Last year George W. Bush angered US war veterans when he said that he gave up golf to show solidarity with the troops in Iraq. His decision - taken, he said, after he was interrupted during a round to be told of the death of a UN official - struck some as inappropriate. Now that he has left the White House, I guess he'll be back on the course soon. But what will he be wearing?

There is a famous scene in Goldfinger where James Bond plays golf with Auric Goldfinger. Bond is in sleek black trousers, darkest brown V-neck over an open shirt, and a black hat with a brim. The villain looks like a cartoon character in brown plus-fours and matching flat cap, mustard cardigan, and shirt and tie. There's little doubt who we are supposed to back, and who we should aim to look like on the fairway.

I was reminded of this meeting when I came across the new Dunhill Links Golfwear collection the other day. The clothes appear in a series of shots that feature Jamie Redknapp, the former footballer and apparently a mean golfer (he has a handicap of eight), swinging away. Much of the gear is Bond-ish in its slim fit and muted colours - all navys and greys.

It also offers a technical performance aspect that will please the serious golfer - a short caban jacket is shower-proof, mesh-lined to help breathability, has a gusset feature on the shoulders to allow movement when swinging, and has tee-holders and a useful in-built keyring. There are also a load of knits to layer up.

Of course, in going for Redknapp as the face of the collection, Dunhill is acknowledging that the sport is acquiring a younger and more fashionable image to challenge the traditional idea of the golf club as a bastion of establishment values. It's true that with players such as our own Ian Poulter on the circuit - he of the Union Jack trousers at the Open at Royal Troon in 2004 - there is a new spirit afoot. Poulter has launched his own range of golf clothing, which, as you would expect, is pretty bright and colourful.

And this is where the Bond v Goldfinger debate blurs. Because, although the screen baddie's attire is a parody, 007's is, well, how shall we put it without sounding heretical? A bit dull? You see, golfwear allows men to enjoy a little flirtation with colours and patterns that they may otherwise feel a bit awkard wearing. The fashion collections that cater for the new golfer - labels such as J.Lindeberg, and Original Penguin - all seem to say that the fairway excuses a touch of exhibitionism. Even Dunhill's restrained take on the look features injections of colour such as citrus yellow and washed red, and some sporty stripes.

And this is not a bad thing. When I dug out my Ballantyne cashmere V-neck in blue Argyle-type diamonds at Christmas, I pulled it on a little self-consciously - my wardrobe is pretty conservative when it comes to colours and patterns. Result? I got a lot of positive comments. Maybe I'll try the Union Jack trousers next.