Golf being a gentelmen's games for 100's of years has created a "this really is the way it is" sort of style. Having changes to popular dress codes is fine as long as it maintains the generally approved "Gentlemen's code" be it collared shirts, shirts tucked in, pants that have regulated hights, proper shoes...etc. Clubs that force this rule are entirely in their right. Banning this "rule" is like asking a woman to be allowed to be a member of Agusta, you open up the old school clan and that just ain't hapenning.