Golf officials ‘stuck in 19th century’, says coach who lets children play in tracksuits

A junior golf coach says club officials are “stuck in the 19th century” after he was criticised for letting children play in tracksuit bottoms and hoodies.

Thomas Devine posted a picture on Twitter of some of his young students practising their putting.

And while many supported him, the image drew criticism from traditionalists for ignoring the sport's dress code.

“If they feel comfortable in trainers and a hoodie then that's the way we should allow them to dress,” he said.

Devine, who runs a ‘Future Elite' programme at Oulton Hall in Yorkshire, added: “It's important when these youngsters are six, seven, eight, that any barriers to them feeling interested in or enthused about golf are removed – and that involves the way they dress. If they feel comfortable in trainers and a hoodie then that's the way we should allow them to dress.

“At that age they just want to play. What's more, I believe we should remove the barrier of cost by allowing children to wear their everyday clothing. We are coaching 21st-century children – we are not stuck in the 19th century and only accepting the offspring of the privileged classes.

Devine regularly teaches more than 170 juniors, aged between five and 16, each week, and says he has has never had any complaints about the relaxed dress code.

“The irony of these people using a 21st-century technology to criticise those of us who are moving with the times and embracing change appears lost on them,” he said.

“We will continue to allow the youngsters to wear what they're comfortable in, whether it's trackie bottoms and a T-shirt or tailored golf trousers and a £60 branded polo.”

While the official rules of golf only outlaw clothing which can give players an advantage – for example, kinetic clothing which releases energy – many golf clubs enforce dress codes to maintain the ‘tradition' of the sport.

Golf authorities have said they are looking to modernise the game to make it more accessible. A new, easier to understand rulebook came into force in January while governing body the R&A last year outlined new plans to widen the sport's appeal and promised to invest £200m in doing so over the next decade.

The 2019 Open will be played at Royal Portrush, which has the following dress code:

• Shirts – Golf shirts must have collars, with either long or short sleeves. Rugby/football shirts are prohibited, as are any shirts carrying slogans, numbers or illustrations on apparel that are not golf-related. Collarless shirts, such as T-shirts of any variety, are not allowed.
• Long Trousers – Must be tailored and appropriate for golf. All types or colour of denim, military-style or camouflage-style trousers, combat trousers (multiple pockets), cut-offs or tracksuits are strictly prohibited.
• Shorts – Tailored Bermuda shorts ARE permitted on the Links and can be worn with white knee-length OR short socks. Shorts are NOT permitted in the Dining Room/Babington Room, but ARE permitted in The Dunluce Room, Locker Rooms, Club Shop and Balcony. Short shorts, training shorts and athletic shorts are NOT permitted.
• Shoes – Shoes designed for the purpose of playing golf only, ARE permitted. Hard and soft spikes ARE both permitted on the Links. Golfers are NOT permitted to wear training shoes on the Links. Golf shoes and training shoes ARE permitted in the Clubhouse, excluding Dining Room & Babington Room. Sandals, of any type, are NOT permitted on the Links. Any sandals/shoes worn in the Clubhouse, must be worn with socks (this applies to gentlemen only).
• Ladies Collarless shirts/tops must have sleeves and sleeveless shirts/tops must have collars and must have a modest neckline. Halter-neck tops are not permitted. Trousers, tailored Bermuda shorts, golf skirts/culottes are permitted.
• Caps – Caps are not permitted to be worn in the Clubhouse by either ladies or gentlemen.