The European Club Dress Code and Etiquette
The European Club is one of Ireland's most welcoming great links, relaxed about ceremony but clear about the essentials. The rule is simply proper golf attire: a collared shirt, tailored trousers or shorts, soft spikes, and no jeans or T-shirts. Here is exactly what to wear, the etiquette, and what to know about playing Pat Ruddy's 20 hole masterpiece at Brittas Bay.
Photo: The European Club via Google, by John Twomey.
The short answer
The European Club is refreshingly unstuffy, but it still asks visitors to dress as golfers. The standard is proper golf attire: a collared golf shirt, tailored trousers or tailored shorts, and golf shoes with soft spikes. Jeans, T-shirts and athletic or beach style clothing are not appropriate on the links. There is none of the jacket and tie clubhouse ceremony of the older grand clubs here, because the whole place is built around the golf rather than the formalities, but turning up in proper golf clothing is expected and easy.
That informality is by design. Pat Ruddy designed, built and owns the links, and his philosophy is golf for golf's sake: a warm welcome, the focus on the course, and famously 20 holes rather than 18, with two extra short holes numbered 7a and 12a on the scorecard. Visitors are welcome almost every day of the year, closing only for a few days at Christmas. Everything below was checked in June 2026 against The European Club information and is indicative, so always confirm the current dress code and access arrangements directly before you travel.
The European Club dress code, item by item
This is the on course standard for the links. Pack to it and you will be set for all 20 holes.
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Shirts | Collared golf shirt or recognized golf attire. No T-shirts or singlets on the course |
| Trousers and shorts | Tailored golf trousers or tailored shorts. No jeans, cargo or athletic styles |
| Footwear | Golf shoes with soft spikes, or spikeless golf shoes |
| The ethos | Relaxed and golf focused; proper attire expected but no clubhouse jacket and tie formality |
| Weather | Exposed Brittas Bay coast; a waterproof and a layer are wise in any season |
Dress code verified in June 2026 from The European Club information and is indicative. Policies can change, so always confirm the current arrangements directly before booking. Check European Club tee time availability.
What to wear, and what to leave at home
The reliable European Club outfit is a golf polo, tailored trousers or shorts, soft spike shoes and a windproof waterproof layer, because the links runs along an open stretch of the Wicklow coast at Brittas Bay where the Irish Sea wind can stiffen quickly. In summer tailored shorts with a collared shirt are entirely fine, but keep a layer in the bag whatever the forecast. Proper waterproofs earn their place here; a jacket and trousers that genuinely keep the rain out turn a wet round on the dunes into a playable one, and the weather can change fast on this coast.
What looks out of place is the usual short list: jeans, a T-shirt or singlet, gym or athletic wear, and trainers instead of golf shoes. Leave those for the drive and pack golf specific clothing for the round. Because the club is relaxed about clubhouse formality, you do not need to plan a separate smart wardrobe for the evening, but you should still arrive dressed as a golfer. The simplicity is part of the appeal: come to play, dressed to play, and you will fit right in.
Etiquette and the round
The European Club is a Pat Ruddy links that opened in 1993, a par 71 that stretches toward 7,355 yards from the back tees through towering dunes, with those two bonus short holes taking the round to 20. It is a serious test that rewards good ball striking and respect for the wind, and the etiquette here is the universal links etiquette done without fuss. Ruddy himself has long been a presence around the place, and the welcome is genuine, which makes good manners on the course an easy way to repay it.
Pace of play
Keep up with the group ahead, be ready to play when it is your turn, and limit a ball search in the marram so you do not hold up the tee sheet. Ready golf keeps a long, rewarding round moving.
Care for the course
Repair pitch marks on the greens, replace divots or use the sand provided, rake the bunkers, and keep trolleys away from greens and tees. On a links this carefully made and personally tended, the care shows.
The bigger trip
For how the holes actually play, see our guide on how to play The European Club and the full European Club course profile, then browse the best links courses in Ireland to build a Wicklow and east coast trip.
Plan a Wicklow golf trip
We know the dress rules, the booking windows and how to slot The European Club into a wider east coast or all Ireland links trip. Tell us roughly when and how many are traveling, and we will secure the tee times and build an itinerary that matches the rounds to the budget, with no obligation.
The European Club dress code questions
What is the dress code at The European Club?
The European Club asks simply for proper golf attire: a collared golf shirt with tailored trousers or tailored shorts, and golf shoes with soft spikes. Jeans, T-shirts and athletic or beach wear are not appropriate on the links. The club is famously relaxed and golf focused rather than fussy about clubhouse formality, but it still expects visitors to turn up dressed as golfers. Always confirm the current policy directly with The European Club before you travel.
Is The European Club strict about dress and etiquette?
Less formally than the grand old clubs, but the standards still matter. Pat Ruddy built and owns the links, and the ethos is golf for golf's sake, welcoming and unstuffy, with the focus firmly on the course rather than clubhouse ceremony. Proper golf attire and good on course etiquette are expected, and the warmth of the welcome is part of the experience. Always confirm the current arrangements directly before booking.
Can visitors play The European Club?
Yes. The European Club is a privately owned links that welcomes visitors almost every day of the year, closing only for a few days at Christmas. Tee times should be booked in advance, especially in the summer season. The course famously has 20 holes, with two extra short holes numbered 7a and 12a on the scorecard, so you get more golf than the usual 18. Always confirm access and tee times directly before booking.
Can you wear shorts at The European Club?
Yes. Tailored golf shorts worn with a collared shirt are acceptable on the links. The shorts should be tailored rather than cargo, athletic or denim styles. The course runs along an exposed stretch of coast at Brittas Bay, so the Irish Sea wind can be brisk even in summer, and many players carry a waterproof and a layer regardless of the forecast. Always confirm the current dress policy directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Dress code and access information verified from The European Club information in June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.