Speaking of belt buckles

[tn-golfnut-from-nj]

Isn't there some kind of a dress code on the PGA tour?
I'm all for individuality and all, but that Sabatini skull belt buckle is tacky at best.

Will Augusta let him wear that thing?
Is he even going to the Masters this year?

[Topflite_D2]

Yeah no kidding I don't think they should let him play that belt buckle. It could reflect off the sun and cause someone to hit a bad shot.

[Augster]

They had to relax the dress code once Tiger started wearing t-shirts out there.

Who is going to be the one to tell Tiger he has to wear a collared shirt to play? If you or I tried to play these country club venues most of these tourneys are held on, if we tried to play in a non-collared shirt as a guest the starter wouldn't let us out.

But because he is Tiger, nobody can say anything.

Finchem? Yeah right. Does he really want to see Tiger cut down to just the majors (which he has ZERO control over) and appearance money overseas? I don't think so.

The course? Tiger just wouldn't ever play there again. The Tourney's Sponsor? Tiger would skip it forever. Most of his tourneys are places that he is under contract to anyway so you know they are letting him do what he wants.

I could theoretically see the PGA Tour putting out a "No skull and crossbones, no blood, no depictions of death, rape, poison, torture, bondage, terrorism etc. etc. on any equipment or clothing" policy. They "could" do it so as not to single out one guy, but gosh, it's golf. You wouldn't think you would have to.

What if Tiger wanted to start wearing shorts? Then what? Caddies get to wear them at most venues. Who is going to sit down with Tiger Woods and say, "I'm sorry Tiger, but you just can't play this tourney unless you put pants on." The ONLY people that could are Augusta, The R&A, The PGA, and the USGA at each of the majors. Tiger wouldn't miss a major.

But if he wanted to play the Buick in shorts, who's going to stop him? Hell, he's already wearing t-shirts. What if he wanted to wear cut-offs and a wife-beater?

I'll be shocked if Rory has the nads to wear it at Augusta. I'll be equally as shocked if he does wear it and Augusta doesn't do anything to him.

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by Augster

I'll be shocked if Rory has the nads to wear it at Augusta. I'll be equally as shocked if he does wear it and Augusta doesn't do anything to him.

This is EXACTLY why he wears it. Shock value.

If no one cared, it would disappear. Period.

Personally, I could give a rat's anus what that snivelling jackass does.

R35

[ezra76]

I thought it was a bit misleading, the GC having this "interview" with him about donating the $175K from the Target World Challenge to charity. Um, hate to tell you but everyone who played in that donated thier $$ to charity.

As to the belt buckle, it's no big deal IMO. If Poulter and DC can wear the pants they do... I suppose the the Skull is less offensive to me than Camillo's butt cheeks as well. I personally find Sergio's outfits much more of an eyesore.

[figjam]

Originally Posted by ezra76

I thought it was a bit misleading, the GC having this "interview" with him about donating the $175K from the Target World Challenge to charity. Um, hate to tell you but everyone who played in that donated thier $$ to charity.

As to the belt buckle, it's no big deal IMO. If Poulter and DC can wear the pants they do... I suppose the the Skull is less offensive to me than Camillo's butt cheeks as well. I personally find Sergio's outfits much more of an eyesore.

Particularly the canary yellow ensemble from the Open in 2006. What was he thinking? That was without doubt the stupidest choice of clothing I've ever seen on a golf course. He was probably tring to look colourful, but he just looked ridiculous. Fortunately Tiger put the blow torch on him and he meakly capitulated without so much as a whimper so we didn't have to gp through the trauma of seeing someone doing a tweety bird impersonation holding up the claret jug. That would have been a crime against golf as well as fashion.

P.S. Incase you haven't noticed, I don't like Sergio.

[Sneaky Long]

Originally Posted by Augster

They had to relax the dress code once Tiger started wearing t-shirts out there.

Who is going to be the one to tell Tiger he has to wear a collared shirt to play? If you or I tried to play these country club venues most of these tourneys are held on, if we tried to play in a non-collared shirt as a guest the starter wouldn't let us out.

But because he is Tiger, nobody can say anything.

Finchem? Yeah right. Does he really want to see Tiger cut down to just the majors (which he has ZERO control over) and appearance money overseas? I don't think so.

The course? Tiger just wouldn't ever play there again. The Tourney's Sponsor? Tiger would skip it forever. Most of his tourneys are places that he is under contract to anyway so you know they are letting him do what he wants.

I could theoretically see the PGA Tour putting out a "No skull and crossbones, no blood, no depictions of death, rape, poison, torture, bondage, terrorism etc. etc. on any equipment or clothing" policy. They "could" do it so as not to single out one guy, but gosh, it's golf. You wouldn't think you would have to.

What if Tiger wanted to start wearing shorts? Then what? Caddies get to wear them at most venues. Who is going to sit down with Tiger Woods and say, "I'm sorry Tiger, but you just can't play this tourney unless you put pants on." The ONLY people that could are Augusta, The R&A, The PGA, and the USGA at each of the majors. Tiger wouldn't miss a major.

But if he wanted to play the Buick in shorts, who's going to stop him? Hell, he's already wearing t-shirts. What if he wanted to wear cut-offs and a wife-beater?

I'll be shocked if Rory has the nads to wear it at Augusta. I'll be equally as shocked if he does wear it and Augusta doesn't do anything to him.

He'll wear it and he will be there. If you win on the tour or are in the money, you qualify for Augusta. Went in 2006 and Rory wears that buckle for good luck.

[Augster]

Originally Posted by Sneaky Long

He'll wear it and he will be there. If you win on the tour or are in the money, you qualify for Augusta. Went in 2006 and Rory wears that buckle for good luck.

Yes, you "qualify". Augusta still has to invite you. Everyone is there on invite only.

If they don't like you, they will not invite you.

A hack like Sabattini only gets so many rounds in his life at Augusta. If one of the green coats asks him politely not to wear the buckle, he won't wear it. I don't think he'd risk a lifetime ban from the place because he is so dedicated to his attire.

[eli_yates]

i think its kind of funny how apparently no one likes rory (i do) but most everyone still feels the need to bring him into conversation and give him the attention they themselves claim he doesnt deserve.... seems almost counter productive maybe im wrong but i doubt it. and sabbatini is not a hack golfer he has 4 wins and that is more than most. if he was a hack he could not have won the colonial last year. he actually is a good golfer and nobody on tour says hes a bad golfer its his personality they despise... get real guys.... sabbatini is the furthest thing away from a hack. dang guys its quite childish how you attack a guy for being himself... rorys my favorite golfer i chew gum when i play but only cuz it helps me relax i can see why he does it.

[eclark53520]

This whole debate of individualism VS traditionalism is going to get alot worse than the belt buckle...it has started, and theonly way to stop it is to stop it now with tiger and loose some money but save the traditionalist view of the game of golf being a higher class game or let it go and pritty much let them wear what they want.

I feel if its done any other way someone is going to feel like they were singled out.

Personally this is how i feel: I am watching to watch golf, its the golf channel, not the golf fashion channel, if your watching to see what people are wearing, your at the wrong channel. I could care less what these people wear as long as they still hit 300+ yard drives, stick 210dy approach shots inches from the pin, and drain huge putts

[MCDavis]

Perhaps Augusta should come up with a uniform dress code for The Masters. They already control the caddies attire, why not the players? This would eventually flow down to all majors and tournaments, of course.

I can see it now...white golf shirt/green pants on Thursday, green golf shirt/white pants on Friday, blue golf shirt/khaki pants on Saturday, and of course red golf shirt/black pants on Sunday!

I hate Rory's belt buckle, but no less than other outfits mentioned above. However, I respect the fact that they can wear what they want, and they do.

[SiberianDVM]

Per David Feherty:

David Duval was the first player to wear un-collard shirts a few years back. Since then, turtle necks have crept into the permissible sartorial envelope and the necklines have niggled down ever so slightly. Personally, I like it. Most of the guys are in good enough shape to look fine with or without a collar as long as it remains tasteful. If it ever gets down to low plunging mesh or sheer nylon jump suits unzipped to the scrotum, we may have to go to uniforms.

From the PGA:

Female participants must wear slacks, culottes, walking shorts, or golf skirts which constitute acceptable clothing worn by women in connection with participation in professional golf tournaments. Male participants must wear slacks and participants shall not wear shorts anywhere on club property. Jeans are not to be considered slacks.

Of course, the PGA is also the organization that says

Participants must have been born female in order to play from the women's tees.

Spoil sports.

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Augster

Yes, you "qualify". Augusta still has to invite you. Everyone is there on invite only.

Not true. The Masters has an agreement with the tour. Those who qualify are "in" regardless of if Augusta likes them or not. Rory's belt buckle is just that, a belt buckle. No more or less stupid than the Superman belt buckle a certain Brit wore. Certainly no more bothersome than the tacky get ups Sergio wears.

As for him being a hack, I would call that statement ridiculous. The man is racked inside the world top 10, and was amongst the best players on tour week in week out last year.

I find all the Rory hate comical. People bitch and moan that no one will stand up to Tiger. Then someone does and all they hear is "shut the hell up". IMO Rory is a breath of fresh air on a tour that is as close to archaic as they come.

[warbirdlover]

Look back to the 70's when they were wearing bell-bottom plaid pants and white belts and HUGE collars. And Payne wearing the knickers for all the pro football teams near where the tourney's were held. Nothing has changed. As long as they wear clothes and look neat they're probably okay (I don't know where Daly's billboard shirts fall in on that.. ). But Sergio's "banana suit" was pretty gross.

[joeyo]

There is nothing wrong with big belts, the players can wear whatever they want if they stay in the dress code. There is nothing saying that belts have to be a specific color or style. I'm all for the creativity these guys show, I was inspired and I own a JL white belt haha.