Shoes for the Modern Gentleman

As twilight settles, the golf course transforms under a sky bruised with purples and oranges. The fairways glow faintly, kissed by the last rays of a sinking sun. A soft “click” cuts through the still air as your ball glides through the air, briefly catching the dying light before vanishing into the dusk. Shadows stretch long across the greens, where the flagstick stands sentinel, swaying in the evening breeze. The world hushes, save for the rhythmic crunch of spikes on dew-slicked grass. This is twilight golf, a fleeting moment of serenity, where every swing feels like a secret shared with the fading day.

Good morning and welcome back,

We continue our series breaking down proper clothing for country club-going gentlemen. If you are a new subscriber, I’d highly recommend checking out our early articles Golf Shoes for the modern club member , How to Dress When Playing Golf , and Golf Bags That Play Anywhere . Anything mentioned there is BTG approved.

Ok, onward. I see my fair share of hideous mens attire at country clubs, and I’ve made it a personal goal to do my part to reverse this trend. Shoes are usually the main culprit, and should not be overlooked! Possessing 2-3 versatile pairs of loafers and dress shoes from well-made brands is a must, especially if you plan to join or play frequently at nice clubs. Sneakers just don’t cut it.

Some initial guidelines:

Here are some shoes and brands I like, in no particular order:

Many other brands exist that I may not have mentioned, but these are the ones that you can purchase and wear from the office to the country club without thinking twice. If you don’t own any loafers suggest buying one brown pair ini that you’ll own for the rest of your life.

As I wrote this I found myself hating the dress up sneaker trend even more, so I left out those options. Stick to traditional loafers. This is a traditionalist publication, after all.

In honor of The Open. Some of you may be too young to remember, but this image brings me back. Love Stew, but the entire world was pulling for Mr. Watson (5x Open Champ!) and his classy, timeless look here. Now we live with Lime Green Stewy Cink etched into the greatest trophy in sports. Oh well.

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My goal is to revitalize the parts of golf that make it great, and to do so by spreading the gospel of Traditionalism and proper Etiquette. I believe most of you reading this share these beliefs. If that compels you to upgrade, I am honored. Regardless, I appreciate the support so far, and will see you Monday. Onward!

Tucked away in Harwood, Maryland, Anne Arundel Manor is the epitome of exclusivity, a golf club so clandestine it’s practically a myth. Founded in 2010 by Albert Lord, former CEO of Sallie Mae, this 18-hole masterpiece was crafted as a private retreat for the elite. With a rumored $30 million investment, Lord enlisted architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest to design a par-72 course spanning 7,100 yards, complete with shared fairways and a notorious “three-shot drain” bunker. In 2014, billionaire William Stone, founder of SS&C Technologies, acquired the property, further shrouding it in secrecy.

What sets Anne Arundel Manor apart is its unparalleled privacy. Unlike other exclusive clubs, it has no formal membership, just the owner and a select few invited guests. Only 100-200 rounds are played annually, making it one of the least-played courses in the U.S. Maintained by superintendent Thomas Walker, formerly of Inverness, the course rivals Augusta National in condition and prestige, yet remains virtually unknown. A gravel driveway leads to the first tee, where players park and step into a world of quiet luxury.

Mentions in the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post offer rare glimpses, while Reddit and Golf Club Atlas buzz with intrigue about its billionaire owner and relaxed vibe. Compared to ultra-private clubs like Cherokee Plantation, Anne Arundel Manor’s single-member model is unmatched. For golf enthusiasts dreaming of hidden gems, this mysterious course is a tantalizing enigma, accessible only to a privileged few.

Make sure you understand if the club allows cash tips or not. Tipping is frowned upon (even prohibited) at most top-tier private clubs, and the shoe guys/ outside staff will likely tell you they are not allowed to accept tips.

Make sure to ask your host about the tipping policy before you get there. This excludes caddies, as you should always tip them on top of the standard rate.

As I was hitting putts warming up for my final round of the Invitational, I looked at a fellow member (older guy) I know pretty well and joked that “my putter feels really good today”.

He looked me dead in the eyes and said: “Don’t ever say that out loud, actually, don’t ever think that, even if it’s true”.

I laughed. He didn’t laugh back. There’s a lesson in there.

Thanks for reading, catch you on Monday.

-BTG

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