It's shirts optional at Kauai muni golf course Wailua in Hawaii

It doesn’t take long in Hawaii to realize the natives practice a care-free way of life. I don’t think “stress” is in the vernacular here.

And when it comes to their dress code, I’m their biggest fan. For instance, the TV reporters on the local stations here wear patterned floral Hawaiian shirts, not the standard, trustworthy suit and tie. As a former local news reporter, I’m extremely jealous. The number one reason I got out the business is because I couldn’t stand wearing a suit and tie five days a week (especially when I only had two suits - one of which that fit me).

In fact, I haven’t seen one suit or neck tie since I’ve been here, and we’ve visited some pretty swanky resorts like Princeville and Kauai Lagoons, where you’d generally expect everyone from the concierge to the receptionists to be dressed to the nines. But no, they’re in loose, colorful dress instead. I’m in envy.

But here’s the icing on the cake: On our group’s way from Puakea, a great sleeper course near Lihue (stay tuned to WorldGolf.com for a full review) to Princeville this afternoon, we drove by one of Hawaii’s most revered muni’s, Wailua.

And as we passed, there was one golfer in particular walking down the fairway, bag over his bare shoulder. Alas, he was shirtless.

Wailua is rated among one of Hawaii’s top muni’s and has several holes playing right along the coast. I wonder if their liberal dress code is a factor in the high marks. I can see their marketing strategy now: “Wailua: the ‘no farmer’s tan’ golf course". I’ve seen my share of questionable golf attire:tank tops, jean shorts, bare feet…but I’ve never seen anyone go shirtless.

It gets me to thinking…I think the continental U.S. should encourage shirtless golf - or at the very least bathing suit golf. Imagine how many more women would play golf if they could do so in a bikini. Where else could they get four hours of sun and some exercise to boot? Just think, if they all spend $10 for 15 minutes in a tanning bed, they wouldn’t think twice about spending $50 for four hours of sun. This could be the solution to the game’s growth issues in America.

Looking at my tan lines from two straight days of golf here in the Pacific sun, I’m considering showing up for golf at Princeville tomorrow in nothing but a Speedo…