When the subject of style comes up in golf, the direction is almost always towards fashion. Sepia toned photographs from the late 19th century, with gentlemen in tweed jackets and ladies in hats and ankle length skirts – all looking very Victorian and uncomfortable. Dapper mid-century professionals sporting two toned shoes and cashmere sweaters. Those crazy plaid and wild patterned Sansabelt pants of the 1970’s. Loose fitting early Tiger and Phil era, with baseball hats slowly supplanting both the golf visor and full brimmed hat as go-to head ware. Queue up today for endless cycles of retro fashion, a bit of the modern mixing with the old. And don’t sleep on the occasional new entry – jogger pants, anyone?

But true style transcends clothing and accessories – speaking more to the spirit of the action than merely the look of it all. While I concede that there isn’t an obvious connection, I draw a lot of inspiration from the world of climbing – and particularly when it comes to questions of style – from those who go big, literally.

Alpine Style refers to the fashion of alpine climbing to be in small lightly-equipped teams who carry all of their own equipment (e.g. no porters), and do all of the climbing (e.g. no sherpas or reserve teams).

~ Wikipedia

Walking the course, keeping a brisk pace without hurrying, traveling light … not dropping any trash – including the absent-minded-broken-tee-toss to the other end of the tee box, repairing your divots and pitch marks … this is all part and parcel of style. I especially tune into this ethos on days when I carry a half bag and play 9 holes. Like some kind of golfing monk, I’ll psych myself up by stringing a few words together into a mantra of sorts – strong, light, alpine … strong, light, alpine … strong, light, alpine. Lets go!

One of these days, if I’m lucky, I’ll take this mindset to a place where the surrounding terrain actually reflects the origins of the terminology. Alpine style in an alpine setting. Maybe somewhere like Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Or in my wilder dreams, Jack’s Point, with the Remarkables as the course backdrop.