Golfers allowed to wear shorts in practice

Abu Dhabi - Golfers on the European Tour have a new item of clothing to pack in their suitcases.

The tour will allow players to wear shorts during practice rounds and pro-ams after the policy was passed unanimously by a tournament committee in Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday.

Ian Poulter backed the move, tweeting on Wednesday: "Its 2016 not 1990. Get rid of the stuffy old rules that hold golf back. Make it more fun (for) everyone."

Players must still wear trousers in tournament play.

Lee Westwood and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke played practice rounds in shorts at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Tuesday. Westwood was among the European players to wear shorts at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last week.

Caddies can wear shorts on the PGA Tour, but not players.