x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
9 insanely strict dress code rules enforced at the Olympic golf venue
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
Lifestyle

9 insanely strict dress code rules enforced at the Olympic golf venue

By: James Colgan
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
July 29, 2021
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
sepp straka

Austria's Sepp Straka in the first round of the Olympic event pushing up against the Kasumigaseki CC rule that states "towels should not be hung over the neck."

Getty Images

If you have a heartbeat and an affinity for professional golf, it’s likely you’ll have a first impression of Kasumigaseki Country Club by the end of next week. Maybe the Olympic host is bland, maybe it’s engaging. Maybe it’s too easy or the fairways are too narrow. Each is a valid critique, and by the time you read this, there are sure to be thousands of other first impressions populating in golf brains around the world.

There is, however, one first impression that you will not have of Kasumigaseki. You will not, under any circumstances, think the esteemed members of the Japanese club are underdressed. That is because Kasumigaseki has gone to extreme lengths to ensure no one will ever have the misfortune of gracing the property without the proper attire.

The rules, named “KCC Dress Code,” live on the club’s website. The document runs 519 words in length, covers five different subsections of golf attire, provides an in-depth description of appropriate fashion at all times, and, as you by now have guessed, has a no-nonsense bend. It is perhaps more accurately a ransom note for golf hipsters, an amalgam of rules and regulations that harken back to a lost era of golf — well, lost to those other than members and guests at Kasumigaseki.

“Dressing to reflect the club’s values and heritage means taking care not only with colours, patterns, and designs but also in the way you wear your outfit,” the document’s introduction reads. “Any player whose attire does not comply with these rules may be asked to change, and this may be unpleasant, especially for guests visiting us for the first time. Please ensure that your entire group adheres to the rules so that you may fully enjoy the day’s play.”

Here are nine of the most interesting rules outlined in the dress code, courtesy of the Etiquette and Fellowship Committee at KCC.

1. Suit up

Blazers or jackets are required upon arrival at Kasumigaseki, except between June 15 and Sept. 15 when the requirement is relaxed to “jacket optional.” Should you wish to wear a leather jacket or windbreaker, don’t. They are not permitted (though, in KCC’s defense, leather jackets would turn heads at just about any golf club).

2. Time to break out the knee-highs

If we were to distill the shorts portion of the dress code down to a single word, it’d be this: don’t.

Shorts are forbidden upon arrival at Kasumigaseki, and may only be worn during play if they are paired with knee-high socks. If your shorts have a built-in underwear liner, they are also forbidden. As for length, the KCC code dictates that shorts “should end above the knee; anything too short or too long is not allowed.”

3. Sorry, Dad…

…but your cargo shorts are going to have to stay at home. The dress code expressly forbids cargo shorts and pants along with jeans, mini-skirts, tights, leggings, and something called “hot pants.”

4. Collars up!

In an odd turn of heel from the preceding (and following) rules, the KCC dress code makes a rare exception for collars on golf shirts, which it says can be worn up during play. However, the Etiquette and Fellowship Committee asks that you return your collar to the seated position upon your return to the clubhouse.

News
kasumigaseki
Tour Kasumigaseki Country Club, site of the Olympic golf competition
By: James Colgan

5. Longer sleeves, longer problems

Perhaps you’re a purveyor of fine layered clothing for the crisp fall months in the Saitama Prefecture — great! But should you choose to play with a long-sleeved underlayer, know you must also find a long-sleeved OVERlayer. The dress code specifically forbids layering short sleeves with non-matching long sleeves or arm warmers that resemble long sleeves. The Committee asks if you must wear a long-sleeved base layer, you pair it with a long-sleeved outer layer as well.

6. Sneakerhead-ed back home

Kasumigaseki leaves a stark selection of acceptable footwear upon entrance to the club. Among the forbidden items: sneakers, sandals, mules, slippers and golf shoes. Metal spikes are also forbidden at all times (the sound you just heard was the membership sighing with relief after noted metal spike-wearer Bryson DeChambeau WD’d).

7. Pack a change of clothes

The crown jewel of KCC’s dress code rules. In the summer months, members and guests are asked to change their shirt and trousers before entering the dining room to prevent from leaving a damp seat for future guests.

8. Quiet down

If you weren’t already concerned enough with your clothes causing issues in the heat, you’d better cool it with those colors, too. The dress code expressly prohibits “loud colors” and “conspicuous designs” at all times.

9. Dry & Goodbye

Last but certainly not least, Kasumigaseki would like to ensure your towels are going to good use, which is to say, you’re not welcome to hang a towel around your neck, shoulders or the waist of your trousers. Use that sucker to dry off, then discard of it, lest you receive the wrath of membership.

Dress to impress, no matter the rules!

SHOP NOW
GOLF

GOLF “Relaxed” Hat

$30
View Product
Nicklaus x FH Wadsworth Elastic Stretch Belt

Nicklaus x FH Wadsworth Elastic Stretch Belt

$99
View Product
Nike Club UV Tall

Nike Club UV Tall

$70
View Product

Latest In Lifestyle

4 hours ago

Can you change golf balls mid-hole? Here's what the rules say

2 days ago

How much money do golf-course superintendents make? New report has answers

2 days ago

Charles Schwab Challenge betting guide: 6 picks our expert loves

3 days ago

The fabled wine Rory McIlroy uncorked to celebrate his Masters win

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
Olympic golf mixed competition

Golf's new Olympics event is a win for fans. It's about time

By: Sean Zak
News
Corey Conners interacts with his caddie on the 15th hole with a view of the Olympic rings at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Olympics to add men's and women's mixed golf event for L.A. Games

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
(L) Scottie Scheffler hugs Ted Scott at the Olympics. (R) John Ellis at the Tour Championship.

Should caddies get Olympic medals? This one weighs in

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Lydia Ko poses with her medal at the Olympics.

Tour Confidential: Lydia Ko's golden Olympics, U.S. Am preview

By: Jack Hirsh
Drivers
lydia ko olympics ping g430 max 10k driver

The key role Lydia Ko's Ping driver played in her gold medal performance

By: Jonathan Wall
News
Lydia Ko tearful after olympic win

Inside Lydia Ko's tearful journey to Olympic glory and the Hall of Fame

By: Sean Zak
News
Nelly Korda's shank on the 15th hole at Le Golf National derailed her hopes of a medal. After the round, she addressed what went wrong.

Nelly Korda says untimely Olympic shank hints at larger problem

By: Jessica Marksbury
News
Lydia Ko

In Olympic victory, the real Lydia Ko came out with 1 gesture 

By: Nick Piastowski
Gear
Ping G430 MAX 10K driver

Winner's bag: Lydia Ko earns gold in women's Olympic golf

By: Ryan Barath
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version