"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing"

Dave Barry uses humor and satire to comment on the evolution of golf as a social activity. He begins by referencing golf’s historical roots, poking fun at the stereotype that it was once the exclusive pastime of affluent, not particularly athletic Protestant men. The depiction of them as “overweight” and “wealthy” not only lampoons outdated social hierarchies but also highlights the exclusivity that used to permeate the golf world, where club memberships often relied on both financial resources and social connections.

Barry then shifts to the present, suggesting that golf has ostensibly become more democratic and widely accessible. Yet, instead of lauding this openness, he humorously subverts it: now the only apparent requirement to participate is possessing “hideous clothing.” This facetious observation plays on the notorious reputation of golf attire, loud, clashing colors, patterned pants, and peculiar hats, which have become almost a cultural symbol of the sport.

The underlying implication is that while the barriers to entry have shifted from social and economic ones to something as trivial as fashion, the sport still retains its distinctiveness. Barry’s tone suggests that golf’s culture continues to march to its own drum, but what set participants apart in the past no longer applies; now, it’s more about a playful camaraderie that recognizes and even celebrates eccentricity.

His use of exaggeration, implying that all one needs is “hideous clothing”, shows the absurdity of societal shifts, and pokes fun at how even as golf opens up, it maintains unique quirks. At the same time, the comment works on another level: golf, once a marker of status, now permits anyone in, as long as they're willing to embrace its odd uniform. Through self-aware mockery, Barry encourages readers to view traditional sports cultures as evolving, sometimes in ways that are more lighthearted than serious.