Black Tie Etiquette, Tuxedos on the Golf Course, and more.

Good morning, and welcome back.

As a cartoon bowtied golfer on the internet and writer of a publication called The Tuxedo Collective, it’s about time I discussed proper black tie attire.

I attended a black tie wedding on Saturday, and as I do at golf clubs, I took a keen eye to the menswear. Now, the weddin g was actually black tie optional, which in my eyes means black tie required. Weddings are fun and celebratory events, what better attire than a well-fitting tuxedo to match the occasion?

I’ve never understood weddings that are standard “formal” attire. I view wearing a suit as business attire, and not a function of a fun event. Donning a tuxedo puts the wearer in a jovial mood. Can’t explain it, but it’s true.

Anyway, back to some of the issues I noticed with those that chose to wear tuxedos. I’m writing with the assumption that nobody reading this owns a double breasted tuxedo or wears a waistcoat anymore. I’m also writing with the assumption that all of you reading this either own your own tuxedo (a worthy investment, especially as you approach the wedding years) or are planning on buying one in the near future.

The below traditions are for modern single breasted tuxedos. If you want to get into more specific details or nerd out read this.

Here is what I noticed, and would recommend you avoid if you want to look sharp at the next black tie event:

A final observation - white soled dress shoes (and sneakers) remain a strong force in formal menswear. I will lead the crusade against them for as long as it takes to have them piled up and burned in the streets. I saw far too many 50+ year old guys wearing this stuff. Not good!

One of the events I’ve heard about through the grapevine is Merion’s annual member-only Bobby Jones event, played yearly around the anniversary date of his U.S. Amateur victory, and completion of the Grand Slam in 1930.

The members play foursomes in the early afternoon, followed by a quick change into tuxedos. With drinks in hand, they march to the tune of a bagpipe from the clubhouse to the 11th fairway, where a toast ensues.

A cool event to honor one of the great golf accomplishments the game has ever seen.

Niche one today -

Let’s say you’re playing as a foursome and one of your playing partners hits an iron shot. As you walk ahead to keep up with pace of play, check to see if the divot remained intact. If it did, toss it back to either the caddy or the player. Keeps things moving and is a nice gesture.

Bonus insight - If you can throw it 5-10 yards without the divot breaking into pieces, the course is in top tier condition.

Boca Raton once had two Flynn courses. Flynn’s South Course was drawn across a wide, sandy plain south of Camino Real and toughened by winds off the Atlantic.The land was flat and sandy, located south of Camino Real.

The South Course stretched to about 6,700 yards and played as a par 72. Flynn added 162 bunkers across the layout, and the bunkers were flashed high and placed directly in the line of play. Greens were large, averaging over 10,000 square feet.

The course played firm and fast in the winter wind, with the last four holes moving directly into the prevailing breeze from the Atlantic. The seventeenth hole was a 570 yard par five modeled after Pine Valley’s seventh.

Historians consider the South Course one of Flynn’s best designs. Some rank it as equal to Shinnecock and Seminole. Wayne Morrison of the William Flynn Society stated it would be viewed as Florida’s greatest course if it still existed.

Sadly, the U.S. Army Air Forces took over the Boca Raton resort in 1942. The South Course was used for radar school training and fell into disrepair. After the war the land was sold and redeveloped.

Architectural files and photos survive, and they tell the story of a course that might have set Florida’s standard162 bunkers, big greens, and a finish built straight into the breeze.

I downloaded TikTok to see what the deal is with golf content these days. Even though my expectations were low, the content I saw shocked me. I’ve come to the conclusion that if you do the opposite, and avoid doing or looking like anyone in the golf TikTok universe, you are on the right track.

I started this publication because I started to notice a slow and gentle deterioration of etiquette and traditions on the golf course at the clubs where I play.

Now that I’ve seen what millions of new golfers are fed on a daily basis, my resolve to fix the attire and etiquette in the game of golf has grown tenfold.

As an aside, I’ve tried to prepare myself for the sartorial terrorism I will no doubt encounter at Bethpage, but I’m sure I’ll still be shocked.

Talk soon,

BTG

Email me: [email protected]

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