When Melanie Friedman, founder of Crossover Golf, sat down with longtime Golf Channel host Lauren Thompson, the conversation quickly turned into something bigger than clothes.
It became a snapshot of a shift happening across the entire women’s golf world.
Not just in how women dress on the course, but how they feel, how they express themselves, and how golf apparel is finally catching up to the way women actually live.
Here’s what Lauren, who has been covering professional golf since 2009, has seen change and where she thinks women’s golf fashion is headed next.
The “Shrink It and Pink It” Era Is Finally Over
Lauren remembers walking into golf stores early in her career and seeing a familiar, frustrating layout:
- A massive men’s section
- A tiny women’s corner
- Limited sizes
- Boxy, unflattering fits
- A lot of random pink
Finding something stylish, functional, and flattering to wear on the course felt nearly impossible.
Fast forward to today, and she calls the change a “huge leap.”
Modern women’s golf apparel is:
- Designed for movement and performance
- Made with better materials (breathable, antimicrobial, sun-protective)
- Actually flattering
- Full of personality, prints, and color
And most importantly — it’s designed with the understanding that women don’t want to feel like an afterthought in pro shops anymore.
Personal Style Is Finally Showing Up on the Course
Lauren loves watching how LPGA players now use fashion as an extension of their personality.
From bold prints to sleeves for sun protection, to socks, hats, and accessories — you’re seeing individuality come through in ways that simply didn’t exist before.
That trickles down to everyday golfers too.
Fashion on the course is becoming less about “what you’re supposed to wear” and more about how you want to show up.
The Rise of Golf Clothes You Don’t Have to Change Out Of
One of Lauren’s biggest observations came backstage while hosting the PGA Show fashion show.
Watching models change between outfits, she realized something important:
These pieces weren’t just for golf.
They mixed and matched with everyday clothes. They were comfortable enough to travel in. Stylish enough to wear to lunch. Flexible enough to wear all day.
That’s when it clicked:
Women don’t want golf clothes.
They want great clothes they can golf in.
The ability to play 18 holes, swap shoes, and go straight to a meeting or dinner without changing? That’s where brands are finally getting it right.
Why Jenna Sims Koepka Is a Golf Fashion Inspiration
Lauren points to Jenna Sims Koepka as one of the most fun and influential golf fashion follows right now.
Her “Get Ready With Me” tournament videos show outfits that feel bold, playful, and sometimes outside the box. And often, Lauren admits, she’ll think:
“I would never wear that…”
Until she sees Jenna walking the course in it — and suddenly it works.
It’s a reminder that trying something outside your comfort zone can lead to discovering a whole new version of your style.
A Retro Revival Might Be Next
Lauren has a love for 30s, 40s, and 50s fashion (she even took swing dancing lessons in high school), and she’d love to see women’s golf lean into more classic, heritage-inspired style.
Think:
- Polished silhouettes
- Classic caps
- Plaids, tartans, and houndstooth
- Pieces that feel respectful of golf’s history while using modern performance fabrics
Especially at iconic venues like Old Course at St Andrews, she believes style that nods to tradition feels just right.
Trends She Loves (and One She’d Like Gone Forever)
Loving right now:
- Fun prints for women
- Neutrals with impeccable fit
- Statement accessories like shoes, gloves, and sunglasses
Ready to retire:
- Front pleats in men’s golf pants
- Any women’s piece you have to tug, adjust, or think about during your swing
As Lauren puts it:
“If you’re adjusting your clothes after every shot, that’s bad design.”
The One Piece Every Woman Needs
Lauren doesn’t hesitate here.
A perfectly fitting pair of golf pants.
The kind you can wear:
- In heat, wind, or rain
- After a big meal at the turn
- Driving to and from the course
- All day without thinking about them
The pants that don’t leave marks on your stomach when you take them off.
The ones you wish you had in every color.
That’s the holy grail.
Apparel Might Be the Gateway to Golf
Perhaps the most surprising insight?
Lauren loves that many women buy golf apparel without even playing golf.
Because the clothes are that good.
And sometimes, that’s what gets them curious enough to pick up the game.
“Buy the clothes first. Golf can catch up later.”
In other words:
Great apparel isn’t just following the growth of women’s golf.
It might actually be helping lead it.
From Course to Closet: What Lauren Thompson Says About the New Era of Women’s Golf Fashion
When Melanie Friedman, founder of Crossover Golf, sat down with longtime Golf Channel host Lauren Thompson, the conversation quickly turned into something bigger than clothes.
It became a snapshot of a shift happening across the entire women’s golf world.
Not just in how women dress on the course, but how they feel, how they express themselves, and how golf apparel is finally catching up to the way women actually live.
Here’s what Lauren, who has been covering professional golf since 2009, has seen change and where she thinks women’s golf fashion is headed next.
The “Shrink It and Pink It” Era Is Finally Over
Lauren remembers walking into golf stores early in her career and seeing a familiar, frustrating layout:
Finding something stylish, functional, and flattering to wear on the course felt nearly impossible.
Fast forward to today, and she calls the change a “huge leap.”
Modern women’s golf apparel is:
And most importantly — it’s designed with the understanding that women don’t want to feel like an afterthought in pro shops anymore.
Personal Style Is Finally Showing Up on the Course
Lauren loves watching how LPGA players now use fashion as an extension of their personality.
From bold prints to sleeves for sun protection, to socks, hats, and accessories — you’re seeing individuality come through in ways that simply didn’t exist before.
That trickles down to everyday golfers too.
Fashion on the course is becoming less about “what you’re supposed to wear” and more about how you want to show up.
The Rise of Golf Clothes You Don’t Have to Change Out Of
One of Lauren’s biggest observations came backstage while hosting the PGA Show fashion show.
Watching models change between outfits, she realized something important:
These pieces weren’t just for golf.
They mixed and matched with everyday clothes. They were comfortable enough to travel in. Stylish enough to wear to lunch. Flexible enough to wear all day.
That’s when it clicked:
Women don’t want golf clothes.
They want great clothes they can golf in.
The ability to play 18 holes, swap shoes, and go straight to a meeting or dinner without changing? That’s where brands are finally getting it right.
Why Jenna Sims Koepka Is a Golf Fashion Inspiration
Lauren points to Jenna Sims Koepka as one of the most fun and influential golf fashion follows right now.
Her “Get Ready With Me” tournament videos show outfits that feel bold, playful, and sometimes outside the box. And often, Lauren admits, she’ll think:
“I would never wear that…”
Until she sees Jenna walking the course in it — and suddenly it works.
It’s a reminder that trying something outside your comfort zone can lead to discovering a whole new version of your style.
A Retro Revival Might Be Next
Lauren has a love for 30s, 40s, and 50s fashion (she even took swing dancing lessons in high school), and she’d love to see women’s golf lean into more classic, heritage-inspired style.
Think:
Especially at iconic venues like Old Course at St Andrews, she believes style that nods to tradition feels just right.
Trends She Loves (and One She’d Like Gone Forever)
Loving right now:
Ready to retire:
As Lauren puts it:
“If you’re adjusting your clothes after every shot, that’s bad design.”
The One Piece Every Woman Needs
Lauren doesn’t hesitate here.
A perfectly fitting pair of golf pants.
The kind you can wear:
The pants that don’t leave marks on your stomach when you take them off.
The ones you wish you had in every color.
That’s the holy grail.
Apparel Might Be the Gateway to Golf
Perhaps the most surprising insight?
Lauren loves that many women buy golf apparel without even playing golf.
Because the clothes are that good.
And sometimes, that’s what gets them curious enough to pick up the game.
“Buy the clothes first. Golf can catch up later.”
In other words:
Great apparel isn’t just following the growth of women’s golf.
It might actually be helping lead it.