Look like a pro

Four of the season's hottest tour trends that anyone can wear

By Marty Hackel,
Golf Digest's Mr. Style August 2008

BRIGHTS: as worn by Phil Mickelson; Photo By Sam Greenwood/Getty Images; Color isn't about age or your driving distance; it's an attitude. Playing in bright colors is something players on all professional tours embrace, and you can follow their example by using the power of color to send nonverbal signals about your mood. Wear red (like Mickelson here) to show you're ready for competition. Pale, cool shades such as light blue mean you're out for a relaxing round with your buddies.

faux jeans: as worn by Justin Rose; Photo By J.D. Cuban; Don't let the bold stitching fool you, denim fabric makes blue jeans what they are, not their Levi's-like styling. This fashion trend on tour and at high-end clubs involves pants that look like jeans but are made from high-quality cotton fabric. The reasons the look is popular among players such as Rose (left) and Michael Campbell are that the pants are comfortable and still look sharp after 18.

Photos By (from top) Dom Furore, Getty Images, Stephen Szurlej

BUCKLES: as worn by
Camilo Villegas
Rory Sabbatini
Anthony Kim; You've got to have confidence and serious game to wear something as bold as one of the buckles pictured here. And it sure makes a fashion statement. Tour players have long worn stylish belts, but buckles are shifting from brand logos to supersize personal statements. Consider wearing one only if you have something to say and the game to back it up.

WHITES: as worn by Daniel Chopra; Photo By J.D. Cuban; Wearing all white can be a little scary because it seems as if only those with a perfect physique can pull it off. You're wrong. Dressing in one color, including white, exudes elegance with no contrasts or distractions to call attention to your faults. During the summer, there's nothing cooler to wear. Plus, this look isn't difficult to put together -- the pieces are probably hanging in your closet.

Ask Mr. Style

Q: For a casual round with buddies, I like to play with my shirt untucked. Is this OK?
-- J.Kasper / Orlando

A:If you are playing a casual round with friends, sure, go ahead. My biggest reservation is, golfers wear such oversize shirts that when untucked, they resemble a nightshirt.
To avoid looking sloppy, buy a polo that fits correctly: The shirt shouldn't fall past the top of your front pockets.

For your style questions on and off the course, e-mail Mr.Style@golfdigest.com.