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Country: gb Page generated at: Friday, 10 April 2026 at 18:12:04 British Summer Time
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News
‘These are gym socks, man!’ Hollywood A-Lister falls foul of golf club dress code

published: Mar 14, 2024

‘These are gym socks, man!’ Hollywood A-Lister falls foul of golf club dress code

Steve CarrollLink

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Ted star Mark Wahlberg found himself in a pickle after turning up to exclusive Sydney club Elanora wearing the wrong colour socks

Mark Wahlberg

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  • Is it time to change golf’s socks dress code?

There aren’t many places a Hollywood A-Lister can’t gain access. But Mark Wahlberg apparently found his entry to an exclusive Australian course very briefly blocked – after he fell foul of one of golf’s dress code rules.

The star of Ted, The Departed and The Fighter hit a roadblock when he turned up at the exclusive Elanora Country Club, in Sydney, wearing the wrong colour socks.

The Daily Telegraph down under reported the star arrived at the Northern Beaches establishment in black hosiery, which breached the club’s rules.

“We have dress standards,” general manager Cathy Neagle told the newspaper. “They do include white socks.”

Mark Wahlberg

Is it time to change golf’s socks dress code?

Wahlberg was supplied an acceptable pair, and was said to not mind changing, but did quip in an Instagram story: “See the socks? Not allowed on every golf course in Australia, believe it or not.

“Some courses require you to wear white socks. These are gym socks, man! What?”

On Elanora’s website, the men’s dress regulations state: “If long socks are worn they must be kept up at all times.

“Acceptable short socks will be plain white or plain white with a Golf Club logo and at least quarter length.”

Wahlberg is in Australia filming a movie and has been spotted playing courses across the country.

While the film star expressed surprise, there are plenty of clubs who still follow Elanora’s lead and clamp down on this most innocent of clothing items.

But the argument divides plenty. Some say clubs are well within their rights to enforce whatever dress codes they like.

Others deride what they see as petty regulations, which perpetuate the stuffy stereotype of golf and dissuades people from playing the sport.  

Now have your say

What do you make of this dress codes socks row for Mark Wahlberg golf? Is it another faux pas for golf, or should clubs be able to do what they like on their property? Let me know by leaving a comment on X.

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  • NOW READ: Can someone please explain golf’s problem with socks?
  • NOW READ: The three words that show golf might be moving on dress codes

About the author

Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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