Junior Golf Style Guide – What Do Kids Wear Golfing?

One refreshing thing more than a couple of decades of junior coaching has taught me: kids do NOT need to “look the part” to love golf.

I’ve coached more than a hundred children every week for years, and not many things frustrate me more than parents or kids thinking that clothing could be a barrier to their participation.

The real barrier when it comes young golfers is often more likely to be what adults think they should wear.

Parents sometimes worry their child will feel out of place if they’re not in branded gear or “proper” shoes. But the truth is simpler — the best golf clothes for kids are the ones they barely notice they’re wearing.

Anything that lets them move, stay comfortable, and enjoy themselves will do.

Golfing Focused Takeaways For Time Pressed Golfers

• Kids don’t need special golf clothes: Comfort and movement matter more than branded gear.
• Everyday activewear and trainers work perfectly: T-shirts, stretchy trousers or shorts and trainers with good grip are ideal for most juniors.
• Golf shoes and gloves are optional extras, not essential.
• Dress for the weather: layers for warmth or breathable fabrics for sun are more important than fashion.
• Keep it fun — let kids play their own version of golf.

What kids really need To play golf?

Before we talk about shirts, shoes or gloves, it’s worth remembering what children actually need to play golf.

Not prestige. Not performance fabric. Just the right foundations:

• Freedom of movement – if they can swing freely, they’ll have fun.
• Comfort – itchy, tight, or restrictive clothing leads to distraction.
• Weather appropriate layers – obvious, but often overlooked on windy British days.

Those three words — movement, comfort, weather — do far more for a child’s enjoyment than any logo ever could.

If you can tick those boxes, your child is already dressed perfectly for golf.

Everyday Clothes are More than Enough for Junior Golfers

So, what should kids wear golfing? In most cases, standard activewear works brilliantly.

A breathable polo or T-shirt, stretchy trousers or shorts, foot wear with a bit of grip — that’s the whole brief.

I’ve run entire school programmes in PE kits and playground shoes, and the coaching outcomes were exactly the same as in full golf outfits.

The real measure of success is whether they can run, swing, and laugh without feeling restricted.

And let kids express themselves.

Golf can feel formal to newcomers, and clothing often amplifies that. But kids connect with the game when they feel it belongs to them.

If a favourite colour, hat, or sporty outfit makes them feel like their idol — whether that’s a tour pro, a parent, or even a cartoon character — let them wear it.

And if a child wants to wear “traditional golf kit” like their football kit — polo shirt and smart shorts or trousers — great!

If it helps them feel the part that’s terrific. But it’s motivation, not a requirement.

Golf doesn’t need uniforms; it needs smiles. That sense of self-expression is part of building confidence and belonging.

Now Let’s Talk Footwear: Do kids need golf shoes?

Now let’s talk about feet — because questions around what shoes do kids wear to golf is one of the most common I hear from parents.

So do kids need golf shoes? For most young golfers the simple answer is no.

Golf shoes only become relevant when children start playing regularly outdoors on damp or sloped ground — usually the dedicated few who are already practising through the winter.

If that’s your child, they’re in that small five per cent of keen juniors who’ll genuinely benefit from the extra traction.

But for everyone else — and that’s the vast majority — trainers or athletic shoes are perfect.

The same ones they’d wear for PE or any other sport will work fine, provided they’ve got decent grip and comfort for walking.

They’re ideal for:

• Driving range sessions
• Indoor lessons
• Putting practice
• Dry-weather rounds.

Golf shoes are often outgrown long before they’re worn out, so unless your child is playing competitively or through wet months, save that money for range balls or ice cream afterwards.

Comfortable trainers let them move naturally — and that’s all they really need underfoot.

Hands and Grip: Do Kids Need Golf Gloves?

Another regular question I get relates to golf gloves and whether kids should wear them?

The answer again is only if they need to.

The main purpose of a golf glove for children isn’t to improve grip or performance — it’s to prevent blisters and sore hands.

A glove can therefore be helpful if:

• They’re practising frequently and rubbing blisters.
• They’ve started to get calluses.
• They simply like wearing one to copy their role model.

But in my experience, most juniors play perfectly happily without gloves. It’s another nice-to-have, not an essential.

If you do buy one though, focus on fit. A glove that’s too big can cause more harm than good by twisting or slipping during the swing.

Otherwise, bare hands are absolutely fine — and for beginners, they actually help kids feel how the club moves.

Weatherproofing the Golfing experience

Golf in many parts of the world – and in the UK especially – comes with an extra challenge: the weather!

It rarely agrees with a child’s playing or lesson time so whatever they wear, make sure you can add or remove layers easily.

For colder days:

• A lightweight fleece or windproof jacket.
• A stretchy base layer under the polo.
• A woolly hat (bonus points if it has a pom-pom).

For warmer days:

• Breathable fabrics and caps for sun protection.
• Lightweight shorts or skorts.
• A water bottle and sunscreen — often forgotten essentials.

The idea is to dress like they would for outdoor Physical Education (PE) classes — ready for anything, comfortable enough to swing.

If they’re spending half the lesson tugging sleeves or complaining of cold fingers, learning will take a back seat.

The hidden essential: Proper expectations!

Now for the bit that really matters — the mindset behind all this.

The most important thing kids need to play golf isn’t an outfit. It’s adults with realistic expectations.

Their version of golf might look nothing like yours — and that’s perfectly fine.

My own son Blake’s golf, who has autism and ADHD, is 50 balls at the range, all with the driver, followed by an ice cream.

That’s his golf, and I’m completely behind it because he’s engaging with the sport on his terms.

Your child’s version might be:

• Crazy golf on weekends
• A few swings in the garden
• Half a bucket at the range
• Riding the buggy for most of nine holes.

All of those count. They’re all golf experiences — and they’re all valid.

The moment we push them into our idea of “proper golf,” we risk taking away what makes the game fun for them.

So before we worry about shirts or shoes, let’s protect their enthusiasm. The rest will follow naturally.

Before You Go …

Golf clothing and apparel is of course not all kids need to play golf. They’re not going to get very far without golf clubs.

And the wrong clubs will kill a kid’s love for the game faster than any bad coaching ever could. So to help avoid this check out this next article.

Finding the Right Junior Golf Clubs for Every Age Group

More great articles related to this topic:

• A Little Coach’s Advice on What’s The Best Age to Start Golf
• A Master Coach’s Take on ‘Is Golf Good for Kids to Learn’?
• Forget Birthdays Regarding the Minimum Age for Golf Courses & Driving Ranges
• How Many Clubs Does a Beginner Need? Save Your Money to Start With!
• How Long Does a Round of Golf Take – for 1, 2, 3 & 4 Players?
• Should Beginners & High Handicappers Use a Driver? Yes & Yes
• Should a Beginner Get Golfer Fitted for Clubs? Focus On Enjoyment
• Going the Distance? How Far Should Beginners Hit A Golf Ball?
• How Much Do Golf Clubs Cost? A Giant Guide With 32 Examples
• Are Golf Shoes Worth It? Just Make Sure You’ve Got a Grip!
• How Much Should You Pay for Golf Lessons? A Complete Guide
• How Many Golf Lessons Do You Need? 3 is the Magic Number
• What Should You Wear Golfing? Do’s and Don’ts for Men & Women