at home in front of your wife or girlfriend, a mirror, or a friend you trust, the technique of bending over to pick up your ball off the ground or out of the cup---standard male technique of doing so (usually standing on one leg while leaning over and raising the other leg for balance) tends to raise your kilt in such a way to expose those under parts we so dearly try to keep private. Find a less exposing technique and master it before venturing out, especially in mixed company.

Fourth, sorry guys, but a flat cap works far better than a Balmoral or Glengarry on the golf course (too hot and the black color only makes the wool of the hat hotter). A colored tam might work better if lightweight, but the flat cap at least has a brim (albeit short one) to shield ones eyes and face from the sun at least a bit.

Fifth, be prepared for a LOT of strange looks from others on the course as, even though the game is a scottish invention, and many courses actually have a bagpiper playing at sunset each evening, people do not expect to see a kilt or other scottish attire on a golf course, at least not in the US, even knickers (or plus fours I believe they are called in the UK). I only got one question about if I was going to play the pipes at the end of the tournament---I do not play the pipes so the answer was in the negative, to the disappointment of the asker.

Lastly, it is a bit more distracting in the wind to have your pleats and aprons fluttering in the breeze when you are setting up your shot or putt than it would be in p@nt$ or $hort$.

Good news? You get a lot of attention and questions about your scottish heritage, compliments about the kilt actually being appropriate attire considering the background of the game, and, as usual, the ladies go gah-gah. I had my photo taken by the official tournament photographer several times, as he said he was determined to get at least one good picture of me to be used in next year's brochure to advertise the fundraising tournament. I also had a woman come running out of one of the houses bordering the course to shoot a picture with her Iphone as her mother was scottish (a Kerr)---she even asked what tartan I was wearing (my Forrester Modern, of course).

Wish I had had the opportunity to wear the kilt on the golf course in Scotland last summer but had to cut my trip short and forego the golf altogether. Next trip to Scotland to include golf, and at least a round or two kilted. Need to see what the reaction of the natives to the kilt on the course will be before finalizing my opinion of the kilt on the course. So far it is a positive one.

[The Kilted Reverend]

I plan on at least one kilted round this summer. I think it would be fun.

Slainte,
TKR

[lethearen]

My company does a charity golf event every year. I don't golf, but I'm thinking of taking it up for schmoozing purposes, heh. But if I do, I was planning on going kilted. Thanks for the tips!

[tyger]

Interesting. Most of that would apply to the sporting clays courses as well! But..............WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?!?! We want pictures (well, I do, anyway).

[Jack Daw]

Those were great tips!

[TheBlueCow]

Great tips, thanks. Ever since I started kilting I've wanted to golf kilted. Still don't know if I will until I get a heavier kilt though.

[ForresterModern]

Interesting. Most of that would apply to the sporting clays courses as well! But..............WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?!?! We want pictures (well, I do, anyway).

Hard for me to take pictures when I was the one kilted and doing the golfing. I meant to get one or two shots with my iPhone but left it in the car. Hopefully the official photographer got some good ones and will contact me about using them. Will post if/when I get them.

[ForresterModern]

Great tips, thanks. Ever since I started kilting I've wanted to golf kilted. Still don't know if I will until I get a heavier kilt though.

Mine was a 13oz 8yd tank with a fairly heavy kilt pin, and it might have been better with a 16oz, although I did not know it was going to be that windy until I got to the course kilted already.

[-B-]

I have gone golfing kilted for many a year it is fun and cooler in the high heat of summer. I finally got a soft sporran so no more sans sporran, I have always had a good soft belt and moderate buckle.

I wear my usual golf wide brim straw hat to bad if someone don not like it, it is what I want.

[Nerts]

I've recently become addicted to Golf and have over the last year REALLY wanted to go kilted but haven't for whatever reason. Last night I did a search for kilted golf on here and it looks like there's a few that have done it with great success (although maybe not to their game). So, this summer, I too will be golfing while kilted!

I think I'm going to do what ForresterModern suggests and pratice my swing and (golf) ball retrieval.

Thanks!

E.