MR PORTER’s guide to the best clothing for playing golf.

There have been many style mistakes in the history of golf – for some, the outré fashions worn by players such as Messrs Ian Poulter and John Daly in recent years (multicoloured pastels, novelty trousers) will have been too keenly felt to easily forget. However, of course, there is a way to do golfing attire right – something the late Mr Arnold Palmer knew very well. In fact, at best, it’s a winningly sartorial sport, its clothing suffused with a leisurely athleticism that’s as enviably breezy as it is pristinely stylish. So, if the looming spectacle of the 2016 Ryder Cup has got you in the mood and you’re heading to the greens yourself, here’s how to lower your style handicap, courtesy of MR PORTER:

So, you thought Unobtanium® was a fictional substance, fiercely guarded by blue CGI giants in Mr James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster Avatar. But actually, it turns out, it’s also the name sporting eyewear brand Oakley gives to the material it uses along the arms and nose pads of its golfing glasses – a substance that becomes slightly sticky to the touch when moist, absorbing any perspiration to increase grip and comfort for the wearer. What further recommendation can we add to convince you that the above glasses are absolutely obligatory when it comes to golfing? Not only are they straight out of science fiction, their polarised lenses will reduce glare in the sun when you’re measuring up your shot. In fact, in combination with the Leica Pinmaster II Rangefinder, which uses laser sighting to measure the distance between holes, you should be able to become a bona fide golfing machine. (Getting the ball in the hole is always among the most stylish things you can do on the golf course, after all.)

When it comes to golfing apparel, we at MR PORTER are of the opinion that simple is best. You want to look like a slightly sportier version of an Ivy League student, and for these purposes, these sand-coloured trousers from Kjus Golf provide the perfect solution down below. Though they look like chinos, they’re actually made of a shell fabric, which is both water-resistant in case of wet weather and crease-resistant to keep you looking sharp. Pair them with a polo shirt from Nike Golf, made in the brand’s trademark Dri-Fit fabric, which will help you to keep cool as you whack another ball into the sand trap.

Mr Karl Toosbuy, the founder of comfort-focused shoe company Ecco, developed his line of specialist golf shoes based scans from more than 2,500 pairs of athletes’ feet. Which means that you should take it as read that the below cleats, rendered in the brand’s sturdy yak leather, are a pair of assiduously researched shoes. What’s more, they’re water-resistant, light, breathable, come in a pleasingly minimal colour palette and have a futuristic, dare we say Ms Zaha Hadid-style form to them that will make you look like the bright new hope of the golfing world. At the other extreme of your body, we advise wearing a cap, to shield your eyes against the sun and keep your face from burning. There are plenty of more technical options on offer but, at the end of the day, a cap is a cap, so why not treat yourself and go for Loro Piana’s superlative take on the look in a light grey cashmere?