Two belts built to keep your trousers in place through the swing
Local Rules' belt range consists of two models, both sewn to stay put during movement: the Leather Belt - Black in smooth black leather and the Braided Belt - Brown in braided brown leather. The difference between them is less about golf function and more about expression. The smooth black leather is the neutral choice that blends into the outfit and works equally well with dark and light trousers. The brown braided belt has a softer, more relaxed feel and provides a clearer detail against beige and olive trousers. A braided leather belt also has a practical feature: because the buckle can be hooked in anywhere between the braids, not just in fixed holes, you get fine adjustment that an ordinary hole belt doesn't offer. That matters on the course, where your midsection moves to different degrees depending on whether you're addressing the ball or walking between holes.
How to measure the right belt size
The most common misconception is that belt size is the same as trouser size. That's not true. A belt's size is usually given in the length or waist measurement it is made for, and the safest way to get it right is to measure a belt you already have and like. Lay it flat, measure from where the leather strap meets the buckle to the hole you actually use, and compare with the measurement given on the belt you want to buy. If you instead take a new measurement around your waist, measure over your trousers where the belt will sit, not against bare skin. A common rule of thumb is to add roughly five to eight centimetres to your measured waist size, so that you land in the middle of the hole row and have room to adjust in both directions. If you end up at the outer edge, in either the first or last hole, the belt is the wrong size.
Leather belt or elastic stretch belt
The two most common types of golf belts are leather belts and elastic stretch belts, and they solve different things. An elastic belt gives when you bend and twist in the swing, which many find more comfortable precisely during movement, but the material is often woven synthetic and has a more sporty look. A leather belt doesn't stretch in the same way but provides a firmer, more classic hold and ages beautifully. Local Rules has chosen leather for both of its models, and comfort then comes instead from fit and from letting the belt sit where the waistband naturally wants to be, not fastened so tightly that it pinches when you rise into address. Braided leather like in the Braided Belt - Brown moves slightly more than smooth leather and is a middle ground for those who want the feel of leather but a bit more flexibility.
Matching the belt with the rest of your golf wardrobe
The old style rule about matching the belt with your shoes is a good starting point on the course too, but the most important thing is that the belt doesn't clash with the trousers. A black belt is the most versatile and sits cleanly with black, grey and navy trousers alike. If you want to buy a pair to choose between, it's worth looking at the selection of trousers & shorts and thinking through which colours you actually play in. If you mostly play in light and earthy tones, like beige and olive, a brown belt lifts the outfit more than a black one. One point of the leather belts is that they work just as well off the course, with chinos and jeans for everyday wear, which makes them a purchase you'll use far more often than just during a round of golf. If you want to build out the rest of the look, there are polo shirts and accessories in the same style.
Why a belt in genuine leather lasts longer
The buckle and the quality of the leather determine how long a belt holds up for frequent play. Genuine leather can withstand being bent and fastened daily over many seasons, while glued split-leather or synthetic-leather belts tend to crack at the fold after a while. Take care of the belt by letting it rest between rounds instead of always using the same one, and wipe it off if it has become wet. A wet leather belt should dry at room temperature, never on a radiator, because rapid drying makes the leather stiff and brittle. Storing it hanging or loosely rolled keeps its shape better than if it lies tightly folded.
