Golf

After 1860, golf became much less exclusive and grew to be a popular sport for Vermonters. A number of golf courses opened during the 1890s, including a 9-hole course in Manchester (in 1894), the Waubanakee Golf Club in Burlington (in 1897), and the Old Pine Golf Club in St. Johnsbury (1899). The Vermont State Golf Association was formed around 1902. Country clubs began to appear heavily during the 1920s, at which time golf really took off. Croquet also became a large fad around 1866 and continued to be a popular sport for lawn parties in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Golf, although less exclusive after the Civil War than before, was still largely a sport for those of economic means. Fashionably dressed men and women joined golf clubs and country clubs to enjoy the leisure of the newly popular sport. The dress worn by golfers has often been distinct, and the style of the outfits can help in dating an historic image.

The early 20^th century image below illustrates the conservative sporting dress of both the men and women. A typical sporting outfit for women during the first decade of the century consisted of a blouse (usually white), a long dark skirt, a neck ribbon, and a straw hat. Men typically wore long trousers with button down shirts and neckties.

Early 20^th Century Golfers: Image courtesy of the University of Vermont Landscape Change Program and Henry Merrill

The women in the image on the left are not as conservatively dressed than those in the image above. The woman standing wears a dress, but it is shorter than the typical 1900s and 1910s fashion. The woman crouching appears wear knickers and a close-fitting hat that is typical of the 1920s. The more casual attire became popular during the 1920s. The women in the image on the right don the sportif fashions popular during the 1920s for such sports as golf and tennis.

Women Golfers: Image courtesy of the University of Vermont Landscape Change Program and Henry Merrill. Image courtesy of Valerie Mendes and Amy de la Haye, 20^th Century Fashion, 1999.

Golfing attire was quite unique for the 1920s man. Knickers, patterned socks, patterned sweaters or suit coats, and soft caps all made an appearance during the 1920s.

1920s Golfing Attire for Men: Image courtesy of Valerie Mendes and Amy de la Haye. Image courtesy of the University of Vermont Landscape Change Program and Henry Merrill.

1920s Golfers: Image courtesy of the University of Vermont Landscape Change Program and Henry Merrill