Hello. My name is Kristen. And I’m a golfaholic.

Everybody told me when I started that I’d become hooked. But this is bad. Really bad. Because as a beginning golfer, I have no equipment to speak of, and tank tops and workout shorts don’t exactly cut it as “golf attire” at most courses. So I’ve added a golf addiction to my existing shopping condition. ShopGuy may need to join GolfAnon.

He aided and abetted me last week, however, as I navigated the picked-over golf clothes selection at T.J. Maxx ‘n More. I held up one top after another, and he shook his head, quietly murmuring “that’s awful” every once in a while. A lemon yellow Nike Golf T in dri-weave made the cut, as did a black sweater by Tail and a black V-neck by Polo Sport. Too bad I couldn’t have planned on this earlier in the season, when I saw all those cute Polo Golf capris and matching sleeveless tops. But she who hesitates has lost – in this case, her mind.

As I made my way through the cable-knit vests, peach-and-seafoam-green-striped shirts and enormous polos, I thought, “Tiger wouldn’t be caught dead in any of this.”

But he wouldn’t have to be. You see, men’s golf clothes look a lot like men’s street clothes. Casual. Cool. Khaki. Black. Maroon.

Women’s golf clothes are all over the board, from the bad (the aforementioned peach and seafoam combo) to the understatedly hip, which often involves a bit of creativity. Most of the women I’ve encountered on the course look perfectly fine – sporty and elegant, even. Which leads me to believe they know something I don’t. Something that probably involves spending more money than my golf budget allows.

My game isn’t good enough to justify a trip to the pro shop, where I could buy something a little more upscale. And besides, most of the stuff designated as golf wear is, to borrow a phrase from last month’s Vogue, a bit too “matchy-match” for my taste. I prefer to piece together a few classic pieces, simple shirts and shorts or capris.

Classic was what I wanted as I set off in search of golf shoes last weekend. I figured I’d have to pay full price for the shoes, or at least hit the end-of-season sales. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled over (quite literally) a pair of leather, saddle-style Reebok spikes at Marden’s for $12.99. There were plenty left in many sizes and several styles, including a sneakerlike model for the same price. I picked up a spike tightener for 99 cents, too. (While you’re there, check out the recent shipment of dress pants from The Limited, khakis from The Gap, and gingham-check tops from Old Navy).

There were left-handed chipping wedges for $14.99, and left-handed junior golf gloves, though I didn’t catch the price. I didn’t have to. I’m a righty. There are a few drivers, as well, but I already have one. What I needed was a five wood.

So off I went to Play it Again Sports, where I found a set of Ping woods for $149.99. Nice, but perhaps too nice for a beginner. There was a full set of Callaway women’s clubs, bag included, for about $650. Maybe when I join the LPGA tour. A colleague suggested XL Golf on Outer Hammond Street, and I was about to check it out when my neighbor made an announcement. He just bought a new five wood. Could I use the old one?

Of course. And with the money I saved, I may just invest in a lesson or two. Because the right outfit don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing.

ShopNotes

I have a few addenda to my column of two weeks ago. The Satchels of Hope that I mentioned in the beach bag section are also available at The Store/Ampersand on Mill Street in Orono. Also, since my last column, I have found aqua socks at Miller’s Discount in Brewer, Marden’s in Brewer, and Ames in Orono, all for under $5.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

I am desperately seeking a sweat shirt with raglan sleeves and no bosomly advertising. Can you help?

– M. Stehl, Jonesport

Dear M.,

I apologize for taking so long to answer your question, but it took me ages to find what you were looking for. There are raglan sweat shirts with bosomly advertising. And regular sweat shirts without. But the combination is rare.

I did, however, find what you were looking for at Miller’s Discount in Brewer. There was a selection of zipper-front raglan sweats by DKNY in the $20 range, as well as several without zippers by Nike, though these did have the “swoosh” embroidered near the neck.

Marden’s just got in a shipment of raglan tops by Eddie Bauer in muted earth tones. No advertising, though they may not be thick enough to constitute a sweat shirt.

And T.J. Maxx ‘n More in Bangor had a ton of raglan sweat shirts. But instead of advertising, they had college names embroidered on the chest in small type.

I checked all of the athletic stores in the area, to no avail, though something may have come in since. I hope this helps.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you. Send questions, comments and suggestions by mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.