The Great Jogger Debate: A Definitive Statement

If you have been on social media over the last week or so, you know that the Great Jogger Debate has once again been ignited.

Frankly, I’m surprised joggers are still a controversial topic. A quick peek in the GolfThreads archives shows that Rickie Fowler first lit the flames four years ago (really, where has the time gone) when he showed up for the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua in a pair of joggers and high-tops from Puma. Shortly thereafter, Adam Scott donned a pair at Riviera and Rory McIlroy paired them with fresh Nike Air Max 90 kicks at The Players Championship. Both crashed and burned in fantastic fashion. We never saw either player wear them again.

A quick scroll through Getty Images also shows that Rickie last wore joggers in July 2017 during the third round of the Quicken Loans National. The embers were still smoldering and rekindled by Sam Ryder in Las Vegas in November of 2018. Ryder fired a scorching final round 62, vaulting him into a third-place finish while rockin’ a pair of black Greyson Montauk Joggers.

It was another Greyson brand ambassador, Erik van Rooyen, who stoked the flames at last summer’s Open Championship. Van Rooyen wound up golf traditionalists and mainstream media by sporting the Montauk Joggers while in contention for the Claret Jug over the four days. EVR can also be credited with sparking the latest debate on the topic. He again went the jogger route at the WGC-Mexico Championship while battling for the title a couple of weeks ago.

Since then, the Great Jogger Debate has once again been lit. There is no shortage of opinions on joggers, but there is also no grey area. You are either in, or you are out. What is interesting, though, is how attitudes towards joggers have changed over the past four years. When Rickie showed up in Hawaii, joggers seemed to be a hard ‘no’ from 95% of the golf world. Perusing social media this week, it is more like 50/50.

I think a big part of this shift has to do with Greyson’s take on joggers and how well its brand ambassadors wear them. Greyson excels at creating interesting juxtapositions of styles and the Montauk Jogger is an example of this. The brand describes the Montauk Jogger on its website as being “built for function and speed but designed to be worn as a dress jogger. The Montauk Jogger is the pure example of a sport/dress hybrid jogger.” There you go. Sporty, yet dressy. It’s progressive, yet maintains a high level of sophistication. This allows it to easily transition from the course to the street and wherever your day may take you.

With all the controversy, it seems only right for GolfThreads to make a definitive stand on these first-world problems. I feel certain that I speak for the entire GolfThreads crew in saying that we are all in on joggers. Yes, that’s right. ALL IN.

Now clearly, it can’t be that simple and surely you have questions, so let’s dive into some those.

So, will joggers kill the game of golf?

Are you serious??? “Joggers will kill the game,” is a statement that always cracks me up. If you think some technical trousers with elastic cuffs are going to destroy the game, you need to reassess the golf landscape in 2020.

I remember when J.Lindeberg brought slim-fitting pants to the fairways 15 years ago. Some said skinny pants would kill the game and no proper club would allow members to wear anything that slim. Go back and take a look at pictures of Camilo Villegas and Aaron Baddeley back in the day. Those JL pants don’t seem very slim compared to today. Dare I say, they look a bit baggy.

Besides, there was probably some crazy kid 100 years ago that said, “I’m not going to try to swing a club in this uncomfortable wool coat and tie.” He was probably told he was destroying the game, but somehow it has survived.

Should I wear joggers?

Not necessarily. Not everyone can make them work. Just ask Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy. As van Rooyen said at the Open Championship last year, “If you’re going to wear it, you’ve got to own it. I feel like I’m owning it.” Joggers are a fashion-forward look and require a bit of swagger. The key is to feel comfortable and confident in what you are wearing. If you are on the fence, give them a try. The warmer spring conditions are the perfect time to let the ankles breathe.

Should I wear socks with joggers?

Yes. Always wear socks. When wearing joggers, opt for no-show or short ankle socks. If you are advanced in the area of golf fashion, experiment with crew-length socks that complement your joggers and shoes.

What type of shoes should I wear with joggers?

Sporty or modern takes on traditional styles will work best. The Nike Air Max 1 G is a great option. So are the trainer styles from Royal Albartross, such as the Driver, Club Croco, Cutler, and Forato. Of course, the ECCO Street that van Rooyen laces up is a strong option, as well as the MG4.1 and Disruptor from G/FORE. For more traditional looks, you can’t go wrong pairing them with G/FORE’s numerous Gallivanter styles.

What is the proper inseam for joggers?

I find it interesting that some people have commented that van Rooyen’s joggers were too short. To me, they are the perfect length, hitting about an inch above the ankle bone. Feel free to wear them a bit longer, but the cuffs shouldn’t hit the tops of your shoes. You don’t want them bunching or pooling around your ankles.

Am I too old to wear joggers?

Age has nothing to with it. It is all about attitude.

Which joggers are your favorites?

Obviously, we like the Greyson Montauk Joggers. For a little dressier look, check out Greyson’s Rumson Jogger. It has a tonal tuxedo stripe on the side seam and side tabs instead of belt loops.

If you aren’t ready to jump with both feet into the jogger movement, the G/FORE Ritual Jogger makes for a stylish gateway. Toggle pulls at the ankles allow for an adjustable fit. If you aren’t ready to commit to the full jogger look, loosen the toggles and the Ritual can be worn like a tapered pant.

We are always big fans of Lululemon’s ABC Pants. The ABC Jogger may be better left for the driving range or worn with an untucked shirt since it has an elastic waist with a drawstring.

Will my friends laugh at me?

Who cares. “Look good, feel good, play great,” is my motto. Take their money and have the last laugh.

Next up, we’ll tackle hoodies on the golf course.