It was a beautiful warm Sydney summer day yesterday. Father in law and I headed out ot play some golf. This is one of the reasons I love returning for visits to Australia - there are numerous good courses, easily accessable and cheap(ish) to play. So we rock up to the course. And I'm promptly told my shorts are not "correct". These were tailored shorts, with a belt and white socks. But because the shorts had some buttons on the outside they were deemed cargo pants and contrary to the dress code.

So what gives? What is it about golf that there are these absurd etiquette and dress codes? White socks. That meant one of our playing partners needed new socks, because his white socks had a thin blue stripe at the top. How does a thin blue stripe on someone's sock stop you from enjoying your golf game? How does having tailored shorts, with no studs, exterior buttons and no exterior pockets alter your swing? Of course it is all a rort. It is a way for golf pro shops to force you into buying over-priced sports gear from them if you want to play golf. You're not going to turn around and not play because of a pair of shorts. But it's a flippin' ridiculous rip-off rort.

I played well just in spite of them.