Silence&Motion
Senior Member
A bit of an obscure topic, but wanted to get views from the UT community.
This weekend I was almost turned away from the City-owned Dentonia Park golf course (next to Victoria Park Station) because I wasn't wearing a collared shirt (I managed to borrow one from a friend before they allowed me to play). I chose Dentonia Park specifically because I'm a first time golfer who is turned off by any hint of elitism. I figured the city's unprofitable, cheapest course, would allow me to play in peace without overburdening me with arbitrary rules.
There is no dress code listed on the City of Toronto's list of golf rules and etiquette, which I checked specifically before I left for the course. In fact, I don't even own a golf shirt anyway.
My question to you is whether Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation has any right to restrict people from using public facilities based on the way they are dressed. I think most people would agree that the City has the right to impose some basic dress code on City property (e.g. I'm assuming you can't go shirtless into the council chambers visitor gallery). But at what point do dress codes become unjustifiable and serve as a form of exclusion?
In my view there is no legitimate reason to require people to wear collared shirts or "hemmed shorts/pants" on a golf course or any other Parks and Rec facility. It seems to me that these are arbitrary rules rooted in golf's traditional culture of exclusivity, and designed to exclude people who lack sufficient background knowledge (see cultural capital). This would probably explain why dress codes are enforced at the course but not formally included on the City's list of rules.
Anyway, just something I needed to rant about! But I'd be interesting in knowing whether I'm the only one that finds these dress codes completely inappropriate for what is essentially public space.
This weekend I was almost turned away from the City-owned Dentonia Park golf course (next to Victoria Park Station) because I wasn't wearing a collared shirt (I managed to borrow one from a friend before they allowed me to play). I chose Dentonia Park specifically because I'm a first time golfer who is turned off by any hint of elitism. I figured the city's unprofitable, cheapest course, would allow me to play in peace without overburdening me with arbitrary rules.
There is no dress code listed on the City of Toronto's list of golf rules and etiquette, which I checked specifically before I left for the course. In fact, I don't even own a golf shirt anyway.
My question to you is whether Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation has any right to restrict people from using public facilities based on the way they are dressed. I think most people would agree that the City has the right to impose some basic dress code on City property (e.g. I'm assuming you can't go shirtless into the council chambers visitor gallery). But at what point do dress codes become unjustifiable and serve as a form of exclusion?
In my view there is no legitimate reason to require people to wear collared shirts or "hemmed shorts/pants" on a golf course or any other Parks and Rec facility. It seems to me that these are arbitrary rules rooted in golf's traditional culture of exclusivity, and designed to exclude people who lack sufficient background knowledge (see cultural capital). This would probably explain why dress codes are enforced at the course but not formally included on the City's list of rules.
Anyway, just something I needed to rant about! But I'd be interesting in knowing whether I'm the only one that finds these dress codes completely inappropriate for what is essentially public space.
Invest in some well-fitting, stylish polo shirts. Solid pastel colours are great for the summer.