At Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, men should wear a collared golf polo with Bermuda length shorts or golf pants, plus soft spikes. Raven sits in the shadow of South Mountain on Baseline Road and it is one of the rare Valley courses with real tree cover, so it plays cooler and tighter than the desert layouts most visitors expect. Denim is not permitted.

Collared Shirt, Bermuda Shorts, No Denim

That is the posted dress code and it is the whole thing. There is no membership committee reading your outfit here, but the starter will turn away denim.

A Tom Polo covers it without any thought. Navy or white, either one is invisible in the best way.

If you want something with a little more shape to the collar, a Chris Blade Collar Polo passes here and holds its line better after four hours.

Tom Polo in white with navy golf pants, a men's collared outfit for a Phoenix round | PILLAR

Bermuda Length Is the Actual Rule

Bermuda length means roughly at or just above the knee. A Drew Short 7" lands exactly there on most guys and it moves through a full swing without creeping.

What gets stopped is basketball shorts, running shorts with a visible liner, and cargo pockets. None of that is a gray area.

Golf pants are worth it from mid December through February. Raven's tree cover keeps the morning cold hanging around longer than it does on open desert ground.

Drew Short 7 inch in navy, men's Bermuda length golf shorts | PILLAR

The Trees Change How the Course Plays

Raven is planted with mature pines and it is genuinely tree lined, which almost nothing else in Phoenix is. That means less wind, more shade, and a course that walks well.

Because it is walkable, a lot of people actually walk it. If you are carrying or pushing, prioritize a polo that breathes over one that just looks sharp.

The shade is a real advantage in shoulder season. It also means the course holds cool air in the morning, so the opening stretch is colder than the parking lot suggests.

The Morning Layer Question

An Alec Quarter Zip over the polo handles the first four or five holes on a winter morning and then goes in the bag.

Do not dress for the afternoon number. South Phoenix in January can start at 45 and finish at 72, and being cold through the front nine is a bad way to play.

One layer is enough. You do not need a vest and a jacket for a Valley round.

Summer Here Is Still Summer

Shade helps at the margins. It does not make a June afternoon at Raven playable. Go early or go twilight and let the trees do what they can.

A Liam Polo in a lighter shade is the summer answer. Light colors and a knit that actually moves air beat anything heavier, tree cover or not.

One Outfit for the Whole Round

Navy or white polo, seven inch short in a neutral, belt, hat, soft spikes. That is the Raven look and it does not need adjusting.

Keep it to two colors. One bottom in a neutral, one shirt with the color. Simple reads better than coordinated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dress code at Raven Golf Club in Phoenix? A collared shirt and Bermuda length shorts or golf pants, plus soft spikes. Denim is not permitted. It is a straightforward daily fee dress code and it is applied evenly.

What does Bermuda length mean for golf shorts? It means the hem lands at or just above the knee, which on most men is a seven to nine inch inseam. A seven inch short like the Drew Short hits that mark and still moves through a full swing without riding up.

Is Raven Golf Club a desert course? No, and that is what makes it unusual for Phoenix. Raven is planted with mature pines and plays as a tree lined parkland course rather than a desert target layout. It also walks well because of that.

What should men wear for an early winter tee time in south Phoenix? A collared polo with a quarter zip over it, golf pants instead of shorts, and a hat. Raven's tree cover holds morning cold longer than open desert ground does, so the opening holes run colder than you expect.

Can you wear a blade collar polo at Raven? Yes. A blade collar is still a collar, which is what the dress code requires. It also sits flatter and holds its shape better over a full round than a traditional ribbed collar does.

Ready to gear up?

Shop Now

Women's Blog Special

40% off, automatically applied at checkout

Shop Women's

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.