New-York tribune., 1899-07-17
COLTS .SARTORIAL SIDE.
CLOTHES AND THE PART THEY PLAY
ON SUMMER LINKS.
THE RULE-TRAvIs's SIM
PIE RIJ-sENsIBLE TEXTURES FOR


To the superficial observer golf player Is the
most conventional person in the world about mat
ters of dress The general opinion nowadays, fos-
tered by the comic papers and others whose knowl-
edge Of the game is limited to soS1e afternoon golf
tea Is that clothes form the most important ee-
ment OF the sport and the more striking these are
the more slsilful is the who them.
People generally have idea that the game IS
merely an excuse for putting a glaring red coat.
donning n pair OF Scotch tweed 'knickers." adding
few other adornments In the way OF waistcoats.
ties and brilliant hosiery and strolling over the
links to the envy and admiration OF all beholders
Just now particularly, when many people are
preparing for n summer outing at the mountains
seashore. the question Of proper golf clothes be-
comes an important one. Most of the summer
resorts have their links and golf plays large part
in the doings OF the day. Consequently the query.
what shall I wear?' Is being asked with per-
sstent frequency and the is not always
satisfactory for the TO whom It Is put is often
as much In the dark his questioner.
The simple answer is. BE unconventional
you like for the less you think of your clothes the
better you will play" Golf has been called the
gentle game" but golf in July Is anything but
gentle. and the man who tramps three or four
miles in the brolling needs TO be clad in the
lightest and thinnest textures he buy. This
outfit generally consists OF an outing shirt, golf
trousers and low cut shoes The mistake most
novIces make Is to start out with some elaborate
rig that gives him away al TO the old habitues
Of the The young man of little means who
has scraped together from his winter earnings
sufficient for week some popular
sort feels ii incumbent upon him to turn out In
the most elaborate costume. and his chagrin is
great when carelessy dressed but comfort
able looking chap is pointed to him the club
champion. The latter Is taking his outing in the
most easy negigee. and throws off far pos
sible the conventionaes Of the city The true
golfer give. the impression that he forced to
leave the dressing room hurriedly and In going
snatched up the most convenient apparel, whether
1t fitted or not. Such Travis Douglas
Tying, Toler. Hartman and others whose names
are household words among golf players seldom
appear I'm anything but the most unconventional
dress. They wear what demands
for summer outfit. and those who planning
their vacation some golf course will do well to
follow their example.
AS rule even collars and stocks are discarded
at this season OF the year. and the unbuttoned
shir; at the neck adds 10 the effect of careless
ness. Travis wears the most comfortable looking
rig imagnable-wide, easy boots, short trousers
cut very full so as not TO hamper his freedom OF
swing, the thinnest of thin shirts and a Fedora
known as Travis himself. and many player COM
ing ing iate to the links has been able to distinguish
lie has worn the sarie hat almost since the outset
once remarked, Travis would not be Travis"
I Inc I India Pith helmet Is also popular as cover
iHs Htdu, 1Hu, III spite OF lS size, Is cool
and shading TO the eyes. Eugene l.. Richards, tr..
president OF the Staten Island Cricket Club; DR..
W. Gill Wyle. OF Ardsley and Francis NJ. Ward.
the popular secretary OF the Seabrght Golf Club,
were among the first to introduce this sort of
headgear for golf, and scores Of others have fol-
lowed their example. Hartman invariably wears
cap. but for most players this proves too severe
on the eyes especially at this time of year, and,
except for those courses near the seashore, where
the wind is apt TO be too stiff for any other cover
inG. caps rather frowned upon by the ma
tority Of players. Mary men prefer 10 wear moth
ing at all their heads, and, once accustomed
to the exposure 1t proves the most comfortable
and satisfactory plan.
For those who particular In the cut OF their
golfng togs ii may be said that the most ap-
proved style of trousers this season Is the loose,
baggy kind that falls in full fold over the knees
the Joint Short trousers still the most popu-
lar but they by means obligatory, and
hundreds OF prefer the long gray flannel ones
that are fully as cool and at the same time are
of a protection against mosquitOes-a pest
that must be reckoned with at not a few sum
courses. White duck is worn occasionally,
but little habit that most golfers have OF wtping
their hands their trousers after making tee
has made this n rather costly mode OF dress, and
few adopt IL except for special occasions. Put
plainly q golfer wear almost anything ne
pleases and the license taken by the better known
players gives free scope 10 the man who Is setting
out to purchase his summer outfit
with the ending of the days sport, however,
sudden transformation takes place. The old togs
are discarded and the man who has been seen in
the afternoon on the links would Acarcely be rec
ognized I'm the well dressed and well groomed
social customs OF the city rule and perhaps the
Tuxedo supplants the loose fitting coat OF the ar
ternoon while the flannel shirt gives way 10 tne
expansive front OF linen.