Question is, when did we stop getting dressed to play golf? Perhaps 1997 when Tiger Woods stroked his way to his first majors win in full Nike? Or maybe when drab lycra became the norm for all sportswear in the 2010s?
Whenever it was, we lost our way. Come 2025, with the feelgood afterglow of Rory McIlroy’s GOAT-making Masters win still shining brightly, now’s the time to rediscover the glory days. Specifically, the ones when Kevin Costner wore pleated trousers and knitted ties at pro-ams.
Kevin Costner in action during the third round of the PGA Tours 2004 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Poppy Hills Golf Course February 7, 2004. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
Steve Grayson
A new wave of guys are heading back to the clubhouse right now – probably in the misguided hope that they can still (somehow) one day make a Ryder Cup squad. According to YouGov, an upswing of interest in golf means 43 per cent of men of all ages claim that they ‘like’ or ‘really like’ the sport in April 2025. Should you be one of them, don’t you think that your putting green get-ups deserve a bit more attention and respect? You know, riffing off Kevin Costner circa the early noughties.
The Yellowstone and Dances with Wolves legend does not have as many majors to his name (read: any) as Vijay Singh or Phil Mickelson, but does that matter when you see the v-neck sweater vest and pleated trouser combinations he wore in 2000 (for an invitational pro-celebrity golf tournament in Monte Carlo) and 2004 (for a PGA Tour pro-am in California)?
Kevin Costner during Big 3 Records Monte Carlo Invitational Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament 2000 at Monte Carlo Golf Club in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Toni Anne Barson Archive/WireImage)
Toni Anne Barson Archive
These looks are inspired by golfing styles of the 1950s, when tailored slacks and knitted vests allowed for both freedom of movement and swaggering etiquette. They also improve upon combinations worn by Costner in the 1996 movie Tin Cup, in which the actor plays the Rocky Balboa of golf. Happy Gilmore, this movie was not, readers.
With brands like Charles Tyrwhitt, Arket and John Smedley all serving up similar styles for 2025, it’s time to lean into Costner’s precedent for more thrilling golfing menswear. After all, why shouldn’t your return to the fairway blow the competition out of the water?
Charles Tyrwhitt
Long-Sleeve Polo Shirt
Charles Tyrwhitt
Leather Belt
Arket
Alpaca-Wool Blend Sweater Vest
Charles Tyrwhitt
Non-Iron Chinos
John Smedley
Dorset Knitted Polo
Charles Tyrwhitt
Performance Twill Shirt
