Best Golf Shirts for Men

Golf has been played in some form or another for several hundred years. With that sort of history comes a lot of traditions. One of the most visible heritages is the familiar and eponymous golf shirt.

Golf shirts are typically short-sleeved shirts made out of a breathable fabric. They tend to have a neat look headlined by a collar; most professional and even amateur golf courses and clubs require them. Because anyone even casually pursuing golf as a hobby will probably need to find a golf shirt, it is important to know the differences between the various options available:

Editor’s Choice

PGA TOUR Men’s Airflux Short Sleeve Solid Polo-Shirts

Pros: 

• Moisture wicking. This golf shirt is great for those who like golfing on hot days. The moisture-wicking fabric absorbs water from the body to be evaporated off of the shirt.
• Ventilated fabric. The shirt’s fabric is pocked with tiny holes that allow air to flow in and out of the shirt. This is helpful for staying cool when on the course.
• Ribbed collar. The collar of this line of golf shirts is woven with a vertical ribbing. This prevents the collar from curling while wearing or during the wash.

Cons:

• Snags easily. The fabric is woven in a way that is susceptible to snagging on zippers and other sharp corners and objects.
• Material is delicate. This material is thin and soft but can show signs of wear and tear more easily than other shirts.

The Contender

Under Armour Men’s Playoff Golf Polo

Pros: 

• Size range. This shirt is available in a rather large size range, spanning from XS all the way up to 4XL-tall. Every size from large to 4XL has tall options.
• Over 100 options. Unbelievably enough, there are close to 125 different color and pattern options available in this line. This is perfect for those who golf a lot and like to have some variety.
• Stretchy. This shirt is one of the stretchier golf shirts one can find. It allows great freedom of movement during swings and then returns back to its regular shape.

Cons:

• Tight fit. This shirt has a tight fit and may not be the most comfortable for all frames.
• Material is shiny. Some may find that the sheen on the shirts does not quite match their aesthetic. This is due to the nature of the synthetic fabric.

Best Material

Nike Men’s Dry Victory Solid Polo Golf Shirt

Pros: 

• Double knit. The polyester fabric is woven in what is called a double knit. This makes it more durable, wrinkle-resistant, and sturdy.
• Neck tape. The back collar of this shirt is lined with an extra layer of fabric, called a neck tape. This makes neck and shoulder motions cause less irritation on the skin.
• Sustainability. This line of golf shirts from Nike is made with 100% recycled polyester. This is great for those who are concerned with the sourcing of their personal effects.

Cons:

• Small. This bag might be more appropriate for younger kids as it runs on the smaller side.
• Sleeves are short. Though it is nice that the sleeves are made of a solid fabric, they may not be great for longer bats. The sleeves only go up about ¾ up the length of the backpack.

Best Classic Golf Shirt

Amazon Essentials Men’s Regular-fit Quick-Dry Golf Polo Shirt

Pros: 

• 3-button placket. This shirt has 3 buttons that run down the middle of the front collar placket. This helps the golfer find a fit that is most comfortable for them.
• Up to 40 UPF. The fabric is designed to protect against ultraviolet rays in a range of 20-40 depending on the color. 40 UPF coverage is higher than many other shirts provide.
• Cuffs. The cuffs on this shirt are unbanded, meaning there is less tight stitching around the biceps. This helps with range of motion during swings and putts.

Cons: 

• Wrinkles. This shirt can get wrinkled rather easily. Take care to fold, iron, or steam in order to keep a sharp look.
• Not as soft. The fabric used on this shirt is not quite as soft as other shirt options out there. This may be an issue in particular if the shirt is too tight.

Best Long Sleeve

Three Sixty Six Men’s Dry Fit Long Sleeve Polo Golf Shirt

Pros:

• Stretchy cuffs. Some golfers prefer a short-sleeve shirt because many long-sleeved golf shirts can hinder their swing. This shirt eliminates that problem by designing the cuff to be especially stretchy when lifting one’s arms.
• Hidden buttons. This shirt has a nice aesthetic for the placket; the buttons are hidden under a layer of fabric. This provides a nice clean look.
• Wrinkle-resistant. Those who get tired of ironing or steaming their golf shirts will like this offering. It is made of a wrinkle-resistant mix of materials (polyester and elastane).

Cons:

• Thin. The shirt material is not as thick as some other long-sleeved options. This shirt won’t provide enough warmth in too cold of weather.
• Small collar. The style of collar on this shirt is a little more narrow than other golf shirts. Not everyone will like this aesthetic.

How We Picked

Picking the wrong golf shirt can lead to some uncomfortable swings; even one afternoon 18 hole excursion wearing a shirt that is ill-fitting or not breathable enough can be discouraging. Thankfully there are loads of different options for golf shirts out there. Below please find our process for finding our favorites:

Collar

While the collar may seem like a relic of history, it is still an important part of most golf shirts. Most collars seen on golf shirts will sport a club-style design that features rounded points that lay flat without being stiff. Some golf collars more resemble polo shirt collars, which are a bit stiffer and sit higher on the back of the neck.

Collars are usually double-stitched and often with a ribbed knit in order to help it keep its form. Some brands employ the use of a back neck tape along the backside of the collar; this helps prevent irritation during swings. Those who really don’t like the feeling of a golf collar may find golf shirts that are collarless, but these may not be appropriate for all golf situations.

Fit

Golf shirts have a wide range of styles; some are rather loose-fitting while others contour to the body for a slim fit. There are potential benefits to both types of shirt; much of this will come down to personal preference. That being said, many times slim-fitting shirts may feel too constraining to people with certain frames.

Some lines of golf shirts have slim, tall, and plus-sized options for people of all sizes. Keep in mind that most golf shirts are designed in a way that has extra fabric at the bottom in order to properly tuck the shirt into pants. A golf shirt with extended length also helps from exposing the abdomen when taking big swings.

Material

Golf shirts are usually made out of polyester or some blend thereof, although that is not a set-in-stone rule. Golf shirts that are made of polyester are durable and dry quickly; many such shirts are advertised as being made of quick-dry material. Polyester-cotton blends or shirts made just of cotton may breathe a bit better, but may not hold up as well over time and don’t dry as quickly.

Polyester or polyester-blend golf shirts attack the ventilation issue by creating weaves that are semi-porous, allowing air to circulate in and out of the shirt. Another advantage of polyester golf shirts is that they are often blended with elastane or another stretchy synthetic fabric. This allows shirts to easily stretch and bend during swings and putts while returning to form afterwards. This can help make a tight-fitting shirt more comfortable.

Tips

Not sure which golf shirt is right for you? Take a look at some of the suggestions below as they may help guide your decision-making:

• What climate do you play golf in?
  • Those who play in a hot desert climate will need a shirt with great breathability and one that absorbs sweat and dries quickly.
  • Some may not be so fortunate. Those who only have a few warm months per year may want to invest in a thermal long-sleeved golf shirt.
• How much do you golf?
  • Those who not only hit up the links weekly but also spend time at driving ranges may want to have a diversity of shirts to use in various environments.
  • If you golf only casually and not-so-often, getting a cleanly-designed and well-made golf shirt that can be worn on any occasion may be the way to go.