What To Wear To The PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY. As one of golf's major championships, it's a chance to dress up just a bit more than most tournaments. 

To that end, it's still a golf tournament. It's not the Kentucky Derby or a night out. I think "Athletic Chic" is the perfect aesthetic to keep in mind if you're heading to a tournament. 

That's not a limiting concept. You can still wear stylish dresses, cute shorts and tank tops or even something more traditionally considered "golf attire". 

Golf Tournament Do's

• Bring a small bag. PGA Tour events have a restrictive purse policy. Bags must be smaller than 6"x 6".
• Wear sunscreen to protect your face, hands, neck and arms. I love Elta MD's or Skin Authority's. Learn more about Elta MD here or Skin Authority here.
• Wear a hat, if you're so inclined. Not only does it shield your face from the sun, it's also a homage to the Kentucky Derby, the home of fabulous millinery. 

Golf Tournament Don'ts

LOVE these Gucci sandals, just not for a golf tournament.

• Don't wear hoochie shoes, stilettos or strappy platform sandals with a pointy heel. They'll sink into the grass and make you look like an amateur. Go with wedge heels or a nice espadrille.
• Don't wear a fanny pack. Seriously. I don't know why I have to reiterate this but I see them repeatedly at golf tournaments. 
• Don't sport crazy, patterned shirts or things with wild logos on it. The HP Byron Nelson Championship is known for having ladies from local strip clubs walk the course with their clubs' logo emblazoned across the front. That's fine. For them. For you, go a little classier. Save the logo swag for another event. 
• It bears repeating: DON'T forget about the purse policy. I have friends who have had their bags confiscated. TIP: you can squeeze a malleable bag to get it within the 6-inch rule (about the length of a dollar bill). I have done this a few times to squeeze my Chanel Wallet-on-a-Chain into events.

Browse These PGA Tour-Approved Purses

Shop Golf Tournament Looks

Teeing Up the Conversation with Executive Women's Day at the HP Byron Nelson Championship

Irving Mayor: Women can be assertive wo being aggressive. You either know ur stuff or u don't. U have a backbone or u don't. #pgatourwoman

— Lynda Oliver (@ltwoliver) May 13, 2014

I consistently lament the fact there aren't enough women's networking groups in DFW.  From tackling topics ranging from women hating other women in the workplace (that's a book I could write) to working motherhood, there are certain issues that career-focused women face.

The PGA Tour offers an outstanding initiative that gives like-minded working women a chance to connect with its Executive Women's Day.  This two-year old program includes a panel discussion, a behind the scenes tour of the inner workings of a golf tournament and an inspirational keynote address as well as an entire day of networking.

OVERHEARD: Either you stand up for what you believe or you don't. @astellas @PGATOURWoman @thatsportsgirl pic.twitter.com/MruzUpUxy0

— Momentous Institute (@momentous) May 13, 2014

With the HP Byron Nelson Championship teeing off Thursday morning, I moderated an impressive panel on Tuesday at the Four Seasons featuring Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne, Morgan Stanley Vice President Sallie Behnke, Corgan Interiors Principal Lindsay Wilson and Lockheed Martin Quality and Mission Success Director Robbin Murley.  They shared insight on mistakes they've made in their careers (learn from them and move on), offered advice for returning to the workplace after a hiatus (stay connected via networking) and more.

@PGATOURWoman #pgatourwoman Carla Harris - successful people use everything in their toolbox: intellectual background, experience, network.

— Debbie K Womack (@DKWomack) May 13, 2014

Morgan Stanley Managing Director and National Women's Business Council chairperson Carla Harris offered outstanding career and life lessons in her keynote address.

RT @hpbnc: What an amazing day here at the @hpbnc ... standing ovation for @carlaannharris #inspired #pgatourwoman pic.twitter.com/MxficivboM

— Mallory Beck (@beckisakeeper) May 13, 2014

The PGA Tour offers Executive Women's Days at various tournaments and will do so at The Crowne Plaze Invitational at Colonial next Tuesday.  I'm excited to moderate the executive panel there for the 2nd straight year.

This initiative will expand to 35 tournaments in 2015.  You can participate in the conversation throughout the golf season by following their account on Twitter and also follow #PGATourWoman.

What is this program's success a testament to?  The need for more opportunities like this for working women.

Learn How The PGA Tour's New Bag & Purse Policy Will Affect You

The PGA Tour is taking a page from the NFL and has implemented a new bag and purse policy for 2014 that restricts what patrons can bring into tournaments.

How will this affect you if you're heading to the HP Byron Nelson Championship May 11-18 or Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial May 19-25th?  Well, the policy is a bit more liberal than the NFL's because it allows opaque diaper bags, something the NFL prohibits.

Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette

The PGA Tour's purse restrictions call for tiny bags, though, allowing a bag that is 6"x6" or smaller.  Finding a purse 6 inches (roughly the length of a dollar bill) or smaller is tough. I scoured the internet for bags that work.

A Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette works for just about any purse policy.  It measures at 5.5" wide and 3.7" tall.

Prada Small Zip Saffiano Crossbody Bag

This small Prada crossbody bag is another stylish option.

Let me vent: This screams of another policy designed by a mostly male staff that has no clue about real world problems women face when it comes to carrying our crap.

Here is the actual policy:

For more information visit the PGA Tour's website.

This is Only the Beginning
Expect restrictive bag and purse policies to become to the norm.  Leagues and organizations claim that the policy is primarily for security, citing 2013's Boston Marathon bombing as the impetus for tighter restrictions.

One NFL source told me that these policies simply make the security screening process easier.  Meaning fans can get into the game quicker because bags are easier to check and security screeners have fewer judgement calls to make.

The source indicated he wouldn't be surprised if the NBA and MLB followed suit.

Shop Purses That Fit Within the PGA Tour's Purse Policy