Taking your kid to the driving range or just watching them play their first few holes of golf is a real pleasure. The issue for parents is that working out what to wear can be a bit of a conundrum when you're trying to get them to abide by the golf course dress code. If you're asking what to wear golfing kids then the answer is actually quite simple. A breathable collared polo shirt, some comfortable khaki shorts or a stretchy athletic skirt and clean flat soled athletic shoes are all very good options for young beginners.
This guide is all about helping parents to find the right practical and affordable golf kit for their kids. It's all about how you go about choosing the right kit for a beginner, what the dress codes are at various courses and how you can make sure that whatever you get your kid is going to allow them to swing freely. The right kit will allow them to move about freely, feel at ease and just enjoy their first few rounds of golf without any of the usual distractions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Start with what you already: have in the way of clothes: You don't need to go out and buy an expensive golf outfit for your beginner's lessons. A clean school polo shirt, a pair of khaki shorts and a pair of clean flat soled athletic shoes is more than adequate for the first few lessons.
- Understand the golf dress code: On the driving range and for beginner lessons you're generally allowed to wear your normal comfortable athletic kit. On a traditional course and at junior tournaments you may be subject to a more formal dress code (collared shirt, belt, tucked in shirt etc).
- Choose comfortable, flexible fabrics: Soft cotton or cotton blends are quite suitable for light sessions or in cooler weather. For hot weather or for competition, moisture wicking fabrics (polyester spandex blends etc) are the way to go as they'll help the sweat dry.
- Check the fit: the shirt needs to be quite roomy around the shoulders and underarms so that your child can turn and swing around in it. It must not move at all in the swing and should remain in position.
What Should Kids Wear for Their First Golf Lesson?
Choosing what to wear golfing kids can feel confusing for parents preparing for their child's first golf lesson. However, young beginners don't need expensive or professional outfits to get started. Comfortable clothing that fits properly, allows easy movement, and suits the practice environment is usually enough. So, what should kids wear to learn golf while staying comfortable and confident? A breathable shirt, flexible shorts or pants, and supportive athletic shoes are great starting points.
Choosing Golf Shirts and Polos for Kids
A collared polo is a sensible choice for a kid learning golf. It's a neat outfit and is one of the standard things you're expected to have on at many courses. The parent can of course go for a classic polo or a more sporty mock neck depending on the course' requirements. A comfortable polo is also a very useful item in a child's golf kit as it's perfectly suited to both range lessons and actual golf.
Fabric is just as important as shirt style. You want soft, breathable fabric with a touch of stretch so the kids are comfortable when they're playing. It has to have a good amount of room in the shoulders, the neck and under the arms to allow for movement. Parents don't necessarily have to go out and spend a small fortune on a specialist golf shirt as a comfortable athletic shirt will quite easily comply with the course dress code.
Golf Shorts, Pants, Skirts, and Skorts
For the boys, khaki shorts or soft chinos are ideal. Look for the shorts or pants to have a flexible waistband so they can bend down, turn their hips and move about freely. Deep pockets are useful for carrying the practice balls and tees. The trousers need to fit properly, not too tight and not too long.
For girls the golf skorts with built in shorts or the Bermuda shorts are both good options. They're a neat, sporty look and allow the child to bend down to put the ball or to squat down to check their shot. The fabrics should be fairly stretchy and the length should be in line with the golf course dress code. That way they can move around freely and feel at ease with their clothing.
Golf Shoes vs. Regular Sneakers
Children don't need specialist golf shoes in their very first golf lessons. A pair of clean, well-fitting athletic shoes with flat rubber soles and good grip will be quite sufficient for the initial practice. Running shoes or tennis shoes will be fine for the kids to get their balance and move about at the driving range. Just don't go for shoes with slippery soles or soles that are too stiff as these will make it difficult for the kids to keep their balance when they're swinging.
As kids start to play golf more and more or are playing on wet grass, parents may well consider buying proper golf shoes. Spikeless golf shoes with rubber grips on the soles are better for stability when you're standing and turning in the swing. They're also much kinder to the course (particularly the putting greens). As always though, you need to check the course rules regarding footwear and only go and buy the shoes if your kid actually needs them for regular play.
Hats, Socks, and Sun Protection Essentials
Baseball caps and athletic socks are a simple but useful kit for kids learning golf out in the open. A lightweight, well-fitting cap with a dark underside to the brim will help reduce the glare for the kids when they're watching the ball. For socks, go with ankle socks, preferably cotton blends or a breathable synthetic blend, with a bit of extra cushioning in the heel. These little things will keep kids comfortable and reduce the risk of blisters if they're walking around for any length of time.
Protecting children from harmful UV rays is an essential part of preparing for a day on the golf course. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), parents should choose a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. For effective protection, apply sunscreen approximately 15 minutes before children head outdoors and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or excessive sweating. Along with preparing suitable golf attire and sun protection, parents can explore what is golf for kids to gain a better understanding of the sport and help their children get started with confidence.
Kids' Golf Dress Codes: What Can Children Wear at Different Golf Courses?
Understanding what to wear golfing kids also involves realising that the requirements can vary from golf course to golf course. Driving ranges are generally very relaxed in their requirements whereas a private club or a junior tournament may have a more traditional dress code in mind. A search for golf dress code kids guidelines will go some way to helping parents to understand the difference before they get to a new course. The simplest thing to do is just to check the rules of the particular facility in question.
Driving Ranges and First Golf Lessons
Outdoor driving ranges and beginner golf lessons are generally a very relaxed environment in which the kids can get comfortable and confident as they're learning the game. A lot of the junior golf programmes will actually be more concerned with the kids being able to move in their clothes than with them wearing any sort of professional golf attire. You can therefore quite easily start off with the kids in their normal athletic wear.
A simple crew neck athletic T-shirt, some comfortable shorts and clean sneakers will generally be fine at a driving range with a relaxed dress code. Kids don't need to tuck in their shirts or wear collared polo shirts (unless that's what the range specifically requires). As always, it's worth checking the range's dress code prior to the first lesson to ensure your child is appropriately dressed.
Public Golf Courses vs. Private Golf Clubs
Public courses will generally have quite a relaxed dress code but you're still expected to be smart and presentable. A collared polo with khaki shorts, golf pants or a golf skort is the usual outfit. It should be clean, well fitting and allow the kid to swing without it being in the way.
In contrast many private clubs have much more rigid, traditional dress codes. Kids may be required to wear collared or mock neck athletic shirts, tuck their shirts in, wear proper golf pants or shorts and have their caps facing forward. Some clubs will have rules about belts and footwear as well so it's worth checking the club's dress code before you bring the kids along.
Junior Golf Tournament Dress Code
Junior golf tournaments will invariably have a more stringent dress code than the adult game to ensure the young players are dressed appropriately and professionally. U.S. Kids Golf events follow specific dress code guidelines to ensure young players maintain a neat and appropriate appearance on the course. Participants are expected to wear suitable golf attire, keep their shirts tucked in, and position their caps with the brim facing forward. Casual T-shirts, denim jeans, athletic gym shorts, and excessively short shorts are not permitted under these regulations.
For the girls there are some dress code rules that are a bit more relaxed in terms of shirt styles and how they can be worn. U.S. Kids Golf for instance will allow girls to wear fitted athletic tops (no tucking required) as long as they are the correct length. Boys on the other hand are generally expected to have their shirts tucked in the whole of the round. Parents should take the time to read the tournament rules and the dress code of the host golf course very carefully to avoid any surprises.
What Kids Should Avoid Wearing
Denim jeans, baggy sweatpants and pajamas are all clothing items that kids should steer well clear of at golf courses that have a traditional dress code. Denim can be quite stiff and will restrict movement, whilst baggy sweatpants and pajamas are simply not the type of clothing you'd expect to see at a golf course. The sensible thing for parents to do is to opt for golf pants or some comfortable athletic pants that are in line with the course's dress code.
Metal spiked golf shoes are also generally not permitted at many courses (again this is down to the potential for damage to the grass, particularly on the putting greens). Slippers and flip flops are out too as they don't offer sufficient grip or foot protection when the kids are turning and swinging. If the course permits them then a pair of clean athletic shoes or golf shoes with rubber soles would be a far safer option.
How Should Junior Golf Clothing Fit?
Knowing what to wear golfing is only one part of the process of getting your kid into a comfortable outfit. You also have to make sure that each piece of clothing fits properly and allows for natural movement. Good fit in junior golf clothing involves checking the shoulders, arms, waist and overall length of each piece. A simple movement test will go a long way to help you find the right clothes that won't get in the way of your child's golf swing.
Checking Shoulder and Arm Mobility
To test if a shirt fits, have the child cross their arms over their chest and reach for the opposite shoulders. If it's too tight across the back or under the arms or if it's uncomfortable in any way then it's clearly too small. A shirt with a bit of stretch is preferable one that doesn't feel too tight on the shoulders and arms.
During the golf swing the kid needs to be able to turn their shoulders freely to get the club to the top of the backswing. That means the shirt needs to have plenty of room around the shoulders and underarms to allow for that movement. A good fit will allow the child to swing freely without pulling on the shirt or restricting their movement in any way.
Choosing the Right Fit for Golf Shorts and Pants
Children grow so quickly that you do want to have pants with an elastic waistband or adjustable waist tabs. That way they'll fit comfortably without the need for a tight belt and they'll be able to bend down, turn their hips and move around as they're having their lessons.
The length of the trousers also has an effect on the child's safety and freedom of movement. Long trousers should not quite touch the ground as they can cause the child to trip when walking on a slope or over grass. For shorts the length at or just above the knee is usually a good one as it enables the child to bend their knees quite easily and to maintain a comfortable golf stance.
Testing Clothes During a Golf Swing
The easiest way to check that a golf outfit fits is for your child to take a practice swing and hold the follow through. You're looking to see if the shirt is pulling out of the waistband and if the collar is in any way uncomfortable when they turn. If it's riding up and/or restricting movement in any way then your child will probably need a longer shirt or one made from a more stretchy fabric.
Clothing that is too loose can be just as uncomfortable as tight-fitting outfits when children play golf. Oversized shirts or baggy sleeves may interfere with arm movements and make it harder to swing the club smoothly. To avoid these issues, parents should choose golf clothing that fits comfortably without being too restrictive or excessively loose. A proper fit allows young golfers to rotate their shoulders, extend their arms, and complete a full golf swing naturally while staying comfortable during practice.
Choosing Breathable and Comfortable Fabrics
Soft cotton or cotton blend fabrics are good for short practice sessions in cooler weather. They're comfortable fabrics, particularly when the kids are just working on the basics like putting. The downside with cotton is that it takes longer to dry when the kids are sweating heavily and the shirt will therefore become quite heavy.
For longer practice sessions in hot weather, the best choice of clothing is a polyester spandex blend which will have good stretch and be a good moisture wicking fabric (will draw the sweat away from the skin and allow it to dry quickly). This will reduce the amount of friction against the skin as the child is moving around. In addition to comfortable clothing, a good fitting golf glove can also help with the child's grip on the club. Parents can refer to the guide on how to measure for kids golf glove to ensure they get the correct size.
Conclusion
Choosing the right golf outfit for your child needn't be all that difficult or expensive. When you're thinking about what to wear golfing kids, the key is to pick something that complies with the golf course dress code and at the same time keeps them comfortable. A lightweight, breathable polo shirt, some flexible shorts and a good pair of well-fitting athletic shoes are the basic requirements for a young beginner. The point of the outfit is to get the kids moving and to be able to work on their golf swings without being hampered in any way. With the right clothing they can concentrate on learning the skills, building their confidence and just having a good time on the course with the family.
To find more suitable golf clothing and accessories for kids, parents can explore the golf collection to make every golf practice session more comfortable and enjoyable.
