The pick line is a barbed wire-like fence that surrounds a golf course or park where the golf balls and other small items are left by the players before entering the course. It is a common sight to see players walking down the line after a game to pick up their ball and have it signed by the other players. This custom began during the great pandora ball scam in the early 1900s, when people were trying to avoid being scammed by fake balls. Nowadays, the pick line has become a symbol of sportsmanship and good fun.
Origins Of The Pick Line
The earliest reference to the pick line can be found in the “Rules of Golf” by A.B. Tillinghast, first published in 1902. In those days, golf was seen as a less “sporty” game and more of a “pastime”. The only mention of the pick line was in reference to the fact that balls had to be retrieved by the player after completing their round. The rule stated: “The ball may be played with once, but must be replaced before the following shot. The player shall proceed in this manner, walking along the course, or in the event of a heavy shower, to one of the alders or bushes, and returning with the ball when play is resumed.”
The “Golfers’ Code”
Although golf was once seen as a “gentleman’s game”, it has always been popular with the more “rowdy” members of society. This has caused it to evolve into one of the most popular sports in the world, as demonstrated by the large number of golf courses and parks that exist around the globe. The popularity of golf has led to it becoming a symbol of masculinity and virility, as well as a source of income for some business owners. This has in turn led to the development of numerous codes of conduct among the game’s professionals and aficionados.
How To Be A Gentleman During A Game Of Golf
One of the most famous golfers of all time was the great Henry Cotton. He was an entrepreneur who made his fortune selling equipment to the American railroad companies. In 1899, he established the Cotton Club in New York City, which became one of the most exclusive venues in the world, attracting some of the greatest stars of the time. Cotton believed that men should conduct themselves with the utmost class while playing sports such as golf, leading to the formation of the Cotton Golf Club, an organisation that promotes “moral purity” during games of golf. The following are some of the things that Cotton proposed that men should do to be considered “polite” while playing golf:
- Dress well
- Shower before and after the game
- Refrain from vulgar language
- Maintain a proper posture
- Give up drugs and alcohol
- Not bring weapons or illegal substances on to the course
- Eat food
- Play fair
- Be considerate of nature
- Say good morning or good night to other players
- Maintain eye contact
- Maintain a safe distance from the hole
- Not walk where other players are walking
- Walk with a purpose
- Wash and clean all equipment after use
- No caddying for friends
- If you break any of these rules, you may be expelled from the club
These rules led to the creation of the “Gentlemen’s Code”, which still exists today. As the game’s governing body, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has stated: “The USGA has a long-standing policy against discrimination or segregation in any of its activities. The organisation firmly believes that discrimination in any form is wrong and contrary to the fundamental spirit of the game.”
The Evolution Of Golf Club Fashion
Golf clothing has changed a great deal over the years, adapting to the societal norms and mores of the day. When golf was first becoming popular in the United States, the only people who would dare to wear such outfits were the upper classes, as demonstrated by the fact that the game was originally only available to men. This created a fashion gap in the ladies’ fashion market, as golfers were trying to hide the fact that they were playing a “man’s game”. This led to the development of unique fashion styles for golfers, such as the knickerbocker suit and tennis sneakers. These styles remained popular for more than 100 years, being identified with the rich and famous. It wasn’t until the 20th century that golfers began to accept and even appreciate the fact that they were playing a “sporty” game, which in turn influenced the way they dressed.
Dress Appropriately
The sporty and affluent look of golf has always been associated with the knickerbocker suit, with the game’s governing body creating a specific dress code for golfers, as stated in the “Rules of Golf”: “Gentlemen will wear white bucks, grey trousers, and black shoes. The coat and waistcoat will be of dark cloth.” These rules were in place for the first golf championships in the United States, which were held in the Bronx in 1922. The following year, the rules were revised to allow for the wearing of “colourful” costumes.
The evolution of golf clothing is an example of the way sports fashion has changed throughout the years. While it began as a way for the upper classes to feel “more British”, it has ended up being one of the best-dressed games in the world. This is mainly due to the fact that nowadays, it is not uncommon to see golfers wearing designer clothes and expensive accessories.
Social Status
Golfers’ clothing has changed a lot over the years to reflect the social status of the sport’s participants. When the game was first becoming popular in the United States, it was mainly played by the upper classes and their friends. The fact that the game was seen as a “man’s game” and the fact that it was only available to the well-bred, led to the development of exclusive fashion styles such as the knickerbocker suit. The following is a list of famous people who wore this style of clothing: