As you’ve undoubtedly heard, last month Michael Jordan was thrown out of a U.S. golf club and told to never come back. His offense: He dared to play golf in pants with pockets on the outside instead of the inside. Cargo pants, they’re called. Wearing them is against the rules at many private clubs, including the one that decided to make an example of a world-famous sports figure.
No doubt, the club believed it was making an important statement. As news of Jordan’s dress-code violation spread far and wide, however, what message was ultimately delivered?
For sure, people heard that golf has some silly rules. Unfortunately, they also heard that golf isn’t always welcoming to people who are even marginally different, and that its culture favors those who look the same, act the same, think the same, and yes, dress the same. Perhaps some were reminded that a few clubs, both in the United States and elsewhere on the planet, still won’t open their doors to women. Some may have heard darker echoes and wondered if Jordan would have been treated differently if he were white.
All of these unfortunate messages discourage would-be golfers, especially the young ones our business so desperately needs.
Without question, rules are important. But so are public relations. And self-inflicted wounds are always the worst.
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Its interesting to see how the golf clubs react to dress-code violation. It is important to look smart and professional on a golf course but like you have said it is also important to try to encourage younger people to get on the golf course. There are a lot of variety now available for men a women, so you can look stylish and still smart while playing golf.
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