Golf tournament gala dinners

A gala after a golf tournament brings a difficulty ordinary parties do not. You start the day out on a sunny course and a few hours later must appear at the dinner table in clean formal wear. You solve that by preparing, not by luck. Pack a complete evening outfit, take it to the club in the morning, and follow a tidy routine for changing.

Leave your evening clothes at the club

Most golf clubs have a locker room with lockers, showers and a rest area. Ask the organisers beforehand about these facilities, because some venues hold clothes for tournament players and others only have small lockers.

Pack the evening outfit in a garment bag rather than stuffing it into the golf bag. A garment bag keeps the jacket from folding or creasing and can be hung in a locker or on a hook in the changing room. Hand it to the club staff as soon as you arrive. Do not leave it in the car: a car parked in the sun gets very hot, which can crease the cloth and spoil the shape of the jacket.

What to bring:

• Tuxedo or suit jacket, trousers, and a waistcoat or cummerbund.
• A clean shirt, and a spare one.
• Bow tie or tie, cufflinks and pocket square.
• Evening shoes in a separate bag, and clean socks.
• A belt or braces, if the outfit needs them.
• A small grooming kit: comb, towel, light cologne, antiperspirant.

A longer list is in the checklist before putting on a tuxedo.

Shower, rest and change in a short window

After the last hole, the gap before dinner is often only enough for a tidy changeover. A sensible order:

1. Take a warm shower and dry completely, especially back and neck, because leftover moisture makes the shirt cling the moment you put it on.
2. Rest for a few minutes so your heart rate and sweating settle before the shirt goes on. Dress while still hot and a white shirt will be wet across the back at once.
3. Dress in order: shirt, trousers, shoes, waistcoat or cummerbund, bow tie, and the jacket last.
4. Check the mirror, smooth the hair, apply a little cologne.

Estimate the time for each stage, and if the tournament runs late, tell the organisers so they can arrange a place to rest. In a crowded shared locker room it also helps to bring a hanger and a plastic bag for damp clothes.

The dress codes you are likely to meet

A post-golf gala is seldom strictly black tie. The common levels:

• Smart casual or business casual. Trousers, shirt, blazer, no tie. This is typical at friendly tournaments.
• Cocktail or dark suit. A navy or charcoal suit, shirt, with or without a tie.
• Black tie. Met at large galas, end-of-season prize dinners or charity events. Then you need the full tuxedo, bow tie and patent shoes.

The invitation or tournament notice usually says. If not, ask. If you must come straight from the course and are unsure, carry two options: a blazer or dark suit, and if black tie is possible, the tuxedo as well. The article on what to wear to a gala dinner discusses how to read the requirement.

Carrying accessories safely

Small accessories get lost on a busy day. A few ways to keep them tidy:

• Keep cufflinks, studs and pins in a small box or cloth pouch, tucked into the inside pocket of the garment bag.
• Lay the bow tie flat in a pocket, not under other clothing.
• Put evening shoes in a shoe bag, away from golf shoes with grass and mud.
• Take off the sports watch when you change, and put on the dress watch last.
• Roll the pocket square into a small pocket and fold it just before entering the dinner.

Tips for packing without creases are in packing a tuxedo into a suitcase, and they apply to the garment bag on a long drive to the course too.

Choose an outfit that suits a long day

Because the outfit will travel all day before you wear it, choose a cloth that resists creasing, such as a tightly woven wool. A black three-piece like TUX-072 lets you decide on the waistcoat according to the weather, while a simple one-button tuxedo like TUX-040 packs more easily. A breathable wool for hot, humid weather is sensible for both.

A word from the Mon Amie workshop

If you play in tournaments that end with a gala, ask the consultant about creasing-resistant cloths and how to pack. You can book a fitting at the showroom and ask about a garment bag suited to long trips.