Why do professional golfers touch their hats to acknowledge applause?

Answer by  mangosteen (272)

I think it is just a really short version of taking off your hat to show appreciation. Since professional golfers play so many holes, it would entail a significant amount of hat-removing... so they just shortened it with a hat touch.

Answer by  GinaD (400)

Long ago, when well dressed men wore hats, they would tip them to ladies and acquaintances they passed on the street. It was an acknowledgment and a salute of sorts.

Answer by  Cubberley (69)

It seems that touching-the-hat derived from the more sincere hat removal. Men typically remove their hats as a sign of respect (ie. when national anthem is sung), so touching-the-hat is just a short version of this.

Answer by  debmalewski (1085)

It's merely a short cut from "doffing" their hat--when a person lifts the hat up off their head to acknowledge the recognition they have received. Rather than taking the whole hat off, they touch their hand to their hat to show the intention rather than making the actual removal of the hat.