'Would They Rather See My Hat Hair And Shake The Hand That Was Raked Over My Sweaty Scalp' – Should Golfers Remove Their Caps On The 18th Green?
Golfers removing their caps to shake hands on the 18th green is an age-old tradition, but is it absolutely necessary every time we walk off the golf course?
My colleague Nick Bonfield wrote an intriguing article recently, where he explained why he didn't understand why he couldn't wear a hat in the clubhouse, which compelled readers to leap into action and respond with a series of interesting comments.
The majority argued that removing your hat as you went indoors was essential, with one reader explaining that it's a combination of 'respect and tradition', but it was a question posed by another that peaked my interest.
Should Golfers Remove Their Cap On The 18th Green?
I'm a little torn on this debate. We don't need to throw out tradition, but we do need to embrace modern culture.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this matter, especially as it appears to be pretty divisive. My opinion isn't particularly strong either way, but there are a few things around this topic that grinds my gears.
I always make a conscious effort to remove my hat when I enter the clubhouse or the pro shop, out of respect for the game's etiquette, but I really don't appreciate that snarls that adorn the faces of other members when I occasionally forget.
Sitting in the clubhouse, which is a fairly formal setting, can feel uncomfortable when you have horrendous hat hair which is jutting out from your head at every possible angle - but I do it because that's the custom.
If I got a notification tomorrow that my club or a club that I was visiting had removed the requirement for hats to come off in the clubhouse, I'd be quite pleased and happy to go about my post-round business with a well-looked after, golf-specific hat resting on my head.
That leads me to Mark's point. In a similar fashion, I tend to remove my hat to shake hands at the end of the round (when I remember), but only because it's the 'done thing'.
However, I certainly wouldn't be offended if someone didn't remove their hat while shaking my hand.
Is wearing a hat in the clubhouse really that much of a problem?
My problem with this custom is that there is nothing more awkward than the fumbled handshake.
Removing the hat under pressure can lead to a poorly executed handshake, leading with the incorrect hand, while holding your putter, as the flagstick smacks you in the face and you drop your golf ball on your playing partners foot before it scrambles off into the greenside bunker.
That's never happened to me by the way, it's just an example (no, really).
Also, with the image that Mark burned into my brain with the mention of 'raking' and 'sweaty scalps', perhaps we should, if we are going to abide by this custom, consider some polite handshaking protocols.
No touching the hair, wipe your hand on your shirt sleeve or trouser leg first and do not linger. Thank you kindly.
What Do The Golf Monthly Team Think... Hats On Or Hats Off?
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing.
I recently argued the requirement to remove your hat in the clubhouse is old-fashioned and outdated, and while I don't think you should have to take your hat off on the 18th green if you don't want to, it's a gesture of courtesy and respect.
Still, shaking hands and saying you enjoyed the round or the company is sufficient in my view. Often when people remove their hat, they try to tidy their hair with their hand or hands, which clearly indicates they're self-conscious about it.
Then they use the same hand, now coated in a thin layer of sweat, to shake with.
Wouldn't it be fair easier to keep the hat on? In the professional game, you see players constantly trying to style their hair on the 18th green before and after shaking hands with their playing partners, especially those who are balding or self-conscious about their hairline. Let's all just keep our hats on and get on with our lives.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
It's not the end of the world if my playing partner doesn't remove their hat to shake my hand at the end of the round but, for me, it is just a respect thing, in the same way I would get out of my seat to shake somebody's hand in an office.
Golf is a game where you already have hundreds of things to remember, such as how to swing a club and what rules to follow, so it's not going to bother me if someone forgets to take their hat off when shaking my hand on the 18th green.
If I wore a hat when playing golf (which I don't) I would take it off, but it's not going to change my life if someone doesn't.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews.
I wear a cap every time I play golf and I always try to remove it before shaking my playing parners’ hands once the final putt drops - but I’m not entirely sure why.
I guess it is a mark of respect and just something us golfers do, but it does often create some difficulties when trying to put the flagstick back in the hole, your ball pack in your pocket and keep a hold of your putter all at the same time.
I have no idea why we do it but I will continue with the practice, although I certainly will not get offended if I shake hands with someone who is still wearing their cap on the 18th green.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann.
This might be just because I belong to the younger generation of golfers, but I don't think it's the end of the world if you don't remove your hat.
In fact, I might go as far as saying I really couldn't care less whether you do or don't.
Yes, it's tradition, but - to be honest - I'd be far more annoyed if someone didn't shake my hand at all.
Who cares what you're wearing while you do it? Plus, I don't like it when you remove a hat to reveal a squashed and sweaty mop of hair underneath. Keep the hat on, shake my hand and I'll see you in the bar. Everyone's happy.
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